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Wednesday, November 12, 2003 ( 6:46 AM ) axmc Eight Steps to Networking Success Courtesy of Breakfast Networking Club in Chicago By Joe Marzano Networking is a widely used marketing technique for advancing in business and career. Even so, people often feel uncomfortable and even fearful during a networking experience, and many networking opportunities fail to produce desired results. Like learning a new dance step, I have found that effective networking takes desire, technique and practice. As an executive coach who helps people develop new performance strategies and behaviors, I believe networking time will be productive and fun if you follow these eight guidelines: Think positively and smile. If you are happy it will be evident, so focus on how you will feel by finding a new friend, customer, employer, employee, investor or partner Know your goal. Be clear about what you want from each event and interaction. Decide how many new people you will meet, which specific prospects you will talk with, and what outcomes you desire from each interaction. Have a message strategy. In meeting people you need to make a connection, determine their interests, and establish rapport before delivering your branding statement. This is true whether you are meeting for personal, professional or business reasons. Remember that people choose to be with (do business with and hire) people they like. Learn about them before responding with your carefully prepared, sincere description of your value. Manage your time. You can talk with existing friends any time, so treat a networking event as your (and their) opportunity to discover new relationships. Acknowledge your friends and then devote time to being with people you do not already know. Find time in food or beverage lines to meet new people, engaging in conversation when the opportunity arises. Hold the sales pitch. If you meet someone interesting who seems interested in you, exchange cards and agree to talk in depth after the event. Networking time is for meeting new people, not for long- winded sales presentations or stories about your personal crises. Be respectful. Refrain from speaking during official program announcements or presentations, and turn off any cell phones or beepers before you arrive. Make it a team activity. Invite others from your organization to join you at the event to maximize coverage, especially with large audiences. They will appreciate meeting people, too. Get involved. Volunteer to sponsor or help organize an event if appropriate. You gain added opportunity to showcase your business and develop connections with people. Networking events can be fun and a great investment in time, with the right attitude, technique and coaching feedback on the right steps. Learn the networking dance, and discover the joy of being a willing participant in your future success. # ( 6:44 AM ) axmc GHM Health Insurance If you’re in need of health insurance, or your Cobra is too expensive check out the Gray Hair Management Affinity Health Plan. http://www.grayhairmanagement.com/grayhair/blind.asp You may need Adobe Acrobat Reader to read the document. Get it free by clicking here. http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html # ( 6:39 AM ) axmc Pay It Forward Networking in Chicago Suburbs WHAT: The "Pay-It-FORWARD Networking Group" WHO: From those in routine jobs to Executive positions in any industry that are: un-employed, under-employed and businesses needing people to hire, or help to grow their businesses. WHEN: November 18th, Tuesday, 7:00pm - 9:00pm (Third Tuesday of each month) WHERE: Immanuel Lutheran Church - 200 N Plum Grove Rd Palatine, IL 60067-5233 http://www.mapquest.com , or you can also visit Immanuel's web site @ http://www.ilcp.org Use west entrance of school & church by sign and flags. Enter through doors and stay to the left to 1st large room on the left - Fellowship Hall. DRESS: Business Casual COST: Free BRING: Resume, Networking Brief (Hand-Bill), Business Cards, along with a smile and a genuine interest to help others. The "Pay-It-FORWARD Networking Group", is designed to bring together surrounding community leaders and professionals to help each other. We foster a pay-it-forward attitude; with an interest in expanding everyone's network of contacts and actually helping them. In order to get employed, or stay employed in this economy, it's very important that you ALWAYS stay c-o-n-n-e-c-t-e-d. Many people find that when acts of kindness are focused to benefit others, it can turn out to be reciprocal to those that give. For more information contact the founding member David Krull via E-mail davidckrull@aol.com or 708-686-7180 Mobile # |
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