Posts Tagged ‘networking’
Networking never ends…
Who recommended: Lynne Waymon
What I am reading: Make Your Contacts Count (Networking Know-How For Business and Career Success) by Anne Baber and Lynne Waymon
Where in the book: The End
Why I am reading: Learning how to network. Cause believe me, I have no CLUE!
Which quote: “You never outgrow the need to network.”
How this quote adjusted my thinking: So this is the end of my journey through “Make Your Contacts Count.” I am so glad I read this book. I cannot stop recommending it. I think Lynne Waymon must be tired of all the people I refer to her. I am glad I took this journey. It opened my eyes to the type of networker I am. The book gave me practical advice that I can really apply. It was not some high brow academic “blowing smoke up my knickers.” As you can tell, I recommend you read it.
Have you read “Make Your Contacts Count?” Please leave a comment with your favorite quote, piece of advice or favorite networking story.
I love conventions…
Who recommended: Lynne Waymon
What I am reading: Make Your Contacts Count (Networking Know-How For Business and Career Success) by Anne Baber and Lynne Waymon
Where in the book: page 221
Why I am reading: Learning how to network. Cause believe me, I have no CLUE!
Which quote: “Connect at conventions.”
How this quote adjusted my thinking: I love conventions. I wish I could be a professional meeting attendee. Out of the whole “Make Your Contacts Count” book, THIS is the one area where I excel. All of her examples in this chapter I have implemented when attending conventions. The skills presented here seem to flow out of me naturally. Now, if only I could get my networking skills up to this level….
Leave a comment with the convention you love to attend. Tell us a successful convention experience.
What is your sound bite?
Who recommended: Lynne Waymon
What I am reading: Make Your Contacts Count (Networking Know-How For Business and Career Success) by Anne Baber and Lynne Waymon
Where in the book: page 214
Why I am reading: Learning how to network. Cause believe me, I have no CLUE!
Which quote: “Don’t Just Join, Join In-Create Sound Bites.”
How this quote adjusted my thinking: I am struggling with this task. All through the book there are tips and tricks to writing a “success story.” I just cannot seem to get the hang of it. The examples in the book are clear, concise and tell a strong story.
When I attended the IVAA Live Summit, I saw one of the speakers, Stephanie Frank, create a “success story” of one of the attendees. It was magic. Stephanie asked the VA three questions. The VA took less than five minutes to answer. Right there on the spot Stephanie transformed the information into a concise “success story.”
This must be a talent. I still do not have a story to tell.
I would like to read your “sound bite.” Leave a comment with your one or two sentence example of how your business helped a client.
Be Active…
Who recommended: Lynne Waymon
What I am reading: Make Your Contacts Count (Networking Know-How For Business and Career Success) by Anne Baber and Lynne Waymon
Where in the book: page 206
Why I am reading: Learning how to network. Cause believe me, I have no CLUE!
Which quote: “Make the most of you memberships-Jump right in.”
How this quote adjusted my thinking: I am a reserved person. Typically, after joining a group, I would observe for a while. After taking Lynne Waymon’s advice, I have to tell you, the value of my membership in groups increased dramatically. I started looking for ways to act as a “host instead of a guest.” I also attempted “to give myself a job.” Low and behold, I found it much easier to approach people, a lot easier to have something to talk about and I felt my confidence in myself shine through. Again, this one piece of advice has served me well.
Help! Too many groups to join…
Who recommended: Lynne Waymon
What I am reading: Make Your Contacts Count (Networking Know-How For Business and Career Success) by Anne Baber and Lynne Waymon
Where in the book: page 199
Why I am reading: Learning how to network. Cause believe me, I have no CLUE!
Which quote: “Make the most of your memberships. Choose groups strategically. Not all groups are equally useful for networking. Your choice will depend on your goals and on the characteristics of the group.”
How this quote adjusted my thinking: There is an abundance of groups to join. It is overwhelming to try to evaluate each one. They all look good. I think it is advantageous to research thoroughly six groups. Decide which three of those six groups is the best fit for you. If you can afford to join three, then join three, else join the group at the top of your list. After a year of membership, evaluate your experience. Continue with memberships with groups strong in reciprocal benefits, discontinue groups that did not work out and add a group or two. I think adhering to a process such as this keeps your creative juices flowing.
Networking constellation style…
Who recommended: Lynne Waymon
What I am reading: Make Your Contacts Count (Networking Know-How For Business and Career Success) by Anne Baber and Lynne Waymon
Where in the book: page 183
Why I am reading: Learning how to network. Cause believe me, I have no CLUE!
Which quote: “Create Constellations-Put together your own referral group-your constellation-by forming alliances with top notch professionals in the other fields who have access to your market.”
How this quote adjusted my thinking: I have seen the constellation building in practice. As a member of the Virtual Assistants industry, the people I have met recognize their skills meet a need of their clients. They are not shy about referring other virtual assistants to their client when a project requires specialized skill. The networking within this industry should be commended.
Make Co-workers part of your network…
Who recommended: Lynne Waymon
What I am reading: Make Your Contacts Count (Networking Know-How For Business and Career Success) by Anne Baber and Lynne Waymon
Where in the book: page 171
Why I am reading: Learning how to network. Cause believe me, I have no CLUE!
Which quote: “Avoid Erroneous Assumptions: People I work with are automatically part of my network. Not true. You must create and nurture the relationships.”
How this quote adjusted my thinking: It wasn’t until I saw it written here that I realize this is how I view co-workers. I figure they were hired that must make us all on the same team. Seeing it written I recognize the importance of building relationships with co-workers.
