It is my please to share with you my second interview of Adam Kovitz, Founder of The National Networker. You can read my first interview here.
1. How do you define "business networking?"
Business networking is the exchange of information between one or more parties for the benefit of one’s profession, be it for clients, a new job, resources, information, etc. Business networking is being transformed, however, due to the rise in popularity of social networking through the use of online media loosely described as “Web 2.0”. Today, we use the term “Relationship Networking” as it is more universal and also encompasses those exchanges not only for the aforementioned benefits of business networking but to also include such things as networking for humanitarian causes, political agendas, various affinities, love, etc. There are many reasons for networking, and it all starts with the relationship.
2. How did you brand yourself as a "networking authority?"
The power of the internet is an interesting thing. When I started The National Networker in February, 2005, I was relatively unknown in the industry other than locally in Mercer County, New Jersey (home of Princeton and Trenton). At the time, I had just moved my family to Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia. With my efforts devoted to getting established despite being a relative unknown, I found that I was getting a bit too down on myself and somewhat “punchy” by the first issue of TNNW. It was on a lark that I listed my name and then wrote “King of Business Networking”, pressed a button and sent the newsletter out to 900 people (mostly in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and Delaware).
Within 6 months, we were read all over the country with a few in Canada. One day I was finishing up a speech that I did at a university for about two hundred small businesses and entrepreneurs when I was on my way to the restroom. I suddenly became aware of someone following me to get my attention – they shouted “hey king!” I knew that the branding was definitely kicking in.
As we grew and as I became more comfortable sharing my ideas about the future of the industry, typically when I would deliver my annual “State of the Industry Address”, I would find other people contacting me with their thoughts, and more importantly to me…agreement. It is always comforting to get validation when you really put yourself out there. One particular series of exchanges led to my prior appointment as the Executive Director for the Relationship Networking Industry Association (RNIA), which ties in nicely to TNNW as it was originally designed to be something of a trade publication.
3. What are some of the strategies that you have used to build up your own network?
With everything that I do, I use repetition and consistency. It is huge. For example, with The National Networker, we repeat a lot of themes and do it every week. People get used to it. It has become an integral part of our readers’ lives.
4. How can someone leverage networking to stay relevant during challenging economic times?
If you only view your network as a sea of referral sources for business, then you may be limiting yourself and will have to do a lot of work. On the other hand, if you look at your network not just as a source of business but rather as a support system, then you will be better off. Knowing who is in your network is important so consistently do an inventory check and manage your network. Also, in these times especially, it is important to think that “I am the CEO of Me”. View each job as an opportunity to manage your career not just the job.
5. How have you benefited professionally from networking?
Networking has helped with me everything. I have secured employed, clients, support, partners, and met some awesome people. You need to realize that to understanding networking and leveraging networking is all about abundance. You will be able to draw from your network when you need something, assuming that you have been paying it forward and helping others.
6. How have you benefited personally from networking?
My whole career since 2000 has been around some aspect of networking. My networking has gotten me the opportunity to be a Director for BNI, which I did for two years as well as my job with RNIA. Early on, as a management consultant, it got me clients and the means to put food on my family’s table. It led to a radio gig out of Princeton and eventually monthly podcast on TNNW’s own channel, The National Networker Show. It allowed me to help countless others in ways that I cannot have before. It has led to my contribution in the book The Emergence of the Relationship Economy and has allowed me to further develop the Laws of Relationship Capital. I could go on, but I won’t. In short, it has allowed this hometown Jersey boy to become a major player in the industry on a worldwide scale.
7. How have others benefited from your network and/or expertise?
You have to ask them. What I do know is that I have had clients achieve their sales goals and get direction. In addition, I have found writers in different parts of the world who have benefited from the large brand of The National Networker. Further, readers have benefited from what I have said. We are all beneficiaries of each other’s work.
8. What is one of the lesser-known secrets to effective networking?
EVERY NETWORK IS AN ASSET! Networks are like mutual funds, stocks, hedge funds, etc. You invest in them (in this case, not just money but time, energy and effort) in the hopes that you will get a return, they are all managed by people of varying levels of competence and all possess a constantly-evolving portfolio of holdings. If you view networking in this regard, it will most likely get you out of the habits of worrying about the food you will eat at the next networking event, who in the room does or doesn’t “gets it” and judging people on how they appear today. It will also give you more reason to invest in your own personal and professional development. It’s not like your business and your life depend upon it…oh wait…they do!
9. Please share a successful networking story.
In 2006, as I was building The National Networker, one of my dreams was to build credibility for my publication. So, on a lark, I went to New Jersey with a fellow BNI friend to hear Ivan Misner speak (founder of BNI). One of the BNI directors out there, Mark Carmody, encouraged us talk with him. He put us face to face and within minutes, Ivan agreed to write for us. Ivan was an influence on me so having his name would lend a lot of credibility for us. It would solidify The National Networker as a solid player in the networking industry. Ivan still writes for us today.
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was written by Jan Vermeiren who is an expert in Belgium and the rest of Europe when it comes to networking and referrals. He is the founder of 
, the networking CD “Let’s Connect at an event!”, and the 
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