Networking Insight

10 Results of Good Business Relationships

It takes time to build quality relationships, which are important for business success. You should take relationship building serious. Below are 10 outcomes of good quality relationships:

1. Receive quality leads that turn into business
2. Build mutually beneficial partnerships
3. Foster life long frienships
4. Find high quality employees
5. Build a strong professional brand
6. Become recognized as a subject matter expert
7. Form an informal board of advisors
8. Find out about job opportunities
9. Invited to speak or participate at events
10. Enjoy having a diverse and strong network

What other outcomes can you think of?

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Stay Relevant with Your Network

In order to build long-term and sustainable relationships, you should find ways to consistently stay relevant to your network. If people don't find value in the relationship, then they will most likely not continue to support you.

We are all busy so we have to pick and choose who to interact with on a regular basis. In addition, we are bombarded with emails and information daily so we need to have a filter.  So, you should find ways to stand out from all of the noise.

Take the time to get to know those in your network so you can direct resources, expertise, or information to certain people. You should find ways to add value to the relationship.

Also, think of ways to stay in touch with your entire network by providing valuable information or resources. Email newsletters are a great way to share beneficial information with a large group of people. Just make sure that you are not selling your services / products but rather demonstrating your expertise.

Host your own events so you can invite your contacts. At the events, make it a point to connect people together. Both parties will appreciate the thoughfulness. In addition, make email introductions when appropriate. Your efforts will be appreciated.

Be creative in who you stay relevant. The more effort you put into it, the stronger and higher quality of a network you will have at your disposal.

What other ways do you stay relevan with your networtk?

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EFactor Presents: Got Funding? - 9/25

Below are details of an event that I have co-organized:

EFactor Presents: Got Funding

As an entrepreneur you know that funding is critical. It helps to have some money to your business off the ground or expand it when a great opportunity comes up.  Traditional sources are tough in this economy, but all if takes is a little imagination and some expert advice about some of the great new channels for funding now available.

If you are looking for funding, then you have come to the right place and it's time to register! This event will educate entrepreneurs about various funding options for start-ups and small business owners. From angel investing and debt financing, to bootstrapping and small business loans, this not-to-be-missed event will feature experts from each funding niche.

Speakers Include

• George Deeb, Managing Partner, Red Rocker Venture Partners (bootstrapping)
• Joe Dwyer, Venture Partner, OCA Ventures (equity funding)
• Corliss Garner, VP Commercial Banking, BMO Harris Bank (debt funding)

Event Details

• Date: 9/25/12
• Time: 6-9pm
• Location: Catapult Chicago, 321 N. Clark St., Suite 2250, Chicago
• Price: $10 early bird, $15 regular, $20 at door
• Sponsors: EFactor, Catapult Chicago, Money Physicians

For more details and to register, go to http://www.efactor.com/gotfundingchicago

Book Review: Mastering Communication at Work by Ethan Becker & Jon Wortmann

Mastering Communication at Work was written by Ethan Becker and Jon Wortmann who are both leadership communication experts. Ethan is president and senior coach for Speech Improvement Company and he specializes in motivating teams, strengthening executive communication, controlling fear of speaking, and developing effectiveness in public presentations. Jon is the principal of Muse Arts, LLC. and is an advisor and speaker on leaderhip, communication, and building trusted relationships.

The book is broken up into the following chapters:

• Match Your Listener's Tendency
• Manage Your Ethos
• Speak to Motivate
• Frame
• Validate
• Add Color
• Defensiveness
• Meetings
• Hiring
• Delegation
• Criticism
• Presentations
• Communication as a Hard Sell

Communication is critical to anyone's success whether inside or outside of the work environment. In order to have an impact within your organization, it is important to have a communication playbook so you can react positively to various situations around you. 

The book provides a guide on becoming a master communicator.  The authors provide techniques that you can easily implement to have immediate impact on teams, clients, and your relationships. By understanding the strategies in this book, you can improve your organization.

Below are a few of the concepts discussed in the book:

• Clear, actionable advice you can put to use right away
• Descriptions of the communication tendencies everyone needs to be able to identify and execute
• Simple drills to practice during your next meeting, one-on-one conversation, or even sitting at your desk
• Case studies, success stories, and original research proving the impact of the authors' techniques and formats

The authors do a nice job of explaining the various concepts in a very logical manner. By sprinkling case studies throughout the book, the reader has a real world understanding of the impact of a particular technique.  If you want to learn how to be a more effective listener, communicator, and leader, then this book may be worth a read. 

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