We've talked on numerous occasions about the importance of setting goals in our networking practice — from short-term goals, such as the number of people you plan on meeting at an event, all the way to long-term goals such as your ultimate target for your networking — whether it be growing ...
A while ago, we talked about the many benefits of inviting a partner to attend a networking event with you. From keeping each other accountable to helping out with introductions, the combination of your networking skills will be much greater than the sum of the parts. So, now that I've ...
One of the things we talk about with respect to referrals is that the higher the risk associated with your business, the longer it takes before your network begins to take off. The classic example of this is just about anyone who works in the field of financial services.
Networking, like so many other pursuits has its own set of first-timer mistakes. If you are new to the practice, watch out for these misconceptions and you'll end up having an easier time of it. Today's mistake? Unrealistic business card expectations.When I first started networking, I would show up at ...
A couple of years ago I learned a valuable lesson about networking and (sometimes) letting go. I was attending the Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti Regional Chamber's Year Ender networking event. This is usually a huge blow-out. I don't know how many people were there that year, but I know we've easily hit ...
There's a myth in networking that goes something like: "The more people you meet, the more referrals you get." This would be technically correct if you added "All other things being equal" to the beginning of the sentence. Of course, the statement says nothing about the quality of those referrals. ...
Whether you are taking a moment to chat with an old friend or an acquaintance, or you are meeting a new connection for the very first time, one of the challenges of networking at an event is knowing how to end the conversation gracefully. Sometimes, because the other person isn't ...
"People tend to do business with those they know, like, and trust." How many times have we heard that particular phrase? Of course, it's true, so that's probably why it gets trotted out so often. Still, ironically, a lot of people have problems with the concept. Their biggest challenge? They ...
Staying in touch with your network goes a lot easier with tools and systems to assist. When I work with a client, I recommend setting up a simple tickler file to help keep track of their contacts. It's a simple but awesome tool that you can tweak to fit your ...
A lot of people have a hard time walking into a networking event all by themselves. To them it feels as if all eyes are upon them and they are vastly outnumbered. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to walk in with a friend instead? Suddenly you aren't in ...
I'm a strong proponent of setting goals in your networking practice. Starting with simple goals for attending events, to larger ones about the levels you will reach on your networking scorecard, goals help us achieve the levels of networking activity that we need to accomplish what we desire in life. ...
Your strength and focus in networking runs in cycles. There are times when you are really revving and you'll attend three events in a day, contact thirty people on your tickler list, and throw in a one-to-one meeting or three on top of it all. And then there are those ...
A lot of people are walking around out there who think they have wide-reaching and deep networks. Their position in their company places them in regular contact with a wide variety of people who know them and are always happy to say hello. What they don't realize is that their ...
We've talked quite often about joining and participating in networking groups. The events that these organizations put on can be a font of new contacts whom you can develop into strong networking partners. So why would you ever quit? Actually, there can be any number of reasons. Even if you've ...
One of the strange side effects of networking in the business world is that many of the folks you talk with are going to assume that you are trying to sell to them. Even the simple phrase "Let me know if I can help out with anything" takes on a ...
Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com AnnArbor.com's partner news site MLive.com is on a quest to find the best barbecue in ......
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