Bigg Successnetworker | Bigg Success http://biggsuccess.com Life On Your Own Terms Fri, 25 May 2012 12:00:08 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 2006-2011 bigginfo@biggsuccess.com (Bigg Success) bigginfo@biggsuccess.com (Bigg Success) posts 1440 Life On Your Own Terms Bigg Success Bigg Success bigginfo@biggsuccess.com No no http://biggsuccess.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Showlogo-144_144.jpg Bigg Success http://biggsuccess.com 144 144 Merge Your Networking Worlds http://biggsuccess.com/2008/08/05/merge-your-networking-worlds/ http://biggsuccess.com/2008/08/05/merge-your-networking-worlds/#comments Tue, 05 Aug 2008 05:30:34 +0000 George Krueger & Mary-Lynn Foster http://biggsuccess.com/?p=1123 balancingWe were recently invited by Jon Gatrell to be guest posters on his Spatially Relevant blog. We wrote about networking – both online and offline.

What sparked our post is a friend of ours who says she thinks social media is a waste of time. We can see her point – she has a stable job in a city she’ll probably never leave. She’s active in her community so she does do plenty of networking. She also cares for a young family at home.

.

.

She’s not alone in her opinion. There’s no doubt that online networking benefits some more than others. But we think everybody should at least dip their toes into the water.

Online networking makes it easy to find people that you may not have talked with in some time. Like that colleague at your first job who’s now the President of a company.
You can catch up, keep up, and meet up.

We have another friend who said that if he hadn’t talked to someone in twenty years or so, he didn’t need to talk to them now! 

.

marylynn I disagree. A prime example – I’m catching up with some of my old high school classmates. It’s interesting to see what businesses they’re in now. Some of them are in similar businesses to what we’re doing here at Bigg Success. So we can talk and help each other with some of the ins and outs of the business.

.

.

georgeIt’s easier for me to keep up with people using social media. I know me – I’m not going to write a letter. I’ve probably lost their phone number years ago. Their e-mail address may have changed and I forgot to note it. Social media is just a great way to stay in touch.

.

It’s also important to build relationships offline as well. We’ve learned this – Bigg Success is, of course, an online business – but we found that it’s vital to meet people offline as well.

In fact, we met Jon, and his wife Emily, at a conference. We liked them instantly! Since we met them offline, we got to know their full personalities in a way that wouldn’t have been possible online. However, we’ve been able to keep in touch with them because of the online world.

The power comes from merging the two

When we hear about a merger in the corporate world, the word “synergy” usually comes up – the whole is greater than the parts. We think the same thing happens when you merge your networking worlds.

To take this one step further, think about marketing principles. You don’t just use one form of marketing in a campaign; you use a combination to create better results.

And networking is marketing – at least that’s part of the reason we all network. By putting the two together, the results will be better than if you just use one forum. You have two hands … why wouldn’t you use them both?

The bottom line – online or off – it’s all about people and building relationships. 

Subscribe to The Bigg Success Show in iTunes. 

Subscribe to the Bigg Success feed.  

Related posts 

Relationship Building Blocks

5 Laws of Stratospheric Success

3 Keys to Effective Networking

(Image by bjearwicke)

