Tweet

Building a Solid Network

Written by: Alvah Parker

Article Overview: A client who has a fine arts degree wanted to move out of his successful career in advertising and into the real estate development business. He had already enrolled in a top notch MBA program to learn more about the field. In addition he had found work with a bank doing real estate appraisals

Building a Solid Network

A client who has a fine arts degree wanted to move out of his successful career in advertising and into the real estate development business. He had already enrolled in a top notch MBA program to learn more about the field. In addition he had found work with a bank doing real estate appraisals.

With another year to go in the MBA program he came to me to work on creating a plan for becoming a real estate developer.

It is not unusual for someone to study one thing in college, try it for a while and then decide that there is another field that is more appealing. This dramatic change however brought up all kinds of fears for my client.

His first concern was that potential employers would look at his resume and see nothing on it that would indicate he had the skills necessary for his new career. He wasn’t sure that he really knew exactly what a career in real estate development entailed or even if it was the right choice for him. Finally he was worried because all his connections were in advertising.

Those questions could easily be answered by someone already in the field. Where could he find some names and an entre? One place that many of my clients overlook when they are looking to make new connections is their college alumnae office. Most alums truly want to be helpful to students and fellow alumnae. My client could easily make use of the alumni office at his current business school. The best way to make a new connection is to have a common interest (your college) or a mutual friend that connects you.

My client was still a bit reticent. “Do you think they will really talk to me?” he asked. I asked him to think back in his advertising career to a time when someone he didn’t know well called him out of the blue to ask for something. How did he feel about it? Did he help?

Often the person being called is flattered by the attention and is eager to help. Ten years ago a young man who had been a student of mine 25 years prior to that called me to reconnect. He actually called to tell me what an impact my teaching had made on his life. I was flattered and delighted to hear from him.

The young man who called me wasn’t looking for help at that moment. Keeping in touch with your network even when you don’t have questions to ask makes it easier to reconnect when you need help or information. Those people who willingly help others will find many helping hands when they need help themselves. Be sure to be that helping person yourself! :-)

Professors and teachers from your school days can be powerful sources of information too if you stay in touch with them. If you are currently in school, nurture those relationships. If you are out of school it is never too late to rekindle them. (My former student waited 25 years!!)

Building a solid network of people is important and can be fun. Get started early on it and be systematic about keeping track of the people, information about them, and the frequency with which you contact them. Be prepared however to help those in your network too. To build a thriving network the communications and support has to go both ways!

Take Action:


Make a list of people you know and who you want to remain in touch with. Select someone you haven’t spoken to in a while and make the connection.

Call your college or graduate school alumni office for names and telephone numbers of people in a field you are exploring. Call one of the names on the list. Let me know what happens!

Find a way to track your contacts. A spread sheet or contact management software are two ways to manage this information.

To keep track of your contacts personal information take a look at the 66 questions that Harvey MacKay suggests in Swim With The Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive. To purchase the book from Amazon click on book title.

Related Articles
  Residual Income Opportunities: Steps To Generate Residual Income
  Relax. It’s Only A Network Marketing “Dweam”.
  Network Marketing Business Opportunities - A World Of Choices
  You Must Have Multiple Income Streams in Your Home Based Business
  Are There Holes In Your Network?

Article Tags: development business, doing real estate, mba program, real estate appraisals, real estate development, top notch



Related Forum Posts
10 best franchises to get involved - My advice is: 1) Go to the library and start reading business books (accounting, finance, etc.) 2) Go to your local community college and enroll in night classes 3) Join the local Chamber of Commerce 4) Network / Network / Network -- through the above sources. Once you have spent two years doing the above, then look for a 55 - 60 year old business person that is looking to reduce their time in the business. Then you can work on a sweetheart financing option.
Type of business with building - If you owned a building and Wal-Mart was opening its doors across the street in a previously unoccupied area (along with 12-14 small shops), what type of business would you start? Here are the considerations: 1. Money is a non-factor 2. Building is fairly large (10,000) square feet 3. Building is on the corner of a busy intersection (about to get much busier)
Re: MLM Marketing, youtube, and buzzirk mobile. - I have experience with MLM too. My initial reaction to the business was "snake-oil salesman" but once I got to understand the "overall business model" I am now an advocate to it. MLM (Multi-Level Marketing) is also known as Network Marketing. I realized an MLM business is no different than any other business. One needs to focus on both words "Network" and "Marketing" and give both equal respect. Some people focus heavily on the Networking part but forget "Marketing". I've started to use Building on a Budget and Magnetic Sponsoring concepts in my NM business and have found that people don't get involved so much because of the product but more because of what you bring to the table as far as marketing systems and support. I have both products listed in my signature. you don't have to buy it as the link to the free videos itself provides you a good understanding of what is required to position yourself as my above paragraph. If you do plan on purchasing it I can tell you that the measly $40 will open your eyes BUT your upline will not be too happy (atleast in the short term) beacuse the system is not duplicateable. I wrote this post as a polar post to Bulmer's reply as I have exhausted the friends and family networking and realized i never really focused on marketing. My leads now are more qualified and open to hearing about my opportunity than the other way around. my 2 cents if you plan on growing an MLM or Networking Marketing business.
Re: UPDATES: New Campaign! New Layout! New Ideas! - GT - thanks for the FYI - I'm not sure if we'll put a link back. Something to consider though! Trent - the new category is "Social Network and Media" which was put in to compliment the Online Businesses category that currently exists. Overall the new categories are: - Looking For, Networking and Events - Review My... - Social Network and Media - Brags and Rants These came as a result of Ringo doing research on other forums and thinking about what could be improved on ours to give a better experience for everyone. I hope you enjoy them! David, I'm looking forward to reading your Brag / Rant!
Re: Seven Marketing Strategies To Attract The Affluent Buyer - Hello, Building confidence with positive communication skill is very helpful and it helps in attracting consumers. Regards, sarah_9


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Tweet

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

Small Business Internet Marketing

SEO – Link Building Secrets

The Right Job - Part Five 'Compensation'

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.