Networking Insight

Find Multiple Employees Through Your Network

Relationships are critical to building and growing a company, especially when it comes to finding good employees. In the early days of a company, leveraging your network is generally an effective and inexpensive way to find employees. Really at any stage of development, your network can be a critical ally.

You want to find people who are trusted and good referrals. Usually your network can make those recommendations. Many times those making the introductions are similar to the candidates that they refer. If you like the demeanor, work ethic, and personality of the referrer, then chances are those who they recommend you will like as well. Of course, some referrals may be bad hires but that can happens even if you pay a recruiter to assist you.

Another great tool that can leverage your network is LinkedIn. Spend time researching potential candidates on LinkedIn and then ask for introductions to those in your network who have first degree connections. In fact, many recruiters leverage LinkedIn to find good qualified candidates. The bigger your LinkedIn network, the more opportunity to find a wide variety of candidates. However, make sure that you know those who you connect with on LinkedIn vs. just trying to connect with everyone. If you ask for an introduction from someone who you barely know (or don't know at all), chances are that this person will not be helpful in connecting you to a potential candidate.

Focus on building a diverse network across genders, industries, skillsets, and geographies. The more diverse your network, the better chance that you will be able to leverage your relationships to find a variety of employees

 

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20 Words to Jump Start Your Business Relationships for the New Year

During the holidays at year end, you want to make sure that you are still focused on building business relationships early in the new year. Since holiday time is generally more relaxed, take the time to prepare and motivate yourself for the new year. Make the new year a great time to build up your network.

Below are 20 words to jump start the new year for your relationship building:

1. Customers
2. Revenue
3. Investors
4. Partnerships
5. Friends
6. Brand
7. Job
8. Strategy
9. Opportunity
10. Social
11. Connection
12. Mentorship
13. Event
14. Lunch
15. Coffee
16. Newsletter
17. Media
18. Invitation
19. Sponsor
20. Fun

What other words come to mind?

 

Key Takeways from a Good First Business Interaction

First impressions are extremely important in the business world. Your first encounter with someone will usually determine if a relationship will begin to develop. Below are key takeaways from a good first business interaction. Changes are that a relationship will continue if any of these happen.

- You exchange business cards - Usually business cards are only exchanged if you feel a connection and want to continue the discussion.

- Mention will do something - When getting to know people it is a good idea to find out what needs they have. If you say that you will assist a person with something, then chances are that you want to develop the relationship further. If the other person also commits to doing something, that further solidifies that a relationship is being developed. Of course, you both need to follow up and follow through for the relationship to continue.

- Want to make introductions - While finding out what a person needs, you may quickly think of some introductions that you can make. When you want to bring people in your network together, then you are building relationships. It is good to continually find ways to bring your network together.

- Feel a personal bond - After speaking with someone, you sometimes can tell right away that a bond has been formed. When this feeling happens, you should mostly likely pursue building that relationship.

- Have many people in common - When getting to know someone, you sometimes find out right away that you have people in common. If you both respect and know some of the same people, then chances are that you will like each enough to want to form a long lasting relationship.

What other key takeaways come to mind?

 

Relationships are Critical for Entrepreneurial Success

When building or growing a company, relationships are an important component for an entrepreneur's success. Leveraging existing relationships are a great way to find employees, customers, partners, investors, and advocates.

Those in your network generally want to see you succeed so usually assist how ever they can. Of course, it depends on how good your relationships are with certain people. That is why is important to nurture relationships over time so when you need the assistance, certain individuals in your network will be there for you.

When stating a company, entrepreneurs should lean heavily on their network to gain early traction with the initial building blocks of launching a company: contractors, employees, capital, co-founders, etc. Make sure to reach out to people who you think can assist you. Be strategic about who you ask and why. You should generally start with people who you have the strongest relationship with in your network. At the same time, find ways to assist them too. Hopefully, you have already provided value over time so when you have an ask they are there for you right away.

While growing a company, similar needs may exist but again be strategic on your asks. You may ask less people for assistance but you should know exactly who to contact. At the same time, you may need to build new relationships to generate sales or raise capital. You can leverage your existing network to ask for introductions. LinkedIn is another great business tool to ask for introductions.

Regardless of what stage your company is in, you shouldn't have to do every thing alone. Leverage your relationships to assist you along the way. Nurture your relationships so you can build them for the long term. One of your biggest assets is your network. Keep it strong and diverse.

Five Ways to Stay Top of Mind with Your Network

Building and maintaining relationships takes time and effort. It can be challenging to stay connected to everyone in your network. As a result, you may lose touch with some good contacts.  By staying top of mind, you will stay more relevant with certain people and you will be able to maintain more of your relationships over the long term.

Below are five ways to stay top of mind with those in your network.

1. Create a newsletter - Develop your own newsletter that you send out monthly or quarterly. Make sure to have valuable content vs you just selling your product or service.

2. Host your own events - From time to time, host your own event and invite those in your network. Events are a great way to bring your network to you.

3. Make introductions - When appropriate, connect people together. Your contacts will appreciate you thinking of them, especially if they end up doing business together.

4. Meet for lunch or drinks - Each week, you should make an effort to meet with someone in your network for lunch, coffee, or drinks. You should have most of your lunches full each week. Face time is important for relationship building.

5. Write articles - Spend time writing blog posts or published articles. Once completed, send them to your network. Branding yourself around a subject matter expertise is a great way for people to remember you.

What other ways can you stay on top of mind with your network?

Seven Reasons for Entrepreneurs to Get Excited About Their Network

Building a quality and diverse network can be a great asset to any professional. So, if you take the time to nurture your network, then you will reap the benefits, especially if you are building your own company.