]]> http://biggsuccess.com/2008/08/05/merge-your-networking-worlds/feed/ 3 00:01:01 We were recently invited by Jon Gatrell to be guest posters on his Spatially Relevant blog. We wrote about networking #8211; both online and offline. ... We were recently invited by Jon Gatrell to be guest posters on his Spatially Relevant blog. We wrote about networking #8211; both online and offline. What sparked our post is a friend of ours who says she thinks social media is a waste of time. We can see her point #8211; she has a stable job in a city she#8217;ll probably never leave. She#8217;s active in her community so she does do plenty of networking. She also cares for a young family at home. . . She#8217;s not alone in her opinion. There#8217;s no doubt that online networking benefits some more than others. But we think everybody should at least dip their toes into the water. Online networking makes it easy to find people that you may not have talked with in some time. Like that colleague at your first job who#8217;s now the President of a company. You can catch up, keep up, and meet up. We have another friend who said that if he hadn#8217;t talked to someone in twenty years or so, he didn#8217;t need to talk to them now!#160; . I disagree. A prime example #8211; I#8217;m catching up with some of my old high school classmates. It#8217;s interesting to see what businesses they#8217;re in now. Some of them are in similar businesses to what we#8217;re doing here at Bigg Success. So we can talk and help each other with some of the ins and outs of the business. . . It#8217;s easier for me to keep up with people using social media. I know me #8211; I#8217;m not going to write a letter. I#8217;ve probably lost their phone number years ago. Their e-mail address may have changed and I forgot to note it. Social media is just a great way to stay in touch. . It#8217;s also important to build relationships offline as well. We#8217;ve learned this #8211; Bigg Success is, of course, an online business #8211; but we found that it#8217;s vital to meet people offline as well. In fact, we met Jon, and his wife Emily, at a conference. We liked them instantly! Since we met them offline, we got to know their full personalities in a way that wouldn#8217;t have been possible online. However, we#8217;ve been able to keep in touch with them because of the online world. The power comes from merging the two When we hear about a merger in the corporate world, the word #8220;synergy#8221; usually comes up #8211; the whole is greater than the parts. We think the same thing happens when you merge your networking worlds. To take this one step further, think about marketing principles. You don#8217;t just use one form of marketing in a campaign; you use a combination to create better results. And networking is marketing #8211; at least that#8217;s part of the reason we all network. By putting the two together, the results will be better than if you just use one forum. You have two hands ... why wouldn#8217;t you use them both? The bottom line #8211; online or off #8211; it#8217;s all about people and building relationships.#160; Subscribe to The Bigg Success Show in iTunes.#160; Subscribe to the Bigg Success feed.#160;#160; Related posts#160; Relationship Building Blocks 5 Laws of Stratospheric Success 3 Keys to Effective Networking (Image by bjearwicke) Networking,,Uncategorized bigginfo@biggsuccess.com no No How to Get Noticed in Job Market 2.0 http://biggsuccess.com/2008/07/07/how-to-get-noticed-in-job-market-20/ http://biggsuccess.com/2008/07/07/how-to-get-noticed-in-job-market-20/#comments Mon, 07 Jul 2008 05:30:55 +0000 George Krueger & Mary-Lynn Foster http://biggsuccess.com/?p=997 Today on The Bigg Success Show, we welcomed Phil Rosenberg. Phil is the founder of reCareered, a career coaching service that helps job searchers get past the biggest challenge in today’s competitive jobs market – to get noticed.

 

Phil, what does reCareered mean?

 

 

It means someone who is seeking a job change, or trying to revitalize their career, or someone who is between jobs and wants help with how the job markets have changed in the last eight years or so.

 

How has the job market changed?

 

 

Eight years ago, the majority of resumes were delivered on paper. Around 2000, it changed to where most resumes were delivered digitally.

 

And how does that change the resume itself?

 

 

It changes it completely. The paper-based resume had to be static. The only way to customize it was by a cover letter. A digital resume can be searched. It also increased the number of resumes that went into most companies, by as many as ten-fold.

 

We always hear about search engine optimization and how you want to rank at the tops of the pages for Google. But apparently you can do the same for your resume … it can be optimized?

 

You bet, and it’s especially critical in today’s world. Most major employers get thousands of resumes for each job, but they only staff to look at twenty to thirty. That’s two to three percent. So your goal, in submitting your resume today, is getting to the top two or three percent. Through resume search optimization, you can manage that process rather than have it be random. My strategy with my clients is to make a resume a single-use document – to have it infinitely customizable so that you’re gaming the search engine and forcing it higher up the search page.

 

How do we make a good impression right upfront?

