How to Network Without Feeling Like a Pushy Salesperson

Posted on Jan 11, 2012 in Networking

Small business networking. Does the very idea give you a heavy feeling in the pit of your stomach? If so, you’re not alone. Many small business owners avoid networking, both because they feel they don’t have the time and they just don’t like going to business social events.

And yet you know you need to be doing it, right? You’re well aware of the fact that it doesn’t matter if you have the world’s best widget at the lowest possible price. If nobody knows about it, your business won’t be successful. That’s why networking is so important.

We’ve all had that feeling that networking is just one more thing on our already massive to-do list. But I’m here to tell you that joining a small business networking group just might be the answer to your dilemma.

What’s the difference between plain old networking and a networking group? A networking group exists solely to help members get referrals. In contrast, plain old networking is when you go to an event, perhaps one sponsored by an industry association or your local Chamber of Commerce, and you do the “meet and greet”.

Ah yes, the “meet and greet”. You’re standing there trying to balance a glass of wine while trying to get your business card out of your pocket. Meanwhile, the person in front of you is scanning the room for someone more important than you.

The worst part of “meet and greet” networking events is the feeling that you have to “sell” yourself to people who may not be interested in hearing about you and your business. That’s where joining a small business networking group is so helpful: the whole point of the group is to tell each other about your respective businesses and see how you can help each other with referrals. So you get to network without feeling like a pushy salesperson. What a relief!

That’s why I’m such an advocate of small business networking groups: as you help others, you help yourself! The whole point of the group is to learn what each member offers in their respective businesses, and give and get referrals.There’s no awkward feeling of perhaps imposing on someone. And an important part of the process is the reciprocal nature of the group: not only are you telling groups members what kind of referrals you are looking for, you’re also actively seeking referrals for their businesses.

Many people really enjoy their regular networking group, and say that it is the most productive meeting of their week. What else can it do for you? In addition to referrals, a networking group usually offers you group advertising discounts, business educational seminars, and lots of other useful perks.

Where do you find a small business networking group? Probably the most well-known example is Business Networks Internation (BNI) which has groups in most cities in North America, as well as internationally. However, BNI is quite expensive to join (proponents would argue that the business generated by referrals more than outweighs the membership fees, and that may very well be true). You can also find other networking groups by doing an online search for “your city + networking group” or by asking your local Chamber of Commerce for suggestions.

The Best Quality Software is here

Posted on Dec 26, 2011 in Networking

If you have some job that make you always connected with any communication technology, it is certainly that you must be the expert on this thing. Even you want to get better employment, so it means you should have learn it every time but we have some solution that make you feel calmer. Because there is one place that serve a lot things about technology, so this will help your job and hopefully you always can use it.

We want to tell you that people always looking for the best software although unfortunately there is no software has complete advantages, and you can get it in the different software. Looks worse right? But just do not worry anymore, it is exactly you can buy collaboration software that will make you have complete functions about software, we can be sure that not all people have no same opportunity to access this one.

So the things that you should do if you want to have buy TeamWox collaboration as soon as possible, is just about access it in Teamwox.com. Just grab the information and the software too faster or you will lose it, and then just do your best about your job because the solution is on your hand.

Business Networking – Is It an Art or a Science?

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 in Networking

Many would argue both.

But first let’s define Business Networking and then discuss what it is and what it is not.

Wikipedia defines Business Networking as a “socioeconomic activity by which groups of like-minded business people recognize, create, or act upon business opportunities”.

Business Networking organizations have created models of referral networking activities, and teach their members, that when followed, these models will allow the business person to discover and build new business relationships which will result in more business referral opportunities.

However, these activities will not give rise to generating business opportunities without the participant successfully building relationships with other participants deep enough where trust is established. The process required before trust can be established is often referred to as the Know Me, Like Me, Trust Me Learning Curve.

Know Me, Like Me, Trust Me.

Like any process, it’s a series of steps where business professionals take the time to get to Know, Like and Trust others before feeling comfortable referring their best clients to.

The Know Me, Like Me, Trust Me Learning Curve takes time to complete. Therefore, Business Networking activities are designed to shorten that learning curve time thus maximizing the participant’s rate of return on invested time.

So how does this referral marketing methodology work?

First, they need to Know you.

It may seem obvious, but people have to Know you exist before they’ll do business with you. They need to be keenly aware of the product and services that you offer. More importantly, they need to understand what makes you and the way you render your services different from your competitors.

Not only must other business professionals be aware of you and your business, but they need to Know what makes you different. They need to answer the question for themselves, “Why should I use you over your competition?”

Secondly, they need to Like you.

Your prospective referral sources need to answer the question, “Would I feel comfortable working with this person?” Unfortunately, many people judge a book by its cover. Therefore, a professional appearance is paramount. Even the roofer, plumber, etc needs to be aware of this when they are out in public doing their business networking activities. Enhancing your appearance will only increase the number of folks who are willing to get to know you better.

But your appearance is only one small piece of getting people to Like you. What you say and how you say it will play a large role in your likability. People are always watching you even when you are not speaking directly to them. Your attitude will determine your altitude in business. People naturally gravitate to likeable people. Always be warm and genuine and folks will see someone they want to get to Know better because they are starting to Like you.

The third step in the learning curve is Trust.

Once someone Knows you exist, recognizing what you offer is different and finds you Likable to the point where they are comfortable speaking with you, it’s time to establish Trust. Many times in the Business Networking environment, the Trust factor is not established without at least a small leap of faith.

A cautious potential referral source may engage your services for them personally before referring you to others. This is called a First Degree Referral. The First Degree Referral is a lower risk proposition than referring you to their clients (i.e. a Second Degree Referral).

This first referral will either establish Trust or it won’t. Most of that will be up to you.

So, is Business Networking an art or a science?

So it can be argued, that Business Networking is both an art and a science. The art is successfully making and developing relationships which is hinged upon successfully navigating the Know Me, Like Me, Trust Me Learning Curve.

The science is creating the best or optimized environment for the Know Me, Like Me, Trust Me process to successfully take place and maximizing the desired outcomes as efficiently and quickly as possible.

From both respects, one thing is clear. People are apt to only do business with people and organizations that they Know, Like and Trust. Business Professionals who learn how to effectively and efficiently use Business Networking as the center piece of their marketing plan will be rewarded the most.

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