One of the keys to great client service involves developing and maintaining a solid network of key contacts. Building, strengthening and tapping into those contacts are important to the advancement of what you do!
READ THIS POST and then share some of your "Secrets to Networking Success" by adding a comment below.
The attached link by Rick Spence of the Financial Post was provided by my friend, Michael Hughes. Michael has developed a reputation as North America's top networking guru! The full article offers some great tips that can help each of us maximize the value of our individual and business related networking activities. I encourage you to read the entire article and here are a few key points that I’ve pulled out for your benefit.
Tips from the full article:
1. Look for an area of "need, interest or value" to your business or organization, and a way to participate that will make a difference.
The attached link by Rick Spence of the Financial Post was provided by my friend, Michael Hughes. Michael has developed a reputation as North America's top networking guru! The full article offers some great tips that can help each of us maximize the value of our individual and business related networking activities. I encourage you to read the entire article and here are a few key points that I’ve pulled out for your benefit.
Tips from the full article:
1. Look for an area of "need, interest or value" to your business or organization, and a way to participate that will make a difference.
2. Most of your business and referrals will come from the 5% of your contacts who matter most. So you have to identify these VIPS and focus most of your attention on them and their networks. "It's not a shotgun strategy, but a laser strategy," he says.
3. To prioritize your leads, Hughes suggests making a list of all the important contacts, clients and influencers in your business, and then rate them (from 1 to 10) according to key attributes:
- Your level of comfort with each other;
- The amount of trust in your relationship;
- The potential of each individual (and their network) to your business objectives; and
- The amount of fun in your relationship.
The people with the highest composite scores are the high-value relationships you should focus on most. Get to know them better and develop a contact plan and follow-up strategy for each. Your goal is to build the relationship on three pillars: trust, value, and reciprocation. Before you can expect anyone to do anything for you - or even pay attention to you - you have to demonstrate your value to them.
Why not try to complete the suggested exercise that is noted in #3 above?
Just a quick note ... I'm looking forward to my friend Michael Hughes being in the Edmonton area in October 2013. Thanks for all the great 'Networking Tips' that you've been sharing with entrepreneurs!
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