 

 

There’s been research from the University of Toledo and Stanford University that states that interview decisions are made within the first two to thirty seconds. That blew me away. The rest of the interview is just somebody justifying their initial decision. So it’s a “gut feel” decision that may occur even before you shake hands. It’s all about preparation. Learn about your client – how they communicate (verbally and non-verbally), how they dress, how they look. If you want a job, go to a place that’s close to their office and sit there during lunch. Talk to people from that company who are getting lunch there. On a Friday night, go to Happy Hour at a bar close to their office and talk to people from that company. When you talk to them, watch their body movements. What’s the tone they use? What’s the speed they use to talk? You can also do that with their written communication – their web site, annual reports, press releases. The key to all this is communicating to your audience that it seems like you already work there.

 

It reminds me of the book, Guerilla Selling. It’s all about learning about your customer, in that case, but in the case the employer you’re going after – getting as much information as you can, wherever you can. It’s amazing how much information you can gather.

 

Sure. That’s also an effective way to use LinkedIn, Facebook or your own personal network. Chances are you have contacts within that company. A lot of people only use those contacts to see what jobs are available and to ask them to pass their resume along. They leave out some of the greatest uses of a network – talking to people within an organization to find out what an organization is like and what the communication style is like. Listening for how they’re answering questions rather than just what they’re saying.

 

This is fantastic advice because you do want to fit in. It’s all about mimicking. When you’re at an interview, should you sit up straight and lean forward or should you try to have your body language be similar to the body language of the interviewer? From what I’ve read, you should try to mimic that person.

 

That’s exactly what you’re doing – it’s called mirroring. You’re trying to show that you fit in. You speak the same language. You’re really trying to act like you already work at the company. It takes a ton of preparation. A lot of people aren’t willing to put that preparation in, but the people who do get a huge, almost an unfair, advantage.

Phil's links

You can get free daily job tips from Phil at his blog or visit his main site, reCareered, the place for resume search optimization and job search 2.0. 

Subscribe to The Bigg Success Show in iTunes. 

Subscribe to the Bigg Success feed.

]]> http://biggsuccess.com/2008/07/07/how-to-get-noticed-in-job-market-20/feed/ 1 00:01:01 Today on The Bigg Success Show, we welcomed Phil Rosenberg. Phil is the founder of reCareered, a career coaching service that helps job searchers get ... Today on The Bigg Success Show, we welcomed Phil Rosenberg. Phil is the founder of reCareered, a career coaching service that helps job searchers get past the biggest challenge in today#8217;s competitive jobs market #8211; to get noticed.#160; Phil, what does reCareered mean? #160;#160; It means someone who is seeking a job change, or trying to revitalize their career, or someone who is between jobs and wants help with how the job markets have changed in the last eight years or so. #160; How has the job market changed? #160;#160; Eight years ago, the majority of resumes were delivered on paper. Around 2000, it changed to where most resumes were delivered digitally. #160; And how does that change the resume itself? #160;#160; It changes it completely. The paper-based resume had to be static. The only way to customize it was by a cover letter. A digital resume can be searched. It also increased the number of resumes that went into most companies, by as many as ten-fold. #160; We always hear about search engine optimization and how you want to rank at the tops of the pages for Google. But apparently you can do the same for your resume ... it can be optimized? #160; You bet, and it#8217;s especially critical in today#8217;s world. Most major employers get thousands of resumes for each job, but they only staff to look at twenty to thirty. That#8217;s two to three percent. So your goal, in submitting your resume today, is getting to the top two or three percent. Through resume search optimization, you can manage that process rather than have it be random. My strategy with my clients is to make a resume a single-use document #8211; to have it infinitely customizable so that you#8217;re gaming the search engine and forcing it higher up the search page. #160; How do we make a good impression right upfront? #160;#160; There#8217;s been research from the University of Toledo and Stanford University that states that interview decisions are made within the first two to thirty seconds. That blew me away. The rest of the interview is just somebody justifying their initial decision. So it#8217;s a #8220;gut feel#8221; decision that may occur even before you shake hands. It#8217;s all about preparation. Learn about your client #8211; how they communicate (verbally and non-verbally), how they dress, how they look. If you want a job, go to a place that#8217;s close to their office and sit there during lunch. Talk to people from that company who are getting lunch there. On a Friday night, go to Happy Hour at a bar close to their office and talk to people from that company. When you talk to them, watch their body movements. What#8217;s the tone they use? What#8217;s the speed they use to talk? You can also do that with their written communication #8211; their web site, annual reports, press releases. The key to all this is communicating to your audience that it seems like you already work there. #160; It reminds me of the book, Guerilla Selling. It#8217;s all about learning about your customer, in that case, but in the case the employer you#8217;re going after #8211; getting as much information as you can, wherever you can. It#8217;s amazing how much information you can gather. #160; Sure. That#8217;s also an effective way to use LinkedIn, Facebook or your own personal network. Chances are you have contacts within that company. A lot of people only use those contacts to see what jobs are available and to ask them to pass their resume along. They leave out some of the greatest uses of a network #8211; talking to people within an organization to find out what an organization is like and what the communication style is like. Listening for how they#8217;re answering questions rather than just what they#8217;re saying. #160; This is fantastic advice because you do want to fit in. It#8217;s all about mimicking. When you#8217;re at an interview, should you sit up strai Personal,Branding bigginfo@biggsuccess.com no No Beyond Networking http://biggsuccess.com/2008/06/30/beyond-networking/ http://biggsuccess.com/2008/06/30/beyond-networking/#comments Mon, 30 Jun 2008 05:30:06 +0000 George Krueger & Mary-Lynn Foster http://biggsuccess.com/?p=969 Today on The Bigg Success Show, we welcomed Melissa Giovagnoli. Melissa is an author, speaker, coach and entrepreneur. Of her 11 books, four have been on the best seller’s list and one was featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show. She is one of the world’s leading experts on networking and has appeared on The Today Show, CNN, CNBC, and Fox. She was recently named the “best networker in Chicago” by Crain’s.


