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What We Can Learn From Bill Clinton About Networking

Guest post by: Paul Tobey

Article Overview: Last week Alain Gervais, one of my readers called me to ask me the difference between networking and referrals. He had been successfully generating referrals and wondered if he was missing something. By the way I love to get feedback from my readers, and love to hear about successes you are having. This kind of feedback makes this task worthwhile.

What We Can Learn From Bill Clinton About Networking

Last week Alain Gervais, one of my readers called me to ask me the difference between networking and referrals. He had been successfully generating referrals and wondered if he was missing something. By the way I love to get feedback from my readers, and love to hear about successes you are having. This kind of feedback makes this task worthwhile.

I explained that like referrals, networking is a powerful business tool that every business owner should use extensively. However networking is more about establishing relationships with people you can count on for referrals to useful contacts or for helpful advice. So networking is a strategy for generating referrals, but that is not its only purpose. Networking takes practice and focus, and is a vital but free business development tool, that is often overlooked and under-estimated.

When I first arrived in Canada, I knew no one and spent much of my time building my network, today I know hundreds of people I can turn to for quality advice, referrals and interesting perspectives when I am testing new ideas. Although sometimes it is hard to quantify the benefits of networking while you are doing it, I believe networking has been one of my most important business building activities over the years.

Street-Smart Marketers know that networking is not a numbers game, but an opportunity to spend quality time in a meaningful conversation with people who can help you and whom you can help in return. Don't fall into the trap of trying to meet as many people as possible at an event, but rather spend quality time with a select few.

Networking is very definitely a two way street, you must focus on helping others meet the kind of people they need to meet as well as having them introduce you to people you want to meet. Whenever you part company with a networking partner, make a point of asking, "How can I help you?" or "Is there anyone I can introduce you to?" When asking for referrals, make it easy for people to help you, by being clear about the kind of people you want to meet and why it would be beneficial for them to meet you. This way you won't leave people guessing what you want.

If you do a lot of networking, remember to keep good records. Bill Clinton recently told the New York Times that for most of his life, one of his final tasks of the day was to make a 3X5 card for each person he had met that day. On the card he would write all the relevant contact information, along with other important information including how and where they met, and any other information he had gleaned from that contact.

If it is a discipline the President of the United States found valuable to keep track of the people he met, it is something we should all do with every contact we meet. Building your database, may provide you with one of your most valuable busies assets you own. What's more it costs nothing to do, but can return huge benefits over the years. Instead of sing 3X5 cards, this task can easily be achieved with a good contact manager program such as ACT, Maximizer or Goldmine. Don't try and rely on your memory. As your database grows, it becomes impossible to remember everything about each contact.

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Re: You don't need a degree to be an Entrepreneur - True true, you don't ned to have a degree to be an entrepreneur. However, a degree nowadays is somewhat necessary to get employed or hired in top companies. Yes, Bill Gates dodn't graduate from college, but this doesn't necessarily mean that you have to stop learning. If you want to be an entrepreneur, a very successful one, you should try to learn something new everyday. Learn from your mistakes and experiences.
Relevancy of books through the ages - I am posting this to let us know that books through the ages had shapen the world we live in. The Bible breeds millions of Christians. Lenin got his ideas from reading book by Karl Max. Bill Clinton read 300 books in his university days. Anthony Robbins read 700 books to become a guru in his field Stephen Covey got his ideas through reading books published 500 years ago. A lot of internet marketers read Hopkins and Robert Colliers' book for inspiration. The Secret was inspired by The science of Getting Rich. So fellow entrepreneur you need to read books to expand your horizon
Re: Make Friends...Literally BUILD them! - I agree! Networking is definitely the key word here. What does everyone feel about the different Networking platforms out there? Twitter Facebook LinkedIn what are some others?
A fellow Business Man........ - Hello to all. My name is Bill Greiger and I am new to the community. I look forward to making new business contacts, associates, and hopefully friends. Good luck to everyone on their many business ventures! Bill Grieger- Online Research and Development
Re: How can a social networking site make serious money? - Hi There, It is quite interesting, that some Social Networking do produce an income. I think testimonials are always a benefit to share. See one below: This Social Network has changed my life! Every night is a Friday night and everyday is a Saturday!! Because of it, I have been able to leave the workforce 10 years early.It has given me back my life. Many of us would like to retire early. I am sure there are many more. The point is of focusing with great determination. The ongoing challenge is to stay focussed and not be sidetracked into a newer scheme or so. Also I have read, during this financial turmoil, more people turn to Social Networking for various reasons.


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