Networking Insight

Can Your Network Be Too Big?

One of my readers posed the following question:

Is there a number of individuals that (above which) sustaining and maintaining this network is impossible?

My answer is “no” because you will always meet people.  You just have to know how to manage the relationships. Also, you should focus more on quality than quantity when choosing the people you want to integrate into your network.

As your network grows, you will have a harder time remembering everyone so you can deploy the following two strategies:

1) Keep in touch with everyone in a shot gun approach by creating a newsletter

2) Keep in touch with individuals by periodically meeting them, sending them valuable information, or staying in front of them through other methods

As long as you stay in front of people on a regular basis, you can manage a growing database of contacts. However, you know your limits so build your network to your comfort level.

One way to scale your network is to get to know “power connectors” really well and integrate them into your network. These are the people who know many more people than you will ever know.  So, when you need an introduction, they can open up their network and help.

In addition, it is a good idea every few months to review your network contact list to determine if any should be removed from your database. This way, your information will be up to date with people you remember.

Linkedin Finally Embraces the Mobile World

LinkedIn finally jumps into the mobile world with the recent announcement that  it has launched a mobile version of its site. One of the main reasons that LinkedIn decided to build a mobile version is because 100,000 of its users were accessing the original site from a mobile device each month.

While this a great move for LinkedIn, they are still behind the curve of other online networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace.  I believe that LinkedIn's 19 million members will benefit from this mobile version. How cool is that before you meet someone, you can access his/her LinkedIn profile to see a picture and bio? You can also make introductions and invite other professionals to join a network while you are on the go.

Articles Covering This Story:

Social Network LinkedIn Goes Mobile

LinkedIn Goes Mobile

What do you think about this new feature?

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What Does Beer and Networking Have in Common?

Beer and networking obviously go hand to hand when interacting with people at social events. Well, this post is not about that commonality but rather the uniqueness of beer and uniqueness of networking and how there are similarities.

Variety

One interesting aspect of networking is that you have a chance to meet a wide variety of people with various qualities and characteristics and from around the world.  With beer, you have the opportunity to try unlimited varieties with unique flavors and scents from around the world. 

Taste

People come from all walks of life so you will get a taste of life by keeping an open mind to meeting a variety of people.   With beer, you have the opportunity to taste a variety of brands, which will make you a more well-rounded beer drinker.

Smoothness

As you meet people, you will connect immediately with some individuals, who will easily integrate into your network.  With beer, from time to time, you will come across a type that will be smooth, go down easy, and one that you integrate into your drinking.

Appearance

The more people you come in contact with, the more you will notice various appearances that will make or break someone’s brand. With beer, it comes in various colors and bottle packaging so you are exposed to diversity.

What other aspects can you compare?

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What are the 3 Categories for Business Networking Sites?

In the recent article, Get a lift from online networking, the author discusses how business networking sites generally fall into the below 3 categories:

Profile-Building Network – Sites that let users build up their business profiles by posting details of their activities, writing blogs, joining clubs and exchanging messages with other users. Examples: Ecademy, BT Tradespace

Brain-Building Network – Sites that focus on an exchange of information and business support that aim to bring together professionals – often from one area of business – to exchange ideas and solve problems. Example: Web Wednesdays

Referral-Building Network – Sites that focus on business building that aim to connect members so they can get to know each other’s skills and previous experiences, which leads to recommendations, referrals and word-of-mouth marketing. Examples: Linkedin, BT Tradespace

Also, quoted in this article is fellow business networking blogger Andy Lopata. Check out Andy's guest post at The Recognition of Excellence.

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15 Benefits You Could Receive From Showing That You Care

In order for relationship building to effectively work, you need to care and show an interest in others.  You need to be interested in others before you ask them for help. 

People will appreciate your nice gesture and it will open up opportunities for you. While you may not see these opportunities immediately, it will happen as you get to know people better.

So, below are 15 benefits that you could experience if you take an interest in others:

1. You could be notified of new job opportunities

2. You could find potential employees

3. You could receive business leads

4. You could receive business introductions / referrals

5. You could find new business partners

6. You could form friendships

7. You could be asked to speak at a business meeting

8. You could be asked to submit articles in a business publication

9. You could elevate your personal brand

10. You could build a sizable network

11. You could be recognized in the business community as someone to know

12. You could be a valuable contact in other people’s networks

13. You could come us across new opportunities

14. You could find a mentor

15. You could feel good about yourself because you are helping others

What other benefits do you think one could receive from taking an interest in others?

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Self-Confidence is a Must for Business and Personal Success

Self-confidence is a must for building relationships and becoming more successful.  People want to do business with individuals who are confident.  Why would you do business with people who are wishy-washy and not sure of themselves?

The following reasons can explain why people lack self-confidence:

1. Inexperienced so not yet comfortable with selling self and business

2. Don’t have confidence in self / don’t believe in self

3. Fear of rejection

4. Fear of success

5. Never given a chance to shine in career

6. Put too much pressure on self to succeed quickly / desperate to make a quick sale

7. Think negative about everything

How often do you notice some of the above when meeting people? Maybe you suffer from some of these issues as well. Regardless of what ailment you may have, you need to work on overcoming your challenges and start to think more positive about what you can achieve.