Networking vs. Networlding

We asked Melissa for her best networking tip. She says not to think of it as networking, but think of it as networlding, which is the title of one of her books. Networlding expands opportunities rather than limiting them.

As a networker, you might set a goal of meeting two people. If you’re a networlder, you would set a goal of meeting two people who you can form a long-term relationship with and build opportunities for you, for them, and for the greater good.

The “overstuffed Rolodex syndrome”

Many people confuse activity with accomplishment. You leverage your network by thinking about who would be good connections for you. Start with people who have complementary values. With the online world, you can have quality and quantity by being specific about what you ask for to create a vibrant exchange.

7 levels of support

Networking isn’t about taking. It’s also not about just giving. You can support people:  

  • Emotionally
  • By providing information
  • By providing knowledge (information plus experiences)
  • By promoting them
  • Through wisdom sharing (the 20 percent that will yield 80 percent)
  • By creating transformational opportunities
  • Community (creating the greatest good for the greatest number)

Links to Melissa’s sites

networlding2.org
This is Melissa’s most interactive community. The goal is for members to support each other in achieving their respective goals. You can create your own profile and build your own private circle around your special interest.

Networlding E-Learning
Here you’ll get six FREE lessons on networking for business and sales or networking for jobs.

Melissa will also help you with writing a book. If you’re really serious about it, contact her.

Subscribe to The Bigg Success Show in iTunes. 

Subscribe to the Bigg Success feed.

