Are You Leveraging Your Business Network?
Just yesterday I received an email from a colleague telling me her husband had been laid off from yet another corporate job. Will the downsizing ever stop? I doubt it. Most large corporations focus purely on the bottom line and employees are the biggest expense.
And sadly, many workers become lax at maintaining their professional network when they've worked with a company a while. With mass layoff announcements screaming at us every day in the news, having a dead or outdated business network can extend the time it takes to find a new position. And what about new grads? Without a business network, what is their hope of finding that prized position?
It's common knowledge that many jobs are filled through word of mouth networking, yet most job seekers begin their hunt without a strong business network. Having a dead, outdated or non-existent business network can extend the time it takes to find a job. And if you're in business for yourself, your business network is your key to success.
Whether you're shy or outgoing, business networking must be part of your marketing arsenal. You'll be successful if you are prepared. Here are a few keys to success.
- Before you go to a networking meeting, be prepared with a goal. Who do you want to meet? Why are you there? Have a conversation icebreaker ready to get to know the right people.
- At a networking lunch, don't reserve every seat and act like a grump if someone unfamiliar wants to sit at your table. Welcome the opportunity that a stranger presents. They may be your next customer.
- Treat referrals like gold. Contact the referral within a day, if possible. Let the referrer know how things went.
- Online, your email creates the first impression just like your physical presence does at face-to-face meetings. Be the business professional that you are.
Connections are crucial for business success, but it's not so much who you know as who knows you. How did you find your last business connection? You probably asked a few friends who they used. That's how business networking works. Make sure your network is alive and well.
Denise O'Berry is a small business expert and author of 101 Nuggets to Power Up Your Schmooze-Ability. Find out more at http://www.deniseoberry.com/101tips/
Powered by Feedzilla
Contact Us Today For Ad Information... Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... If you're new to the internet marketing club, you may... Read More Hospitality relates to the Latin term philoxenia, or "the love... Read More What is the biggest advantage of forming an alliance?Everyone has... Read More Real networking isn't about handing out business cards at a... Read More Put join a networking group on your to do list... Read More What happens when you meet a potential client at an... Read More Networking is often identified as a key business building activity... Read More There are people who are natural born networkers - those... Read More "The Networking Factor, Everyone is important!" This slogan reminds me... Read More June is reality check month. Lots of the resolutions have... Read More Why the business card grab is not why you are... Read More What makes a good interest story?An interest story is just... Read More You see him from across the room. You know him,... Read More Imagine you just met your ideal client at a networking... Read More Recently, while providing an up-and-coming Virtual Assistant (VA) and small... Read More Commandment 1LoveWhen we choose to simply love, our giving and... Read More Many people associate alcohol with relaxation and fun, so it... Read More Network marketing is the ordinary person's best opportunity to make... Read More My husband and I tried an experiment one night. We... Read More Do you use Ryze or LinkedIn to promote your web... Read More Networking is probably the oldest, easiest, most effective and least... Read More Most small business people do not take advantage of human... Read More When you look at your friends, it's like looking into... Read More One out of every ten Americans has a fear of... Read More Effective business promotion is more powerful than advertising. Using golf... Read More
Cheap Domain Names
Networking: What the Heck is a Ryze?
The 4 Attitudes of Awesome Hospitality
Alliances: More Than A One Way Relationship
Real Business Networking Doesnt Happen at Networking Events
Networking
Follow-Up with Your Contacts
Jump Start Your Network
How To Make Your Next Networking Event A Success
Mary Kay Ash Did It Best... (The Networking Factor)
How to Keep from Sounding LIKE Totally Stupid
How to Collect Business Cards
How to Create an Interest Story for the Press
Have We Met Before? What to Do When You Cant Remember Who Yourre Talking To
The Answer to Your Worst Networking Nightmare
Joining Industry Specific Organizations Has Many Benefits
The Foundation of Networking: Its Not Rocket Science
Alcohol & Events
Network Marketing
Give People Something to Talk About!
Strategic Networking: Take the Shortest Path to Success
Networking - How To Do It
It Pays to be Friendly
Is The Company You Keep Hurting Your Business?
Why Cant I Start A Conversation With You?
The Promotion Factor: Seven Strategies to Promote Yourself and Your Business by Playing Golf
Contact Us Today For Ad Information... As a single company, it is impossible to provide your... Read More "What me? Sell myself? You have to be joking!"This was... Read More Ever wonder if networking, referral groups, and conferences are a... Read More One of the best ways to get business is through... Read More In recent weeks, I've had the opportunity to pass along... Read More With at least 60% of job-seekers finding employment through networking,... Read More What is "the top" anyway? According to society, "top" has... Read More Defining your purpose for joining a group.When you make the... Read More Do you ever wonder why single people give flowers, wine,... Read More You can generate a ton of business by networking, whether... Read More It used to be that people said that there was... Read More Here are 34 affirmations I have created after studying the... Read More Do you use Ryze or LinkedIn to promote your web... Read More "Hey Scott, would you like to go to a Bad... Read More For those of you interested in international business transactions or... Read More The ability to connect with people is essential to success... Read More "It's not what you know, it's who you know."This old... Read More Quote of the week"The answer is always no...unless you ask."... Read More A value-added network can be achieved through explicit actions to... Read More Who needs a network of people to talk to about... Read More You approach a stranger at an association meeting or industry... Read More Some of the most successful businesses in existence today started... Read More There are people who are natural born networkers - those... Read More Sigmund Freud says "a person's name is the single context... Read More How does one determine which are the best events to... Read More
Affordable and Reliable Web
Hosting Starting
Five Steps for Expanding Your Customer Base with Guerilla Networking
Flying High, Flying Far
How NOT to Waste Your Time Networking
How to Gain Maximum Value from Your Networking Time
Hows Your Net Working?
Land the Ideal Job Using Social Networks
10 Terrific Tips to Talk Your Way to the Top
3 Reasons to Join a Group
Unforgettable First Impressions Part 4: Become a Social Gift Giver
Create a 10 Second Introduction From Your USP
Time to Hire a Professional Networker?
34 Power Affirmations for Networking with the Affluent
Strategic Networking: Take the Shortest Path to Success
How to Organize a Successful Bad Sweater Party
A New LinkedIn Discussion Forum for High Power Dealmakers
Five Stumbling Blocks To Successful Networking And How To Overcome Them
10 Steps to Successful Networking
Network Your Way to Success, and Remember: Its Not About You!
Value-Added Network
Develop a Great Network - Pay It Forward for Maximum Success
Building Business Relationships in a Roomful of Strangers
Make Money on the Internet - The Lifestyle Advantages of Professional Marketers
How To Make Your Next Networking Event A Success
10 Effective Ways to Remember Names
Which Networking Events Should You Attend?
Networking |