NO MORE NETWORKING
Networking is defined as: The action or process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts.Networking has become a numbers game that is being pursued by many in hopes of gaining some business. Social media has turned “networking” into a pushing the Accept button task. There is a miss connection in this process; having the most followers, i.e. loosely defined as successful networking, results in bragging rights “I have thousands of followers”. That does not mean that you are getting business from these networking connections.
There are also thousands of networking meetings occurring on a daily basis. Those attending are shaking hands, handing out cards and trying hard to make a worthwhile business connection. The result, in many cases is several shoeboxes filled with business cards that produce little or no meaningful results.
To really establish a meaningful connection you must first give with no expectation of receiving a return. The term “networking “has to be abolished and replaced with the BizQuack term “Giveworking©”.
- Person to person meetings are still the best way to establish a beneficial, win, win relationship. The greeting, however, is not let me tell you about my business and how you can help me, but instead, “How can I help you grow your business?” It doesn’t stop there, you must help, or make a connection that will help, that person.
- An on-line request to connect has to be more than a push of the “Accept” button. Before accepting, check out the person’s profile. If there is a potential for a relationship, make a call or send an e-mail asking them to review your profile and to opt in to your blog post or newsletter. If they take that first step you have a great chance for the establishment of a long term relationship.
New concepts are not easily accepted. Doing away with both the term “networking” and its “numbers game” method for gaining business will take some time. I do believe that in the long term, Giveworking©will become the most effective way for developing the relationships needed to grow a business.
Please call me when you are ready to start or attend a Giveworking© meeting.
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Tips & Advice by Nick Petra, CFP – Founder of Strategic Duck and BizQuack
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