Related posts

Relationship Building Blocks

5 Laws of Stratospheric Success

3 Keys to Effective Networking

The Two Most Powerful Words You Can Use

The Other Pause that Refreshes 

]]> http://biggsuccess.com/2008/06/30/beyond-networking/feed/ 4 00:01:01 Today on The Bigg Success Show, we welcomed Melissa Giovagnoli. Melissa is an author, speaker, coach and entrepreneur. Of her 11 books, four have been ... Today on The Bigg Success Show, we welcomed Melissa Giovagnoli. Melissa is an author, speaker, coach and entrepreneur. Of her 11 books, four have been on the best seller#8217;s list and one was featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show. She is one of the world#8217;s leading experts on networking and has appeared on The Today Show, CNN, CNBC, and Fox. She was recently named the #8220;best networker in Chicago#8221; by Crain#8217;s.Networking vs. NetworldingWe asked Melissa for her best networking tip. She says not to think of it as networking, but think of it as networlding, which is the title of one of her books. Networlding expands opportunities rather than limiting them.As a networker, you might set a goal of meeting two people. If you#8217;re a networlder, you would set a goal of meeting two people who you can form a long-term relationship with and build opportunities for you, for them, and for the greater good.The #8220;overstuffed Rolodex syndrome#8221;Many people confuse activity with accomplishment. You leverage your network by thinking about who would be good connections for you. Start with people who have complementary values. With the online world, you can have quality and quantity by being specific about what you ask for to create a vibrant exchange.7 levels of supportNetworking isn#8217;t about taking. It#8217;s also not about just giving. You can support people:#160;#160; EmotionallyBy providing informationBy providing knowledge (information plus experiences)By promoting themThrough wisdom sharing (the 20 percent that will yield 80 percent)By creating transformational opportunitiesCommunity (creating the greatest good for the greatest number)Links to Melissa#8217;s sitesnetworlding2.org This is Melissa#8217;s most interactive community. The goal is for members to support each other in achieving their respective goals. You can create your own profile and build your own private circle around your special interest.Networlding E-LearningHere you#8217;ll get six FREE lessons on networking for business and sales or networking for jobs. Melissa will also help you with writing a book. If you#8217;re really serious about it, contact her.Subscribe to The Bigg Success Show in iTunes.#160; Subscribe to the Bigg Success feed.Related postsRelationship Building Blocks5 Laws of Stratospheric Success3 Keys to Effective NetworkingThe Two Most Powerful Words You Can UseThe Other Pause that Refreshes#160; Business,,Networking bigginfo@biggsuccess.com no No Quit Jumping on Me Like a Dog! http://biggsuccess.com/2008/05/12/quit-jumping-on-me-like-a-dog/ http://biggsuccess.com/2008/05/12/quit-jumping-on-me-like-a-dog/#comments Mon, 12 May 2008 06:30:58 +0000 George Krueger & Mary-Lynn Foster http://biggsuccess.com/2008/05/12/quit-jumping-on-me-like-a-dog/ We send out a Bigg Salute to Chris Brogan for coining this phrase and letting us run with it. He was describing a situation with an overly aggressive salesperson he had just met. This person was trying to win Chris’s business. As Chris said, “This guy wouldn’t quit jumping on me like a dog … and my tail wasn’t wagging!”

So if you don’t want to “jump on people like dogs”, here are four tips to keep in mind.

#1 – Don’t get too revved up.
It’s understandable that you’re excited about what you do. But they may not be as excited as you. At least not at this point. Look for cues. If they’re responsive to what you’re saying, then keep going. But if not, back off.

#2 – Don’t just pitch, pitch, pitch.
When you meet someone for the first time, get to know them. Start building a relationship. What are their interests? If you start the conversation by talking about them, you will almost certainly be invited to tell them what you do. When you are, keep it short. What’s your elevator speech?

#3 – Don’t go for an immediate sale.
Know what you want to accomplish, but keep it reasonable. It’s a step-by-step process. If you exchange business cards, and have a brief conversation, that may be a great start. Now you can follow-up and try to get to the next step.

#4 – Assume that now is a great time for them to talk to you in depth.
You don’t know what’s on their mind. What kind of day they’ve had. What kind of mood they’re in. Wouldn’t you rather talk to them about what your offer when they can give it the attention it deserves? Talk to them when they can give you 100% of their attention!

What internet marketers know about building relationships
Internet marketers ask us to “opt-in” … they get our permission to market to us by asking for our e-mail. You can do the same thing in person. Tease what you can do and then ask for permission to follow-up. If they say “No” … don’t sweat it. Someone else will say “Yes!” 

