Networking Made Easy By Josh Hinds

Have you ever noticed that the term "networking" tends to conjure up all sorts of thoughts in ones mind? For some it's an uncomfortable term that makes them down right squeamish. This is pretty sad for several reasons. Not the least of which is that we all network in some respect -- it's just that some of us take the time to learn to do it more effectively than others. It's sort of like the old saying, everyone sells, whether they realize it or not. Well the same holds true for networking.

You see, at its very core networking is about making connections and building relationships -- both personal and professional plain and simple. The difference between someone who is skilled at networking and someone who is not is that one has taken the time to understand that the connection is not the means to an end -- and sadly the other hasn't. That is, great networkers don't make a connection with the thought in mind as to how they can benefit as a result. No, instead they look at it from a point of genuine interest in developing some sort of relationship with that particular person.

Surely, over time both parties may benefit as a result of the connection, however, that's not the initial reason for investing the time necessary to build a solid relationship with that person.

I'd like to share a few ideas that you can put into practice that will drastically improve the way you come across to someone you've just met -- which in turn will make you a much more effective networker.

First, accept that just about any time is a good time to make a new connection -- so long as you're not approaching it from a point of "what can I get from this person right now, and right here". That being said, any time you're in a close proximity to another person simply introduce yourself. For some this might seem to be out of sorts, but you'd be surprised at how many people are willing to strike up a conversation, especially when there's no pressure to do so.

Once you've gotten past the initial introduction, make a point to focus on the other person. You don't want to appear to pushy, but you can certainly ask the person you've just met a bit about themselves. The key is just making it fun.

Remember, this is not the time for hidden agendas. Simply let the other person answer the questions you ask of them and tell you about themselves. If they prefer to keep the conversation light, by all means keep it light.

If you're on the topic of what they do as a profession let them talk about what they do, and by all means resist the natural urge we all seem to have to start spouting off at the mouth about what you do.

People love to hear themselves talk, and if you'll allow them to do that, you'll be amazed by what a positive light it will put you in. It works, because so few people actually allow others the time to talk about themselves. Not easy to do, but when you get this, you'll be way ahead of the game!

Here's another important step, resist the urge to give the other person your business card. What you say? That's right, instead of focusing on giving your business card (which might just be discarded anyway -- seeing as how you have no real connection developed yet) ask for their card. By the way, I would be amiss if I didn't mention that my friend, speaker and author Bob Burg was the first person who mentioned this idea to me.

I've used it, or some form of it for years now, and it works like clockwork. That being said, I want to mention again, it's not meant as a trick or to be deceptive. It's simply a way of showing the other person at the initial point of contact that you're not like all the other folks who are simply focused on themselves first. And let me assure you, this is an enviable place to be in the mind of another person.

Ok, so now you have their business card, the next step you ask? Simply continue the conversation like you normally would. Enjoy the encounter. Heck, for all you know this person might end up being a valued friend. At this point there's no way of knowing what will evolve, so you may as well make a point to treat each person you meet as though they will be, right?

Now listen closely because this is where things are particularly important. I'm going to give you an example of what I do at this point of meeting someone and you can either copy my approach, or use some variant of it. Before I do I want to remind you of a saying I often use when I'm speaking to groups on the topic of effective networking or during the other personal development topics I speak on...

Personal development is a hands on project, what that means is, take the ideas you learn, apply them to your own life situation and by all means, discard the ones that don't resonate with you. No one has a lock on the "right way" to do something :-)

Now that I got my little disclaimer out of the way here's what I do...

Remember, that I've got the other persons business card. I make a point at the end of the day to look back through the cards (or notes) of people I've met and I take the time to write them a personal note. By the way, I have a postcard which includes my web addresses on them, with my name and the words: Author - Writer - Speaker.

The postcards aren't meant as a promotional piece, but rather as a way to stick out more in the mind of the person I'm writing to. You see, in my case, most folks will remember during our conversation what I do (even though I didn't focus on me) and if I didn't even mention it, well the card gently let's them know. That being said, the front side of the card isn't really what's important, what's important is what I write on the other side of the postcard -- the blank side :-)

On it I include a short note mentioning that it was good to meet them. I'll include a mention of where we met, to avoid leaving them wondering who in the heck this person is who has just contacted them.

Once again, on this initial follow up note I'm not asking them for anything at all. I'm simply letting them know that I enjoyed meeting them, where we met and letting them know that if I'm able to help them in any way in the future they are certainly welcome to contact me. This simple approach over time will position you in a very, very favorable place in the mind of those you meet. Plus, it opens up the door to building more solid long-term relationships with those you come into contact with. How so you ask? Because you can always repeat this simple idea ongoing from time to time.