Here are seven reasons to get excited about your network, especially if you are an entrepreneur:

1. Clients - You should be getting introductions from people in your network. The new referrals could turn into new clients. Take the introductions serious. You never know what could happen

2. Employees - You should be getting introductions to potential employees. Or you may meet potential employees at events. Either way, most potential employees will be found through your network.

3. Strategic Partners - You should be getting introductions to potential partners. The more that you build up your brand and reputation, the more that people will think of you and make these introductions.

4. Capital - The main way to raise capital is through your network. Leverage your network when you are raising capital. At some point, you may get introductions to investors.

5. Friends - One of the benefits of building quality relationships is that you will also form friendships with some of your business acquaintances.

6. Your Personal Brand - Over time, your personal brand will be enhanced. The more that you positively interact with others, the more they will see you as a subject matter expert. When this happens, referrals and opportunities will come your way.

7. Learn - By interacting with various people, you will learn about businesses, industries, products, services, etc. Make sure to absorb what people have to say. You will become more in tune with various areas of business.

What other reasons should be you excited about your network if you are an entrepreneur?

 

Build Relationships During the Holidays

While Memorial Day is an important time to recognize and support our American troops, It is also an important time to celebrate with family and friends. Holidays are the perfect time to relax and get to know others in a more casual environment.

In order to build long lasting relationships with some people, you should get to know them more on a personal basis. Find ways to get together with people whether it is on the golf course or a BBQ. Organize your own gathering and invite people to join you.

If someone invites you to join their family or friends celebration, then make an effort to at least stop by if you can. By showing an initiative to attend an invited gathering, you will strengthen your relationship.

In addition to hanging out with friends, focus on building stronger bonds with your family too. Learn more about their professional lives. You never know what you may find out.

Family bonds can be extremely powerful in business if managed properly. Take the time during the holidays to solidify some of your family connections. After talking with some of your family members during the holidays, make a plan to get together more regularly to discuss business.

Regardless of what happens, enjoy yourself during the holidays.  Appreciate your family and friends and find ways to assist one another.

 

Seven Strategies for Building Relationships During Spring

With spring in full swing and summer just around the corner, take the time to maximize relationship building before the summer craziness gets underway. Spring in an in between time of year where the temperature can be both cold and warm. Summer activities still need to start including sports and vacations. So, take the time during spring to grow your relationships.

Here are seven relationship building strategies during spring.

1.  Meet for Coffee or Lunch - Since the weather is iffy, take the time to meet people during the week for coffee or lunch. It is easier this time of the year to stay indoors.

2.  Host your own events - Take the time to organize events in which you bring people to you. Have a panel discussion, keynote, or happy hour.

3. Connect on LinkedIn - Focus on meeting new people on LinkedIn. Get introductions from your network or reach out to people who are two degrees away via InMail. You will be surprised as to who you can meet on LinkedIn.

4. Ask for Introductions - Reach out to people in your network and let them know who you want to meet. Ask them for introductions to these types of people. Most people are happy to make introductions.

5. Attend Events - Make an effort to attend a few events per month. Diversify which types of events you attend. You can meet some interesting people who will become part of your network.

6. Share Resources - Whenever you find an article or a resource that you know will benefit some people, send it their way. They will appreciate you thinking about them. You should always try to add value to those in your network.

7. Make Introductions - As you meet new people, connect them to those already in your network. By doing so, you are finding another way to add value to people in your network.

What other strategies do you suggest?

What Does Networking Mean to You?

Business networking has various meaning and impact for people. For some, it is a means to an end. For others, it may be a natural part of every day life. Regardless of the meaning, we can admit that is an important aspect of doing business.

So, what does networking mean to you? Why do you take part in this activity? Do you even realize that you are networking? Let's take a deeper dive into what networking is according to Wikipedia:

Networking is a socioeconomic business activity by which businesspeople and entrepreneurs meet to form business relationships and to recognize, create, or act upon business opportunities, share information and seek potential partners for ventures.

Let's break this apart further:

Networking is a socioeconomic business activity - We can agree that networking is a social activity with people talking to one another. Also, it often takes places in a business environment whether physical or virtual.

Businesspeople and entrepreneurs meet - Often networking is associated with the business world so professionals, which include entrepreneurs often interact on a regular basis as part of doing business.

Recognize, create, or action upon business opportunities, share information, and seek potential partners for ventures - The reason that businesspeople interact with another is for a reason. They want to make something happen to move their career or companies forward. Many times there is an action step that needs to be taken after talking with someone. When this happens, then networking starts becoming relationship building.

So, why do you network? Are you looking for a particular result?  

 

Jump Start Your Relationships in the New Year

With each new year comes new goals. Take the time to reflect on your relationship building this past year. What would you do differently? Who would you like to meet? Now is the time to start planning to jump start your relationships for 2017.

Spend a good amount of time nurturing your existing relationships. Go through your contact database and contact those who you still value in your network. Ask some of them out for lunch or coffee. Catch up with them so you also become top of mind. It is important to stay in front of people on a consistent basis.

Find time to meet new people as well. You can do this by attending events, connecting with people on LinkedIn, or ask for referrals. Try a variety of techniques. Make an effort to meet new people each month. It is important to always be adding new people to your network.

Make the effort to brand yourself through various strategies such as social media, speaking, writing articles, or hosting your own events. Let people know about your expertise by demonstrating your skills or knowledge.  You should consistently be in front of people so they know about you.  Be memorable and opportunities will come your way.

Make the new year a chance to accelerate and enhance your relationships. As a result, your career and professional life will soar.