Making and maintaining professional relationships is essential to career growth, regardless of whether you have your own business or work in a firm. It’s not only solos and freelancers who must constantly network and generate new business. Professionals within firms who ignore the importance of networking will almost certainly advance more slowly in their careers than those who network and prove their worth to the firm by bringing in new business.
Networking Tip of The Week – Leave on a High Note
When networking leave on a high note. Know when to end a conversation by excusing yourself before it begins to die down.
Networking Tip of The Week – Treasure Hunt
Treat networking as a treasure hunt. Go into a networking event with a sense of discovery and adventure, and you will continually be surprised by the new resources, contacts and opportunities you find.
Networking Tip of the Week – Numbers Game
To an extent networking is a numbers game. A certain percentage of contacts you initiate will develop into relationships. Some of these will bring benefits very quickly while others will take more time. Ultimately, if you are committed to the process of networking you WILL see the rewards.
Networking Tip of The Week – Billable Hours
Don’t maximize current billable hours at the expense of networking. Networking now maximizes future growth, opportunities and revenue.
Networking Tip of The Week – Asking for Help
Sometimes the most rewarding conversation starts with “I was wondering if you might have any suggestions…” or “I’m having some difficulty with…” Asking for help is not a weakness but a strength. It simultaneously strengthens your relationships with other people who will appreciate the opportunity to contribute their expertise, at the same time as it improves your overall results.
Networking Tip of The Week – Networking is Not Selling
Networking is not selling, or using people only for your gain, networking is an exchange of information and goodwill. Networking leads to new relationships, new opportunities and greater accomplishments.
Networking Tip of The Week – Take a Leading Role
Don’t be a passive attendee; be an active participant. Volunteer to set up before the event, participate in committees or chair panels. You’ll increase your visibility and get to know people faster.
Networking Tip of The Week – It’s Q2, What Are You Going To Accomplish?
It’s Q2, What Are You Going To Accomplish?
Hard to believe the second quarter is already here. How did your first quarter go? Are you still on track to make those goals you set at New Year’s? The key element to achieving your goals is to actually set them and then develop a plan to make it happen. Once you do that all you need is some motivation, some accountability (that’s where a coach comes in…) and a belief that you can make it happen.
Here are some tips to help you make your second quarter goals:
- Start with a long term goal and then break it down into smaller, shorter term chunks.
- Write it down! – seems so simple, but only 3% of the population has written goals.
- Make a plan – what do you have to do tomorrow, next week, next month to make it happen?
- Reward yourself when you reach milestones…and set consequences for yourself if you don’t.
- Stop putting it off – start today.
I hope everyone has a successful second quarter. Let me know how you do.
Networking Tip of The Week – Showing Gratitude
Gratitude is under done in today’s business world. Expressing gratitude to business contacts and clients helps cultivate relationships that will lead to increased referrals. People like to refer others to business professionals who are friendly and appreciative. Thanking others at every appropriate opportunity will also help you stand out from the crowd.