You can opt-in to our newsletter so you’re the first to see what’s new and notable on Bigg Success. Plus you’ll get our
goal-setting workbook. It’s all FREE!

Our bigg quote today is by Bob Burg:

"The successful networkers I know, the ones receiving tons
of referrals and feeling truly happy about themselves,
continually put the other person's needs ahead of their own."

So don’t jump on people like dogs because that dog won’t hunt!

Next time, we’ll discuss how to get in the loop to gain a competitive advantage. Until then, here’s to your bigg success!

Subscribe to The Bigg Success Show in iTunes.

Related posts 

The Other Pause that Refreshes

The Best Way to Build Your Personal Brand

Take the Work Out of Networking

Relationship Building Blocks

The Two Most Powerful Words You Can Use

3 Keys to Effective Networking 

(Image by clix)

]]> http://biggsuccess.com/2008/05/12/quit-jumping-on-me-like-a-dog/feed/ 3 00:01:01 We send out a Bigg Salute to Chris Brogan for coining this phrase and letting us run with it. He was describing a situation with ... We send out a Bigg Salute to Chris Brogan for coining this phrase and letting us run with it. He was describing a situation with an overly aggressive salesperson he had just met. This person was trying to win Chris#8217;s business. As Chris said, #8220;This guy wouldn#8217;t quit jumping on me like a dog ... and my tail wasn#8217;t wagging!#8221;So if you don#8217;t want to #8220;jump on people like dogs#8221;, here are four tips to keep in mind.#1 #8211; Don#8217;t get too revved up.It#8217;s understandable that you#8217;re excited about what you do. But they may not be as excited as you. At least not at this point. Look for cues. If they#8217;re responsive to what you#8217;re saying, then keep going. But if not, back off. #2 #8211; Don#8217;t just pitch, pitch, pitch.When you meet someone for the first time, get to know them. Start building a relationship. What are their interests? If you start the conversation by talking about them, you will almost certainly be invited to tell them what you do. When you are, keep it short. What#8217;s your elevator speech? #3 #8211; Don#8217;t go for an immediate sale.Know what you want to accomplish, but keep it reasonable. It#8217;s a step-by-step process. If you exchange business cards, and have a brief conversation, that may be a great start. Now you can follow-up and try to get to the next step. #4 #8211; Assume that now is a great time for them to talk to you in depth.You don#8217;t know what#8217;s on their mind. What kind of day they#8217;ve had. What kind of mood they#8217;re in. Wouldn#8217;t you rather talk to them about what your offer when they can give it the attention it deserves? Talk to them when they can give you 100% of their attention!What internet marketers know about building relationshipsInternet marketers ask us to #8220;opt-in#8221; ... they get our permission to market to us by asking for our e-mail. You can do the same thing in person. Tease what you can do and then ask for permission to follow-up. If they say #8220;No#8221; ... don#8217;t sweat it. Someone else will say #8220;Yes!#8221;#160; You can opt-in to our newsletter so you#8217;re the first to see what#8217;s new and notable on Bigg Success. Plus you#8217;ll get our goal-setting workbook. It#8217;s all FREE! Our bigg quote today is by Bob Burg:#34;The successful networkers I know, the ones receiving tonsof referrals and feeling truly happy about themselves,continually put the other person#39;s needs ahead of their own.#34;So don#8217;t jump on people like dogs because that dog won#8217;t hunt!Next time, we#8217;ll discuss how to get in the loop to gain a competitive advantage. Until then, here#8217;s to your bigg success!Subscribe to The Bigg Success Show in iTunes. Related posts#160;The Other Pause that RefreshesThe Best Way to Build Your Personal BrandTake the Work Out of NetworkingRelationship Building BlocksThe Two Most Powerful Words You Can Use3 Keys to Effective Networking#160;(Image by clix) Business,,Communication,,Networking,,Relationships bigginfo@biggsuccess.com no No 3 Keys to Effective Networking http://biggsuccess.com/2008/03/10/3-keys-to-effective-networking/ http://biggsuccess.com/2008/03/10/3-keys-to-effective-networking/#comments Mon, 10 Mar 2008 06:13:24 +0000 George Krueger & Mary-Lynn Foster http://biggsuccess.com/2008/03/10/3-keys-to-effective-networking/ networking 

