Networking Insight

Is Your Grandparent Using Online Social Networks?

According Research Group, "a full 26% of Internet users over the age of 65 are now visiting social networking sites such as Facebook." The study discovered that the growth rate of this category is roughly the same as 18-29 year old two years ago. These sites are a good place for grandparents to connect with their grandchildren through photos, videos, and updates. In addition, these sites are used to connect with people in their past and to find support groups for sicknesses.

It is hard to ignore the 65 and older generation because they are surrounded by the digital age. Expect this demographic to continue to grow.

For more information, go to Grandparents signing up for social networking in droves.

What do you think?

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Social Networking Humor

 

10 Words to Describe a Personal Brand

Your personal brand is an important component of building relationships. People will generally do business with you versus your company because of you. Take good care of your brand and make an effort to build it and keep it positive. Below are 10 words that describe a personal brand.

1. Perception

2. Expertise

3. Identity

4. Self-Impression

5. Personality

6. Gestures

7. Visibility

8. Consistency

9. Relationships

10. Message

What other words describe a personal brand?

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Always Be on the Hunt to Help Others

In order to truly build long term and sustainable relationships, you need to help people in your network. As you come across opportunities or meet new people, reach out to individuals in your network and offer to connect them to these resources.

The more you start thinking about your network in this way, the easier it will be to plug in the right people.  Over time, it will be very natural for you to help others. The more that you help others the stronger your relationships will become. In addition, your personal brand will be seen in a positive light with your network and business community. Word will get around that you are a giver, not a taker.

So, always be thinking of others and how you can help them. The people in your life will appreciate your kindness. When the time comes that you need help, they will be there for you and reciprocate. Also, as some of these people come across opportunities, they will reach out to you.  You never know when your efforts will be paid back to you. Don’t keep score because your primary thought should be to help others.

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Social Networking Humor

 

Book Review: I.D.E.A to Exit by Jeffrey Weber

I.D.E.A. to Exit: An Entrepreneurial Journey was written by Jeffrey Weber who after starting his business in a basement sold it to a Fortune 500 company a decade later. Jeff shares his extraordinary journey in an informative and entertaining story that will inspire entrepreneurs and others who are thinking about starting their own business. 

The book is a practical guide about the fear and risk or starting, running, and selling a business. In the book, Jeff shares his real world experience and methodologies of how he achieved entrepreneurial success.

The book is divided up into the following phases:

Phase I: Idea

Phase II: Startup

Phase III: Running

Phase IV: Exit

Phase V: Moving on

Within each phase, the author explores the various stages of a business life cycle in a combined total of 44 chapters of great content.  At the same time, the author shares the emotional side of being an entrepreneur and discusses how he felt throughout his experience.  By the time you are done reading each chapter, you should have all of your doubts and concerns addressed about taking the leap into entrepreneurship.

Some of the questions addressed in the book include:

• Having difficulty taking action on your ideas?
• Fear preventing you from pursuing your dream?
• Is your business suffering from an inability to scale or innovate?
• Do you have an exit plan to maximize your company’s value?
• Find it hard to differentiate yourself in a commoditized world?

What is unique about this book is that it is told from the entrepreneur’s perspective versus an academic perspective.  

As you are reading this book, you will connect with the author and will come away feeling like you know him. The conversational tone of this book makes it an enjoyable read.  

Whether you already started a business or have dreams of starting one, I.D.E.A. to Exit: An Entrepreneurial Journey is a worthwhile read and can be your guide.

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Are You a Networking Muppet? by Jason Armishaw

I’ve always enjoyed Ben Young’s blog. His posts are short, to the point, and get you thinking. In fact, it was Ben who helped start me on my blogging journey. While scanning his blog one evening, I came across an old post I enjoy called ‘The muppet ratio’. In it, Ben explains whether or not an event is worth staying at based on the people attending. Is it a coincidence that I found myself thinking about ‘the muppet ratio’ the next morning? I think not. 

Arriving early for breakfast, I had the first pick of meeting people as they rolled up for the seminar. One by one they all rushed in. Me, bustling around, trying to play it cool; one hand grasping a bagel, the other shaking the hands of people new to me. And then....5...4...3...2...1... 

“Hi, I’m Jason. What brought you guys to the event this morning?” I said. 

“hah, we don’t know. The boss made us come. Quite frankly, I’m not too keen to be here.” the two of them replied. 

This caught me off guard. I didn’t know quite what to say so I used one of my ‘exit lines’ and got out of there. Phew...

After my escape, I started thinking about my experience. Several questions crossed my mind. They were:

- If they didn’t want to attend the seminar (for learning or networking) why did the boss make them come? Did he really think these staff members were going to be productive and make a good impression?

