Networking Insight

Focus Your Relationship Building Efforts

Building relationshps can sometimes be a short in the dark. Generally, people who have a bad experience lack a focus on how they plan to meet the right people.

Rather than just attending a networking event and hoping to meet a good contact, spend time researching the types of people you want to meet. Find out where they hang out - online and offline.

The key is to put together a plan together so you can focus your efforts. Your plan may consist of attending industry events, joining associations, connecting online, or asking for introductions.

Once you start implementing some of these strategies, you can track your progress to see which ones work best. Some will work better than others to reach the people who want to meet.

At the same time, you should focus on building your personal brand. So, map out what you need to do so show your expertise.

Tools that can help include blogs, newsletters, Twitter, or a personal website. You can even host your own events to bring people to you.

Like any good strategic plan in business, you want to lay out steps, tactics, goals, and measurable outcomes. After awhile, it will become second nature and your relationships will soar.

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Greater Chicago Networking Extravaganza is Back on April 30!

We’re back, and we are creating “The Complete Networking Experience” just for you!

The 12th Greater Chicago Networking Extravaganza combines both forms of networking … face-to-face and online … because both are vital to the art and science of relationship building. You’ll get an integrated look at the benefits of both and how and when to pick and choose to achieve your objectives. You’ll hear firsthand from people who do it for a living!

We’ll start with our popular open networking giving you time to visit with our sponsors and other participants. The program begins with a look at face-to-face networking from Lillian Bjorseth, co-host and nationally renowned face-to-face speaker, trainer, coach and author.

Our online panel will feature three experts including Bethany Hartley, director of marketing for Chicago’s Women’s Business Development Center and Jeff Willinger, director of collaboration, social business and intranets for Rightpoint, and Greg Wittstock, founder and CEO of Aquascape.  Jim Treleaven, Ph.D., a multi-time CEO, an advisor to CEOs and adjunct facility member, will be the professional facilitator. Jason Jacobsohn, co-host and master connecter, will tie it together for you, sharing how both processes are vital to enhancing your image and bottom line success.

Event Details

- Wednesday, April 30, 2014

- 5:30 pm – 8:45 pm

- The Metropolitan Club, 233 S. Wacker, 67th Floor, Oak Room, Chicago

- Sponsors: The Metropolitan Club, Sandler Training, World Ventures, Paychex

- For more details and to RSVP, go to www.greaterchicagonetworking.com.

Book Review: Business Secrets of the Trappist Monks by August Turak

Business Secrets of the Trappist Monks was written by August Turak who founded two highly successful software businesses after a corporate career with firms such as MTV. His essay "Brother John" won the grand prize in the John Templeton Foundation's Power of Purpose essay contest. In addition, he has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, Selling Magazine, the New York Times, and Business Week.

The book is comprised of the following chapters:

• The Economic Miracle of Mepkin Abbey
• What We All Really Want
• The End of Selfishness
• Goat Rodeos and the Transformational Organization
• Mission
• Selflessness and Community
• Excellence for the Sake of Excellence
• Ethical Standards, or, Why Good Things Happen for Good People
• Faith
• The Power of Trust
• Self-knowledge and Authenticiy
• Living the Life

The author shares his experience living and working alongside the Trappist Monks of Mepkin Abbey for 17 years. He learned first hand as the monks grew a successful portfolio of businesses.

As a result, he learned valuable business lessons that he could apply to his own ventures. Throughtout the book, the author shares case studies of his own businesses as well as the monks at work.

His time spent with the monks was so profound that it was a life changing experience. In the book, he shows how the Trappist principles can be suucessfully applied to business and our personal lives.

Service and selflessness are the cornerstone of the monastic tradition's business success. This model preserves what is positive and productive about capitalism while transcending its ethical limitations and internal contradictions.

As a result, businesses can achieve greater success by learning and understsanding these principles. The author demonstrates his success and the success of other organizations who share the same business strategies.

The book is an interesting read that shares some great business and life principles that can enhance and advance one's situation. The author's style is inviting and easy to read.

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Why Snow is Good for Relationship Building

During the winter, especially this one, the weather is not as inviting to venture outside. While it is fun to play in the snow, it can slow down transportation and it is messy. What this means is that you will have a more difficult time attending events and meeting people in person.

So, take advantage of this time of the year to build your brand and communicate more digitally. While face to face is still an important component of relationship building, leverage the winter to connect online.

Spend more time writing blogs posts, build up your LinkedIn profile. send more tweets, create a newsletter. Find ways to stay active with your network and build up your online presence.

Send emails to people in your network to set up meetings when the weather is not treacherous. Be strategic about who you want to get to know better as well as help you grow your business.

In reference to the Disney movie, Frozen, "Let it Snow", and good things will happen. Take advantage of the winter to further build your relationships.

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