On The Bigg Success Show today, we were thrilled to chat with Josh Hinds. Josh is the author of Why Perfect Timing is a Myth: Tips for Staying Inspired and Motivated Day in and Day out. He is the master mind behind Get Motivation, Business Leadership Advice, Sales Training Advice, Goals Success, and Business Networking Advice. To date, he has interviewed over 100 leading online business people.

Here are the highlights of the conversation: (Or, just click the  button above to hear it)

George: Josh, with all you do, how do YOU have any time to network?

Josh: It’s so funny that you asked that because it’s just about having fun day-to-day and making it a regular part of your schedule.

A lot of being a great networker is doing things that will ingratiate us in other people’s minds. Look for ways to be helpful, to do cool things that they appreciate. Then you’ll create what I refer to as “positive mindshare.”

When somebody runs into somebody with a need, if you have positive mindshare with that person, you’re going to automatically come to mind. They’ll recommend you.

George: Sort of like Stephen Covey’s “emotional bank account” … you’re building goodwill.

Josh: Absolutely. The only thing wrong with Mr. Covey’s statement is that I didn’t think of it!

Mary-Lynn: In your interviews, there seems to be three common themes. What are they?

Josh: The first one is that you have to build your network before you need your network.

George: We say you have to be just one step removed. If I know somebody who knows somebody, they can help me. But beyond that, there’s no connection.

Josh: That’s such a great example. Ultimately, you have to build some sort of rapport. I don’t want this to sound cruel, but every single day we have people asking for our help. It’s not that we don’t want to help everybody we can. It’s just that there isn’t enough to go around.

So the people we’re closest with get precedence. You need to pile on value so that when you have a need, they’re willing to help you if they’re able. So the second key is you have to be the person that people want to do business with.

It can take a little time. Perfect example – every day, I’m surfing the web and running across things that are interesting to me. Of course, I also know people who would be interested as well. So I’ll send that resource. That’s networking!

Now a lot of people don’t think it is. Because they have a narrow focus – here’s what I do, here’s my business card, slap your back, shake your hand, me … me … me.

Mary-Lynn: So it boils down to thinking about the person you’re networking with as a person, not just a connection.

George: So Josh, what’s the third key to effective networking?

Josh: We’ve touched on this – it’s building up value in the eyes of the people you meet. Say you have a professional relationship with someone who says, “Hey, here’s a referral.”

One approach would be to thank them, but also take the time to send a note to report back on what happened. They may not expect that. It will make you stand out as somebody who does a little more.

A good friend of mine, a fellow by the name of Bob Burg, just co-authored a book called The Go-Giver. It’s fantastic and it gets on that topic.

Mary-Lynn: We’ll have to look that up!

Josh: I’d love to connect you to him.

Mary-Lynn: Look at what’s happening right here, right now.

Josh: That’s the thing. And the important lesson is that it wasn’t premeditated. We were just having a conversation. If something comes out of it … wonderful. It’s not a forced thing. It’s just a fun process.

George: That’s why we say — think of it as netplaying, not networking.

Josh: Oh, I love that … but you know what I’m going to say?

Mary-Lynn: Yes … you hate that you didn’t think of it, right?

Josh: Exactly!

Thanks so much, Josh for sharing your time and wisdom with all of us!

Our bigg quote today comes from Chuck Brodsky, who said,

“We are each other’s angels; we meet when it is time.”

Since we don’t know when it’s time, you have to network all the time.

Next time, we’ll discuss 7 things you must learn in college that college won’t teach you. Until then, here’s to your bigg success!

Subscribe to the Bigg Success feed.

Related posts

What’s Your Pick-Up Line?