One of the examples in the book is to eat lunch with someone and inquire about their work. My favorite meal of the day is lunch. I rarely eat lunch by myself. Networking at lunch is enjoyable for me. I have such a good time using lunch as a relationship building moment after I left one company my core group of lunch buddies lost 5 pounds each!
Na Na Hey Hey Goodbye
(Yes! I know I can’t sing. My apologies to Steam)
Who recommended: Lynne Waymon
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What I am reading: Make Your Contacts Count (Networking Know-How For Business and Career Success) by Anne Baber and Lynne Waymon
Where in the book: page 143
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Why I am reading: Learning how to network. Cause believe me, I have no CLUE!
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Which quote: “End with the Future In Mind.”
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How this quote adjusted my thinking:
Talk about being clueless. I had no idea there was a formality to saying good bye. If you have ever been to an event with me and I forgot to say good bye formally, please accept my apology. It truly was an oversight. Typically, I would not end a conversation with a good bye because I am thinking I should wait until the end of the event. If I am leaving independent of a group, it is easy to just revisit people and say good bye. If everyone in attendance is leaving at the same time, it is easy to wish everyone well as you move out of the event. Where my technique fails me is if a I join a group of people who are leaving while others are still milling about. I tend to get caught up in the moment and forget to say good bye to people who are not leaving yet.
Now, maybe this does not seem significant. However, I actually saw the scenario play out in front of me. When I arrived at this particular networking event, Precious and Treat were already talking. They welcomed me to their conversation. At this networking event, Treat knows everyone in the room – well. After greeting each other, Treat gracefully excuses herself to talk to another cluster of networkers. Precious and I engage in a conversation, then someone else joined and Precious moved to another group of networkers. The event lasted about two hours. Towards the end, Precious noticed I had a moment to myself, she approaches me saying,
“Did Treat leave?”
“I don’t know.” I say starting to look around the room.
“Well..” Precious looks around the room too. “I think she left.”
“Did you need her for something?” I ask Precious.
“No. I wanted to say good bye.” Precious is still scanning the room for Treat. I see networkers leaving in little batches.
“Maybe she did leave.” I am not really sure what to say.
“She didn’t say good bye. I wonder why she would leave like that…without saying good bye.” Precious looks resigned.
“She might have gotten distracted by the group she left with.” I say trying to be conciliatory and helpful.
Precious shrugs and walks away.
I have been in the position of both Precious and Treat. Seeing it from the filter of having read “Make Your Contacts Count” I see the value in knowing a few different formal ways to say good bye.
Beautiful weather we are having…
Who recommended: Lynne Waymon
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What I am reading: Make Your Contacts Count (Networking Know-How For Business and Career Success) by Anne Baber and Lynne Waymon
Where in the book: page 126
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Why I am reading: Learning how to network. Cause believe me, I have no CLUE!
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Which quote: “Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it…As with other ritual topics, if you are Seriously Curious, the weather can become interesting.”
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How this quote adjusted my thinking:
WOW! This is so cool. I had never considered making the topic of weather “interesting.” I used to think if the conversation drifted to talking about weather that it was a polite cue to move along. Thinking back, I can remember a couple of times where I was thinking “I wish I knew how to engage this conversation.” I also remember a conversation where I used this tool.
I was at the food store when I bumped into a neighbor I had not seen in awhile. We went through the ritual greeting:
“Hi!”
“How are you?”
“What have you been up to?”
Then, she said “It’s a beautiful day today.”
To which I responded “I know! and we are stuck at the food store! I bet you wish you were home enjoying your pool.”
The conversation blossomed. I learned she had not “officially” opened her pool because she was going on vacation. I also learned a little bit about how much work goes into preparing the pool for swimming. She told me when her pool would be ready and invited me over for a pool play date with our families. (Which, by the way, was wonderful!)
I am going to apply this technique in my professional interactions, too. Obviously this technique is successful because I remembered the conversation with my neighbor.
“MORE” & “REAL”
Who recommended: Lynne Waymon
What I am reading: Make Your Contacts Count (Networking Know-How For Business and Career Success) by Anne Baber and Lynne Waymon
Where in the book: page 117
Why I am reading: Learning how to network. Cause believe me, I have no CLUE!
Which quote: “Tell your contacts, straight out, what’s on your Agenda. Your honesty about your purposes will increase your sense of competence and professionalism.”
How this quote adjusted my thinking:
Before I attend my next networking event, I want to brainstorm a few ideas so I can select from these options preferably to have a solid agenda at the event.
“What can *I* give?” The “MORE” I can contribute:
“M=Methods”
* How to get involved in social networking
* How to be a part of virtual worlds
* How to start an online University
“O=Opportunities”
* Be an online instructor
* Develop course materials for an online class
* Entrepreneurship in virtual worlds
“R=Resources”
* Rockcliffe University Consortium, Inc.
* “Get Clients Now!” coach, Cristina Favreau
“E=Enthusiasms”
* I attended the IVAA Live Summit. It was so much more than I ever expected!
* Social networking worked for me!
* I participate in a virtual Relay for Life. Raising money for the American Cancer Society is one way I give back to society.
“What do *I* want to get?” Ways I can “get REAL”
“R=Results”
* Research projects
* additional subscriptions
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“E=Expertise”
* web site developer
* graphic artist
* animation artist
“A=Access”
* partnership where I am a co-creator of a project
* collaboration where I contribute to a project
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“L=Leads”
* Blog writers looking for content inspiration
* Book authors looking for facts verified
* Professionals looking for information about an industry
Lara Nieberding 