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Guest post by: Kathleen R. Smart Become an Author

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The first step in creating a successful resource network -is to admit that your skills could use some improvement. Begin to evaluate whether your skills and resources are bringing you the desired return on your investment.

If time is one of the most precious resources we have, and if our intentions are truly centered on building relationships, and positive connections for doing business- how can we truly give our best if we are involved with too many different groups? How much money are you putting in the bank at the end of the week? What are you putting in your personal development savings account?

Here are some tips for growing your trusted resource network:

Take Inventory of Your Networks:
What are you worth per hour? Calculate the hours per week you spent networking. This includes online and offline. Determine the hours and values you receive from that time and calculate what the involvement fees or membership dues are. Determine real business received and future potential.
** Keep in mind that some of your time will equate to research and development for future rewards.

Tagging your contacts, both online and offline:
Some online networks or programs enable you to search by tags. By tagging, you can identify where the contact lives, what type of product or service they provide and when and where you met.

Send cards or e-mail to each of your contacts at various times:
Send an e-mail to your contacts and ask for an update on their business or personal success. You can also include an update of your own recent successes or challenges. Doing so- gives them an idea of how to respond to your message. Ask them what wins or hurdles they are currently facing in their business. Celebrate their successes with them.

This adds value to your contacts and most of all; it lets them know they are important to you and keeps you in touch with them. It also keeps your company and name in front of them. You never know who might need your product or services.

Welcome new members to your group:
Realize the need to make people feel more welcome and discover ways you can connect. A warm welcome note or an invitation to chat online, or in person can lead to developing a win/win for one another, and grow some new relationships for both friendship and business potential.

Think of some ways you can find value to offer your contacts:
Newsletters are beneficial but I LOVE the personal touch and sending someone a note with a message that concerns them- rather than a group blast and a personal note will help you to stand out! You can also forward some idea, information, or opportunity that might help them in their business

Teaming-up with your closest contacts:
Forming peer groups and meeting together monthly with other experienced network partners to look for unique ways to stay connected, and grow deeper and long lasting relationships can be beneficial. Sharing ideas will inspire and encourage growth in your groups.

Quality is more essential than the quantity of connections. If we are going to connect it is almost impossible to nurture and grow massive contacts. But over time if we really reach out and develop some relationships as we go, our REAL networks will grow and become much more valuable. My goal is to build more effective networks, and develop more relationships, so that over time, I will have a really large international group of friends, business and resource partners.

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