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Building a business is about building rock-solid relationships with people. I find that many people take this for granted. I see people at networking events socializing with the same crowds over and over. Are you there to get social or build relationships? Yes, you can be social and build relationships. Building relationships must be intentional and with the right people.
The very thought of networking makes some people cringe. They find networking to be superficial with the practiced elevator pitch and people who have an agenda in putting out the most business cards. They insist you must have theirs and they do not ask a thing about you. Don’t let your experience with these individuals blanket all networking events.
Networking comes in a variety of forms from formal networking events, social events like golf tournaments, charity functions, and galas, to conferences and one-on-one connections at the bank, grocery store, your kid’s sporting event, or the gym. You have opportunities to build meaningful relationships where ever you go. The only thing is you need to know who you want to meet and what creates an extraordinary relationship with you. Write it down!
Know “Your People”. If you were to profile your ideal client, how old are they? What do they do? How much money do they have? What do they do for work? What do they do for fun? What books do they read? Where do they hang out? If you do not know, ask them. Remember “bird of a feather flock together”. Define your “WHO” – who are you serving? Keyword – serving! You are not there to serve yourself.
Go WHERE Your People Are. You should not be going to any and every networking event possible. Networking is about meeting the right leads at the right places. You need to network with intention of meeting your 1-2 potential ideal clients. It is a competition to hand out the most business cards. Tacky! Those cards are the ones that hit the waste basket.
Get to Know Your People. The object of intentional networking is to build rapport and connection. Ask questions and LISTEN. If you listen long enough, they will tell you what they are struggling with – their pain point. You create the know, like, and trust factor. The more a person gets to know, like, and trust you the more likely they are to do business with you or refer you to others. Get to know them as a person not as a slot machine at the casino that just hit the jackpot. Discover more about their family, occupation/business, recreation, and motivation. What excites them about what they do? During the conversation, uncover their core values. Do they match yours? Determine whether or not they are a good fit for you. When you do business with others, you are working in partnership to achieve a goal.
Serve Your People. Learn WHAT their needs are and how you can serve them. If you can’t serve them, connect them to who can serve them. Even if you do not do business with them, referrals are a great way to fill your pipeline, aren’t they? When you work in service, exceed expectations and give them something to talk about. Be the person who follows through their commitments. Not everyone seems to do this. It seems like common sense but you will soon learn common sense is not that common. When you do this, your credibility soars. By giving them something to talk about, others will want the same experience.
Zig Ziglar has been famously quoted, “You will get all you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want.”
Nurture Your People. Remember building extraordinary relationships take time to be long-lasting. They are not a one and done transaction. You want to build a relationship for life. Do not burn bridges. You never know when your paths may cross again. You never know who they know and how it could impact your future. Follow up with an update on what you are up to and learn the same from them. Is there a way you can serve them?
Extraordinary relationships start with connection and conversation. Keep it REAL! A conversation that is based on common ground and genuine interest.
What do you have in common?
Do you have similar interests or hobbies?
Surprise them with a book or magazine that relates to your last conversation. Send them a gratitude card saying something specific about how their last conversation with you mattered. You get back what you put into the relationship. Let meeting you be a memorable experience.
We would love to have you subscribe to the Success Secrets newsletter on my website at www.debrakasowski.com where you’re going to get my just release FREE e-book about the 21 Habits High Achievers Kick to Achieve Success. I would love to hear about this podcast has impacted your life. E-mail me at Debra@DebraKasowski.com. Thank you for listening to The Millionaire Woman Show where we talk about leadership, business, and human potential to help you live rich from the inside out. Subscribe to The Millionaire Woman Show. Share it with Your Friends. Give us a 5-star rating!
Debra Kasowski, the charismatic host of the positively, thought-provoking podcast, The Millionaire Woman Show, is committed to enriching the leadership potential of her countless, devoted clients, essentially, guiding them to go within to uncover their vast inner resources, so then, capitalizing on their true personal power, they can achieve the measurable success they desire in business, and in life.
In today’s world of impersonal electronic communication, this award-winning speaker, two time bestselling author, and Certified Executive Coach wisely places the emphasis back on effective people skills; posing questions that promote insight and interaction, and the productive channeling of emotional energy towards problem solving, all key to promoting superlative workplace performance, and enhanced productivity.
After graduating with distinction, having earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Alberta, Debra spent many years as a clinical manager exceling in leadership development, before founding Debra Kasowski International, a world-class training, and consulting venture focused on helping aspiring business owners and solopreneurs develop the winning “success habits” that transform human potential into sustainable profits.
Passionate, herself, about continually expanding beyond the boundaries of her comfort zone, Debra, a dedicated wife, mother and avid philanthropist, has successfully finished two Olympic distance triathlons, while adding to her already impressive credentials with certifications in Emotional Intelligence, Appreciative Inquiry, and Coaching with LEADS program.
Clearly if you’re a business owner motivated to move beyond the mediocre, an entrepreneur inspired to forge on to the forefront with a proven plan of action, there’s no doubt that the indomitable Debra Kasowski is your solution.
Isn’t it time to take charge of your networking experience and take it to a new level? You need to take consistent action. Now with social media, people can follow you and see what you’re up to and then when they meet in person the “ice” is already broken so to speak. I was emceeing an event and one of the speakers came up and started speaking to me. It was like we were long-lost friends and then I mentioned to her that it was the first time we had met. She said, “No” in disbelief. “It feels like I already know you.” It was great as it reinforces congruency in my messaging on social media.”
Does thought of networking make you queasy? 