International Networker Larry James writes that networking in the wrong places won’t help you or your career contacts. When deciding which networking groups to join, consider how much time is actually available to network. There are so many different types of networking events to choose from. Any place where people gather offers a potential networking opportunity. Chosen carefully, an effective networking group can generate business in ways traditional marketing and advertising alone cannot.
Here are a few questions to ask yourself when considering a networking group.
• What are you trying to achieve through business networking?
• How long as the group been in existence?
• What is the depth of commitment at the leadership level?
• What is the format of the meeting?
• Is there a structure or are you just left to your own devices to introduce yourself to people?
• How often are the meetings?
• What steps have been taken to develop a structure that encourages the kind of business relationships necessary to build a successful business?
• Do you enjoy spending time with these people?
• Is there chemistry and opportunities to develop real friendships?
• Who else attends the group and will they be the right people for you to team up with?
• Are members obliged to pass Referrals at every meeting or is it a more relaxed affair?
• Are you required to attend every meeting?
• Does this networking group have a “community” presence?
Decide what time of day you are at your best! Are you a morning person? Or do you prefer to meet for lunch or an evening meeting? Most groups will allow you to attend at least one meeting before asking you to commit financially. When you visit for the first time, observe the level of comfort the group members have with each other. Loyalty within the group is very important.
Check out several groups to find the best chemistry and perceived value. You may have to pay a small fee for lunch or breakfast, but by attending these meetings it will give you an idea of what to expect and whether or not its members are those you can benefit from and whether they can benefit from your business.
Call the networking event leader and find out what businesses and professions have attended their business networking events in the past. Your goal is to identify the best ways to develop relationships with those who are in the best position to introduce you to potential customers.
I will often go to hear a speaker or topic which interests me or to catch up with a number of business associates and friends in one place. Sometimes trial and error works. You might begin by compiling a list of different networking groups that are currently in your area, or areas where you would like to do business. If the group has a Website, take a look.
Ask your friends what groups they attend and ask if they will invite you as a guest so that you can find out more about the group.
Tony Benner
Corporate Focus PR
1 comments:
A very good blog article. Choosing to join the right networking group is like choosing vegetables at your local supermarket, e.g. lettuce. Your decision of choosing a fresh, crispy looking lettuce over some sad looking and partially rotting one is pretty obvious. The same goes to a networking group. Using the lettuce theory, observe this when you next visit a breakfast networking group: 1) What is the ratio of people there - for this purpose, members - who really reach out to know you, signifying they want to build a relationship and do business withyou?; 2) Study the body language of members networking with one another - are they in cliques or 'fluid' in moving around?; 3) Does the group have a majority of professions in your industry power team enough to generate referrals for you?; 4) Attend the breakfast meeting twice, and observe the level of absenteeism (ask how many members are there in the group and determine how many are actually present at the meetings you attended) and FINALLY, 5) ask for the group's PERFORMANCE METRICS (value of business actually passed over the period of time the group has been in existence). If your request is refused, there is something shoddy about the group and they only want your money!
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