Networking Insight

Nine Successful Outcomes of Great Relationship Building

Building relationships takes time to see the results of your efforts. With consistency and patience, you have the opportunity to have successful outcomes for your networking activities.

Below are nine successful outcomes of great relationship building:

1. New clients are obtained

2. New partnerships are formed

3. New employees are hired

4. Capital is raised

5. New friendships are born

6. Your personal brand’s credibility has been enhanced

7. New opportunities present themselves to you

8. You build a very diverse network

9. You are approachable, which opens up doors

What other successful outcomes have you experienced?

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10 Motivating Words about Networking for the New Year

With each New Year, we need to start out recharged and sometimes need extra motivation. Below are ten words to think about as you ramp up your relationship building this year.  The below words are bi-products of good networking.

1. Revenue

2. Partners

3. Funding

4. Friends

5. Job

6. Employees

7. Growth

8. Development

9. Credibility

10. Access

What other words can you think of?

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What Inspires You to Build Relationships?

Why do you spend time building and managing relationships? Something must inspire you to do so.  Each of us has our own personal and business motivations that drive us every day to succeed. 

Below are some ideas of what may inspire you to cultivate your network. For most of us, we have multiple motivations.

• Desire to increase revenues
• Desire to build strategic partnerships
• Desire to find new employees
• Desire to find investors
• Desire to find friends
• Desire to find a spouse
• Desire for PR exposure
• Desire to gain credibility
• Desire to get promoted
• Desire to find a new job
• Desire to know subject matter experts

What else can you think of?

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11 Relationship Building Tips for the Holidays

While the holidays are generally a time to relax with family and friends, don’t let it completely take you away from your relationship building. The holidays are a good time to meet new people and further build your existing relationship. 

Below are 11 tips for the holidays that will help you to stay focused:

1. Attend holiday parties – Way to meet to meet new people and re-connect with others

2. Host your own holiday party – Allows you to bring your network to you

3. Send holiday cards – Good reason to reach out to people whether electronically or regular mail

4. Meet one-on-one – Slow time for many so good time to sit down with people

5. Catch up on emails – Take the time to catch up on your relationship building emails

6. Accept hospitality from others – Show your respect by accepting drinks, food, etc. 

7. Help others – Good time of the year to lend a hand

8. Drink in moderation – Don’t drink too much while attending parties

9. Give holiday gifts – Send gifts to those who you really appreciate in your network

10. Plan events – Start thinking about which events that you would like to host in the new year

11. Plan New Year’s resolutions – Make a list of what you would like to accomplish with your relationship building in the upcoming year

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What is Your Relationship Building Strategy?

Do you have a strategy for building business relationships? Or do you just take days as they come and hope that you will meet quality people?  While this strategy can work well at times, it can be more efficient if you put a plan in place. That way, you don’t waste your time with activities that don’t produce results.  Below are some thoughts to help you with your plan:

Attending Events

One of the most consistent ways to meet new people is to regularly attend events. Also, at these events, you will see people who you already know so events can be good for maintaining relationships as well. Don’t just attend any event. Do some research on the hosting organization, target audience, and format. Make sure that you attend events that will put you in the best position to meet your ideal target.

Asking for Introductions

Once you have built credibility and trust with various people in your network, you should be able to ask for introductions. LinkedIn is a great tool to see who knows who. Direct introductions are a great way to meet some quality people. Don’t be shy about asking people for introductions. Most people are happy to make them.

Volunteering with Groups

Consider taking an active role on a board or a committee with a professional or non-profit group. Working together with like-minded individuals on a common goal is a great way to expand your network. You will get to know people both personally and professionally in these situations.

What other strategies do you use?

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Why Your Network is Your Greatest Personal Asset

Throughout your professional careers, you will amass a good sized network. Don’t take this lightly. Your network is one of your greatest personal assets for the following reasons:

It is Portable

Relationships are built between individuals not companies. Therefore, you can take your network with you no matter what company you work for or start. If you are in sales or business development, then this is a key hiring decision for many employers.

It Defines You

Your network to a certain extent defines you because it is a reflection of who you associate yourself with.  Your personal brand resides with your network so they are your most important allies.

It Opens Up Doors

Having a sizable and diverse network can lead to new opportunities.  As long as you stay in front of  your network and provide continuous value, certain people will approach you with new opportunities.

It is Your Life Line

In times of need, you should be able to reach out to certain people in your network for assistance. It is good to have a diverse network so you always can find someone to help you.

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Position Yourself as an Expert to Grow Your Network

One of the most important aspects of relationship building is garnering trust and credibility.  Once other professionals are comfortable with you, your network will grow. 

Take the time to build up an expertise around a particular subject or skill.  Most of you will already be well versed due to your profession.  Spend time educating yourself so you know all there is to know about your area of choice. 

When communicating with people, make sure that they know about your expertise. Consistently communicate your knowledge during meetings, emails, blogs, Twitter, etc. Make sure that people associate you with this subject matter expertise.

As your name gets associated with your expertise, people will start coming to you.  Therefore, your network will grow. Opportunities will come your way such as guest speaking or writing, which will give you more exposure.  At the same time, your existing network will better remember you.

Take the time to brand yourself around a particular expertise and you will be rewarded with a bigger and more diverse network. As a result, you will be seen as someone who others should get to know.

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Nine Ways to Embarrass Yourself in Front of Your Network

When building and managing your relationships, it is important that you send the right message about your brand and professionalism. It takes time and effort to maintain your network. Mistakes can happen since we are stretched too thin and doing multiple activities. Pay special attention how you interact with your network. Below are nine ways to embarrass yourself in front of people in your network:

1. When making an introduction, you forget or mistype/mispronounce someone’s name
2. You attend an event not dressed in the appropriate attire for the environment
3. You say something that is controversial, which may cause people to become upset
4. You are branding yourself around a subject matter that you don’t know much about
5. You are rude and disinterested during conversations
6. You constantly interrupt people when they are talking
7. You make consistent mistakes in your communication channels such as newsletters, blogs, etc.
8. You talk bad about other people behind their back
9. You are only one-sided in your interaction with others

What else can you think of?

Related post: Nine Ways to Embarrass Yourself at a Networking Event

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Attending Events is Good for Building Your Network

In order to build your network, you need to find multiple ways to meet people. Some strategies may work better than others. Regardless, attending events is an easy technique that can help you to grow your network.

By attending events, you are putting yourself in the position to meet many new people. Make an effort to attend 1- 2 events per week. You will quickly grow your network. 

At the same time, you may see people who you already know, which is good for maintaining these relationships.  You should be visible in your business community and network. Also, at these events, people you know may introduce you to new people.

Once you decide which events to attend, let certain people in your network know which ones that you will be attending. This is another good technique to manage your relationships. Staying top of mind is a critical component for building long term relationships.

Of course, don’t rely only on attending events to build your network.  Spend some time leveraging your existing network to meet new people as well.

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The Fear of Networking (video)