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Beyond Networking

Written on June 30, 2008 by George Krueger & Mary-Lynn Foster in Business, Networking

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.

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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.

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4 Comments

Quit Jumping on Me Like a Dog!

Written on May 12, 2008 by George Krueger & Mary-Lynn Foster in Business, Communication, Networking, Relationships

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!”

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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!”

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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!

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