- Were they doing more damage to their brand (both personally and professionally) by sticking around at an event they had no interest in?

This seems like Muppet behaviour to me. If you’re going to an event, whether by choice or because you have to, try to enjoy yourself! Nobody expects you to ‘score’ the biggest deal of the year, however, it would be nice (for your own self-confidence and to keep your boss happy) if you made one new friend. It’s not hard, it just takes a little effort of your half. What do you really have to loose? 

For me, the event was a success. I left happy, having met three new people and successfully connecting each of them to someone who could help their business. I also built a closer relationship with another contact that I met earlier in the year. 

Link to ‘The muppet ratio’

Link to Ben Young’s blog

Link to ‘Exit lines’

Link to Jason Armishaw's blog, The People People

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Seven Ways to Follow-Up With New People

After you attend an event, you should follow-up with those that you connect with and want to get to know better. It is challenging to follow-up with everyone so only follow-up with a handful after each event that you attend. With the variety of communication tools today, below are seven ways that you can follow-up with people to continue to build relationships. You don’t need to utilize all of these techniques at the same time. 

1. Phone call –Yes, the good old fashioned way to communicate is still a great tool and it adds a personal element missed sometimes with technology.

2. Email – Following up via email is a quick way to reach out to others. With email, people can respond on their own time and you can send information and documents of interest.

3. LinkedIn – The behemoth of online business networking, LinkedIn, is a must in today’s environment. Add people to your network and send them a note via this system.

4. Facebook – Leverage the biggest online social network to connect and get to know people better.  Like Linkedn, add people to your network and send them a note.

5. Twitter – One of the new ways to communicate is via Twitter. Messages are short and to the point. Start following people you meet and once they follow you, send them a direct message.

6. Text Message – While this method may not be as personal, like Twitter, it is a quick way to connect and can be used to set up a phone call or meeting.

7.  E-Newsletter – Add people to your email newsletter so you can stay in touch with them on a regular basis. As long as you are adding value, most people will stay engaged. This method should probably be used after you reach out through one of the other methods first. 

What other methods do you use to follow-up with others?

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Qualify Your Introductions

Part of the process of building quality relationships is making connections between people. One of the best ways to help people is to open up your network.  Before you make any introductions, you should spend time getting to know both parties to make sure that an introduction makes sense.

As you get to know people ask them about the types of people who they would like to meet.  Come away with a good understanding of their business and personal interests.  Make sure to take notes in your contact database system so you can have this information at your disposal. 

Once you get to know more about someone, you can then assess who is the right connection.  Once you feel there is a good match, make the introduction. 

Even before you make the introduction, you may want to check with each party to make sure that an introduction is okay. Once approved on both ends, your introduction will be seamless because each party will be expecting the introduction. When this happens, chances are very high that each party will spend time getting to know one another.

So, spend the time qualifying your introductions. By doing so, you will come across as a good listener and great connector. Your network will appreciate your process.

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Put Your Best Foot Forward by Lillian D. Bjorseth

At a recent networking event at Hard Rock Café, I was relaxing between conversations and had chosen a seat alone where I could continue to observe the crowd. The entertainers/loud music were making me almost yell to be heard and my throat was begging for a break.

Soon a woman sat down next to me, and I smiled politely and asked how she was enjoying the event. She replied, “I am exhausted and I want to go home. However, I’ve only spoken to five people, and I need to meet ten.”     Without making me her sixth “victim,” she hopped up and was on her determined way again.

On the way home, I pondered her answer and it raised myriad questions for me.

1.    Why did she have to meet 10 people?

2.    Was this number self-imposed by something she had read or heard?

3.    If she was truly so tired would the interactions be heartfelt and worthwhile? 

4.    Why didn’t she introduce herself and speak with me? After all we were sitting, and that had to be more comfortable if she was already so tired?

5.    Why did she come at all … perhaps because she had paid in advance?

I believe in quality vs. quantity. While I created the 10-Minute Rule to Work an Event to make sure you don’t settle in with a few people, I also believe in making each interaction worthwhile. I am still pondering how to do that when you are exhausted and dreaming of being at home.

My conclusion: Follow your heart. If you want to stay until the last light goes out … do so. If occasionally you want to go leave an event early, go home and kick up your feet … do so.

There’s always another networking opportunity tomorrow, the next day and next week. It’s more important that you put your best foot forward than that you just put a foot forward.

About the Author

Lillian is President of Duoforce Enterprises, Inc. and is a highly sought-after communication and business networking skills speaker, trainer, coach and author. The Chicago Tribune calls her a “networking expert,” and the Association Forum of Chicagoland dubs her “the business networking authority.” Her many products are essential components for excellence in networking and communication skills. To follow her thoughts, go to her blog Lillian Communicates.