With enough experience and successes, you will naturally become self-confident. However, we all suffer from a lack of self-confidence at times regardless of how seasoned we are as professionals.

So, you need to continuously work on your confidence by trying some of below methods, which will make you feel better about yourself and your offering:

1. Become a subject matter expert in your industry so you will have the knowledge to talk to anyone about your company or expertise

2. Speak in front of groups about a topic that you have much knowledge about, which will make you more comfortable talking to people

3. Write articles for industry publications, which will open up opportunities for you

4. Publish your own blog that discusses your industry knowledge

5. Practice your personal introduction in front of friends or your spouse so you will become more comfortable introducing yourself to others

6. Find a mentor or confide in your existing mentor

Once we feel confident in ourselves, others will be more confident of our abilities as well. It is important to start with yourself before you can expect others to trust you.

You need to carry yourself in high regard and not let setbacks bring you down.  Take every situation as a learning opportunity to become a stronger individual.

Just remember, confidence breeds success.

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Get Over Yourself and Stop Blaming Your Network

Dr. Ivan Misner, founder of BNI, wrote an excellent article, Stop Blaming Your Network, for Entrepreneur.com. According to Ivan, after people feel unsatisfied with referrals coming from their referral network, they start to blame the people in their network for doing a poor job.

In reality, it is your fault that it is not working. Ask yourself the following questions to help determine if you need to do more:

1. Do I follow up with people on a regular and timely basis?

2. Am I more concerned about my needs?

3. Do I spend time helping others?

4. Have I spent time educating my network on what I do?

5. Have I educated my network on my firm's products and services?

In order to leverage your network more, you need to be proactive and build relationships for the long haul. At the same time, you need stop keeping score and always look for ways to help others without expecting anything in return. In due time, your rewards will come.

Make sure to read Ivan's entire article, Stop Blaming Your Network.

Related Post: Interview: Dr. Ivan Misner, Founder, BNI

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Why Relationship Building is Necessary for Business Success

It should go without saying that building relationships is a no brainer for business success. However, many people either don’t care or take this activity very serious. Over time, it should be natural and integrated into your everyday life.   

Below are 10 reasons why relationship building is a necessary evil for business success:

1. Generate leads, find customers, and increase revenues

2. Find partners, capture market share, and increase revenues

3. Build up a network that you can leverage when appropriate

4. Enhance your firm’s visibility in the marketplace

5. Develop your personal brand and become more visible with your peers

6. Feel good about yourself because you know various people

7. Become a more valuable employee because of your established network

8. Attract people who want to connect with you and present you with new opportunities

9. Develop friendships that will last a life time

10. Become a more well rounded and seasoned business professional

What other reasons can you add to this list?

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How You Can Relate Valentine’s Day to Networking

With another Valentine’s Day here and gone, I spent some time reflecting on how this special day (at least for some) is related to what we do as relationship builders.

Buy a Gift of Appreciation

In both cases, it is important to buy gifts for people who you appreciate. So, with Valentine’s Day, you better make sure that you buy your special someone a gift on this day. It could be a gift of love such as flowers, candy, or a teddy bear or something that you know this person wants such as a book, CD, or shirt.  With relationship building, it is a good idea, from time to time, that you buy gifts for certain people within your network. As you get to know people, you will have a good sense of their interests so you may buy items such as books, desk accessories, or clothing.  The point is that you need to show your appreciation for certain people in your life so buying gifts is a great idea.

Invite Someone to a Special Meal

In both cases, it is important that you invite people to dine with you.  With Valentine’s Day, you most likely will be having dinner with your significant other.  With networking, inviting people to dinner is an important step to building relationships. Each week, you should make an effort to invite people to coffee, lunch, or dinner.  Pick a new person to dine with each time so you can get to know multiple people much better.  People will appreciate your invitation so make this is a priority in your relationship building toolkit.

Show That You Care

In both cases, it is extremely important to show that you care. Otherwise, you will have a hard time developing meaningful relationships.  With Valentine’s Day, it is obvious but you should show that you care about the person you are spending time with by inviting to a meal, buying a gift, demonstrating good conversation, or smiling.  With relationship building, it is crucial that you take an interest in people by acting sincere and caring about others.  You can show this by asking good questions, paying attention in conversations, sending articles of interest, and being genuine. You need to continuously find ways to show that you truly care about individuals and their interests.

How else can you relate Valentine's Day to networking?

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Social Networking Sites Actually Help Boost Businesses

For some businesses, Facebook and other online networking tools are not distractions but rather business boosters.

Future Exploration Network chairman Ross Dawson says that a firm's success increasingly hinges on its ability to share knowledge and expertise both with its employees and external clients.   "Organisations have always functioned like social networks," he said. "People are more likely to get information from the people they know well or like, or the ones they believe have the relevant expertise."   

"It's about the ability to connect expertise and talent in ways which are more efficient and effective in creating value … whether that means finding new business opportunities or responding to market place changes," he said.

Very interesting comments because businesses are finally starting to adopt social networking. See my previous post: Corporations Are Finally Embracing Social Networking.  Relationships are so important so it is good to see that firms finally understand that online networking tools are important for driving business.

For the entire article on this subject, check out Social networking sites help boost business: expert.

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