Networking Insight

Become a Resource to Grow Your Network

One of the best ways to grow your network is to become a resource for others.  It is important that you find ways to help other people before you ask for help. Acting as a resource for other people’s needs is a key to building quality and long-term relationships.

To become a resource, you need to listen to the needs of others and act on them. Assist people however and whenever you can so you can help them move forward in their life or career.

The more that you help people the better your reputation will become. Word will spread quickly that you are someone good to know.  As a result, people will want to associate themselves with you so your network will naturally grow. Over time, people will reciprocate and help you as well.

Below are few ways that you can act as a resource for your network:

• Build a Website of resources for your industry
• Author a blog with information about your industry
• Connect people together as much as you can
• Find information for people
• Direct people to other resources
• Provides some free advice
• Host your own events to bring people together
• Create a newsletter that provides valuable information

Whatever you end up doing, make sure that you are consistent in helping others with your resources.

If you like this blog post, then subscribe via email or RSS feed.

Debunking 3 Myths of Networking

For some people, networking has a negative or misunderstand connotation. Below are 3 commonly mistaken myths about networking:

1. Networking is only for sales people – Networking gets a bad reputation because you will meet some people at events who only care about selling you something that day.  Networking is about building relationships of trust and credibility so the sales will happen naturally and not right away.

2. Networking is only for the extroverted – When attending events, you probably notice that some people are very comfortable talking with anyone. Be careful with these people because they may only talk about themselves and not really listen to what you are saying. Introverts, on the other hand, are good listeners so they may actually be easier to build relationships with after an event.

3. Networking is only about attending events – While there are numerous opportunities to meet new people at events, don’t spend all your time at events. Take the time to leverage your existing network to find the right people to talk with and get to know. You can be strategic about this, which can save you more time than attending a networking event.

What are some other myths that you can debunk?

If you like this blog post, then subscribe via email or RSS feed.

Book Review: Creating Success from the Inside Out by Ephren Taylor

Creating Success from the Inside Out: Develop the Focus and Strategy to Uncover the Life You Want was written by Ephren Taylor who founded his first company at age 12, became a millionaire at age 16, and was the CEO of a public company by age 23. Currently, he runs City Capital Corporation, which builds affordable urban housing and produces biofuels through its subsidiary Goshen Energy Resources.

In this book, Ephren shares his inspiring story about entrepreneurship and the desire to succeed. He has accomplished so much by the age of 25, which is more than a lot of people accomplish their entire lives.  Taylor shares his success concepts and tools to help you reach your dreams.  His success came from solid values, principles, and the persistence of his desire to reach his goals.

Throughout the book, Taylor speaks to today’s youth and wants to inspire them to succeed and take control of their lives early on.  We all have excuses as to why we give up and quit. Through Taylor’s entrepreneurial spirit, he created opportunities for himself and didn’t listen to the naysayers. Below are a few ideas that you can take away from his book:

• Accept NO excuses and let nothing stand in the way of your dreams
• Get over your fears and self-doubt and choose success
• Develop the decisiveness and determination to achieve your goals
• Just say no to conventional wisdom
• Start a business as a tool to reach your dreams
• Find motivation in something other than money
• Achieve true and complete wealth by giving back to your community

By reading Creating Success from the Inside Out: Develop the Focus and Strategy to Uncover the Life You Want, you will be inspired by a young entrepreneur whose business acumen and life’s values go way beyond his years.  Taylor’s book is a good read for people of all ages who would like to re-evaluate their situation and need some motivation to move their dreams forward.

If you like this blog post, then subscribe via email or RSS feed.