Often I will drop notes just letting the other person know I was thinking about them, or if I ran across something that I think might be of interest to them. The possibilities are endless when it comes to using this idea to stay in contact.

In closing I'd like to urge you to use the lost art of letter writing to ignite the connections with those you come into contact with. You'll benefit greatly both professionally and personally for doing so.

Happy Networking, Josh Hinds
Speaker and Trainer

Btw. You can learn more about having me speak to your group at www.GetMotivation.com/speaker/

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Alan Smith Interview - CEO Oprius Software Inc

Alan Smith is the CEO of Oprius Software, a provider of simple, web- based sales tools for network marketing professionals. He was previously a senior partner in an aerospace engineering company and has worked with an international nonprofit organization raising funds and training leaders.

Josh: How do you define Business Networking and why do you feel it is important?

Alan Smith: Business Networking to me is the creation of symbiotic, mutually beneficial relationships. Many people make the mistake of thinking that networking is just showing up at a place with a lot of people, exchanging cards, and finding people that will help them get ahead. To be frank, I find most "Networking Events" to be fruitless unless there are already people that you know going to the event that you want to see and build a relationship with.

Real networking is the art of building long term relationships. This can't be done at an event and certainly takes a fair amount of time. It's not about how many people you can get to know, it's about how deeply you know them. Great relationships take time, and you need to take that time to allow the relationship to grow before you ever think of asking them to do something for you or participate in what you are doing.

Learning to network is one of the most important things you will ever do. I have never been involved in anything huge that has not been the work of multiple people. To accomplish anything in this world you need others and they need you. If you think you know it all, you're wrong and without input, partnership, and guidance from other people you will accomplish very little in your life.

Josh: Can you share one or two ideas that someone could put into practice that would help them to improve their business networking skills?

Alan Smith: Focus on the relationships you already have. The first step in being a great networker is to make sure that the relationships that you have are solid. Spend time getting to know the people you already network with so that they feel more like good friends than someone that you have to work with. Once you have solidified those relationships you will find that others naturally appear.

The people you know will start introducing you to other people and then all you have to do is follow up on them. It's about building relationships more than numbers. Once I know someone well and have a great relationship with them I can then ask them if there is anyone they think I should meet. This way it's not awkward and they know that I'm not just using them to get to someone.

Josh: Do you see any common mistakes people tend to make when it comes to attempting to make business connections? If so what are they and what corrections could they make in your opinion which would help them to be more effective in their approach towards networking?

Alan Smith: DON'T BE A USER! I see far to often people that view others as only a means to an end. I have seen people who strategize about how to get to a contact they want and then end up leaving a trail of broken relationships in their path. It's not about that. No matter where you go, what you do, or who you are, people are the most valuable things in your life.

I believe that you need to care about other people as much as you care about yourself. Get to know your contacts. I would even go as far as to say that depth is far more important than quantity when it comes to your relationships.

Josh: Your company Oprius Software has a unique system for helping people keep up with and manage contacts/customer relationships (note to readers: I'm on the advisory board, and use it myself) can you take a moment to tell us about it. For example, how did the idea come about and what are some of the features and benefits someone can expect to gain by using it.

Alan Smith: I think that our system is an amazingly simple tool for people to use to manage their relationships and sales campaigns. As you know our software is designed for people in the Network Marketing or MLM industry, which is all about relationships (note: it's also an excellent tool for people who operate in other industries outside of network marketing where they need to manage their contact relationships). Your contacts are the most valuable asset you have in that industry.

The idea started after one of the founders' friends got into the industry and couldn't find a piece of software that was simple to use, yet powerful enough to do what was needed. We decided that we would solve this issue with a hosted application that was simple to use and not so feature rich to be overwhelming.

A great example of this is the fact that we only use groups, not groups and categories like other software. Traditionally groups were only for contacts and categories were system wide. Instead of the user having to think ahead about when to use which system, we just made the software smart. It will treat your group however you decide to use it. We are also graduating the payment process so that you can start with the free offering and add more features as you need them. The free system is available now for use and for $5.00 a month you can add the email section to it with a list mailer. The rest of our feature set will be launched this summer.

We have worked very hard with our product advisory board to simplify every aspect of the software so you can spend your time doing what's important instead of sitting in front of your computer. I could go on and on about every aspect of the software, but people should just go check it out themselves. After all it's free! I am confident that they will find a powerful system that is simple to use and growing in functionality.

*brought to you by BusinessNetworkingAdvice.com.