Don’t Shy Away From Networking

Mingle Bells: Tips For Networking At Your Holiday Party

Network Your Way to Your Next Job

Relationship Building Blocks

Take the Work Out of Networking

(Image by Boulter,CC 2.0)

]]> http://biggsuccess.com/2008/03/10/3-keys-to-effective-networking/feed/ 6 00:01:01 #160;On The Bigg Success Show today, we were thrilled to chat with Josh Hinds. Josh is the author of Why Perfect Timing is a Myth: ... #160;On The Bigg Success Show today, we were thrilled to chat with Josh Hinds. Josh is the author of Why Perfect Timing is a Myth: Tips for Staying Inspired and Motivated Day in and Day out. He is the master mind behind Get Motivation, Business Leadership Advice, Sales Training Advice, Goals Success, and Business Networking Advice. To date, he has interviewed over 100 leading online business people.Here are the highlights of the conversation: (Or, just click the#160; button above to hear it) George: Josh, with all you do, how do YOU have any time to network? Josh: It#8217;s so funny that you asked that because it#8217;s just about having fun day-to-day and making it a regular part of your schedule. A lot of being a great networker is doing things that will ingratiate us in other people#8217;s minds. Look for ways to be helpful, to do cool things that they appreciate. Then you#8217;ll create what I refer to as #8220;positive mindshare.#8221; When somebody runs into somebody with a need, if you have positive mindshare with that person, you#8217;re going to automatically come to mind. They#8217;ll recommend you.George: Sort of like Stephen Covey#8217;s #8220;emotional bank account#8221; ... you#8217;re building goodwill.Josh: Absolutely. The only thing wrong with Mr. Covey#8217;s statement is that I didn#8217;t think of it!Mary-Lynn: In your interviews, there seems to be three common themes. What are they?Josh: The first one is that you have to build your network before you need your network. George: We say you have to be just one step removed. If I know somebody who knows somebody, they can help me. But beyond that, there#8217;s no connection.Josh: That#8217;s such a great example. Ultimately, you have to build some sort of rapport. I don#8217;t want this to sound cruel, but every single day we have people asking for our help. It#8217;s not that we don#8217;t want to help everybody we can. It#8217;s just that there isn#8217;t enough to go around. So the people we#8217;re closest with get precedence. You need to pile on value so that when you have a need, they#8217;re willing to help you if they#8217;re able. So the second key is you have to be the person that people want to do business with.It can take a little time. Perfect example #8211; every day, I#8217;m surfing the web and running across things that are interesting to me. Of course, I also know people who would be interested as well. So I#8217;ll send that resource. That#8217;s networking!Now a lot of people don#8217;t think it is. Because they have a narrow focus #8211; here#8217;s what I do, here#8217;s my business card, slap your back, shake your hand, me ... me ... me. Mary-Lynn: So it boils down to thinking about the person you#8217;re networking with as a person, not just a connection.George: So Josh, what#8217;s the third key to effective networking?Josh: We#8217;ve touched on this #8211; it#8217;s building up value in the eyes of the people you meet. Say you have a professional relationship with someone who says, #8220;Hey, here#8217;s a referral.#8221; One approach would be to thank them, but also take the time to send a note to report back on what happened. They may not expect that. It will make you stand out as somebody who does a little more. A good friend of mine, a fellow by the name of Bob Burg, just co-authored a book called The Go-Giver. It#8217;s fantastic and it gets on that topic.Mary-Lynn: We#8217;ll have to look that up!Josh: I#8217;d love to connect you to him.Mary-Lynn: Look at what#8217;s happening right here, right now.Josh: That#8217;s the thing. And the important lesson is that it wasn#8217;t premeditated. We were just having a conversation. If something comes out of it ... wonderful. It#8217;s not a forced thing. It#8217;s just a fun process.George: That#8217;s why we say -- think of it as netplaying, not networking.Josh: Oh, I love that ... but you know what I#8217;m going to say?Mary-Lynn: Y Business,,Communication,,Networking,,Relationships bigginfo@biggsuccess.com no No