Major League Networking

There can be many levels of networking depending on the ambitions and goals of the networker. In the big leagues, professionals and entrepreneurs can utilize networking to make some grand slams in their businesses or social endeavors. This is where the stakes for the game are higher and there is more space for playing the field. How can champion networkers move up to the next level with their objectives? How can they expand and develop their resources? How can they develop their network to an all star team?

Up the Stakes

For networkers to move up to the next level, they have to think bigger and play harder. Professionals should consider joining or being invited to exclusive clubs or organizations? Membership prices can sky rocket, but the potential of meeting class A players is a guarantee. In major cities, there are clubs which have hundreds of elite members and offer first quality events and services to their members.

Away Games

In order to find your ideal client, customer, vendor or partner may require a field trip. Individuals should not hesitate to travel to conferences, events and venues to meet their ideal network members. There are several areas which are known for attracting particular companies, individuals or business which can enhance anyone's networking endeavors. A popular lecture, professional or social event can easily attract the type of audience a person wishes to meet.

Read All About It

Advertising is another way to increase the flow of traffic and build the ideal network. Publicizing certain activities, new services and products in magazines, newspapers, billboards and internet ad banners are excellent ways of meeting people and companies. This form of mass marketing can build a personal or professional brand and gain instant credibility. It can also give the competition a run for their money.

Chi Chi Okezie is owner/producer of SIMPLEnetworking, LLC in Metro-Atlanta, GA. Newly published author of "SIMPLEnetworking: Creating Opportunities ... The new form of success!" View excerpts of the book and polish your professional approach: http://www.snseminars.com

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Networking Tips - 4 Easy Ways to Build an Effective Network

I can't emphasize enough how important it is for everyone to have a network and keep in contact with the people in it, but many people don't know how to do this well. Networks aren't something that you build by handing out business cards to everyone you meet. Networks are relationships. Not deep, BFF (best friends forever) relationships that are going to take all your time, but at least something that will ensure they remember who you are when you call. To avoid the inevitable panic that will accompany a job search in which you realize you have no one to go to for information, help, or support when you really need it, ALWAYS BE BUILDING YOUR NETWORK. However, having a resource like a good network will benefit you in good times, too.

No matter who you are, you already have current contacts. These aren't necessarily close relationships-acquaintances are fine. These are people who you have something in common with: you used to work with them, your spouse works with them, you went to school with them, you are/were in some kind of group with them...you get the idea. Make sure you have and maintain current e-mail addresses.

What do you do with your contacts?

1. Every 3-6 months, send a quick e-mail. You aren't asking anything of them, you're just saying "Hello." Your e-mail should say something like, "Hi, this is Peggy. It's been a long time since we've talked. I'm still at _______________, still doing _____________. If you need anything, please give me a call. Here are my phone numbers if you need to get in touch with me or give someone else my contact information if I can assist them." If you can (but you don't have to), offer something-an article you just read, some new industry info, something that might interest them personally. (No e-mail chain letters, please.) This will keep you in their minds so that when an opportunity DOES come up, they are likely to think of you.

2. Get more contacts. Sign up for LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, or other social networks. Join specific groups, where you can get posted on current blog posts, or join conference calls where you can give or get information. You also need to be on those so that you can be found by recruiters who might have the perfect job for you. As you add contacts, add them to your e-mail routine.

3. When you leave a company, ask your boss if he will give you a positive reference. If he will, get a personal e-mail address, too. If he leaves the company, you'll still be able to get in touch with him when you need the reference.

4. Be honest with your network. Everyone has problems-we all know that. I'm not saying we need to hear all the sordid details, but being honest about issues you have or situations you're dealing with just might lead to an otherwise missed opportunity. We don't always think of someone who tells us "everything's fine," but we all like to help someone if we can.

Peggy McKee is the owner and chief recruiter for PHC Consulting, a recruiting firm providing top sales talent, sales management, marketing and service / support personnel to some of the most prominent high growth companies in the medical and laboratory products industry for over 9 years!

We provide top talent (usually the top 10% of sales force rankings) and reduce turnover (through exceptional client knowledge and candidate screening) this in combination with our reputation for smoothly facilitating the hiring process makes us the search firm of choice in this arena.

For more information, see our website at http://phcconsulting.com

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Get the Right Business Networking Attitude

As a business owner, you understand how important it is to get new leads. Successful lead generation can bring thousands of dollars into your business and it is what will keep your business in the money. However, many business owners often have difficulty when trying to get new leads. In order to be successful, you have to get the right business networking attitude.

The first thing you must do in business networking is to be proactive. You must take the initiative and go after the leads. Many business owners often sit back and wait for the customers to come to them. This method may allow you to stay in business, but it is a guarantee that you won't make as money as you could if you enlisted a business networking strategy to get more leads.

Business networking will also require you to step outside of your comfort zone. You may feel completely comfortable answering emails from potential clients, but the minute someone wants you to return their call, you freeze. The age old expression of "practice makes perfect' is good advice. Anyone in business networking should take the time and practice their telephone etiquette and finalize what they would like to get across to their prospective customers.

With business networking, you must also learn not to take a rejection as a personal rejection against you. There is no way that everyone will want to purchase your product or pay you for your services. If you make a phone call and they hang up on you, you must not let this get you down. Business networking will not always be easy, but you will learn to take it in stride.

On the other end of scale, business networking also requires you to be patient, as well as persistent. Be prepared when you make that phone call. Come up with a list of objections the caller may use and write down what the appropriate response should be. Stick with it until you have given all of the information you can give them. If they still are saying no, follow up with then in a few days and ask if they have thought of any more questions. The more you make yourself available, the better your chances are of converting them to a sale.

In order for business networking to be successful, you must come up with a great introduction for yourself and your business. Callers who simply hear, "I'm trying to sell you something," are more likely to hang up on you than if you let them know you want to simply give them something. This something just happens to be information on how they can benefit from what you are offering.

Don't let business networking scare you out of potential sales. Practice your proposal with friends and family members and this will give you a chance to figure out what works and what doesn't. Business networking should be an important part of your marketing plan and if done correctly, can lead you to a prosperous income.

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