Feedback Form
Home Features Mastermind Videos About Advertise Blog Network Contact
   

Have A Suggestion?
Toronto Salsa Classes / Toronto Salsa Lessons 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 and Sean Combs!
Have A Suggestion?

Featured Ebook


ebook Famous Entrepreneurs - Modern Empire Builders


Featured Ebook

More Evan Carmichael
Have A Suggestion?


Sales Lessons From Starbucks And Dell

Making the Most of Networking Opportunities



Making the Most of Networking Opportunities
   

Q: Aren't there times when networking is just not appropriate? I feel like I am never able to just relax and enjoy an event in order to be a successful networker.

A: Although I advocate that networking is a lifestyle and that you need to incorporate it into everything you do, I also believe that you must honor the event. This means that in some cases you are going to network a lot differently than you would in other cases. For example, networking at a chamber mixer is one thing, while networking at a church social is something completely different.

First, we must understand what I mean by "networking." I believe that networking is part of the process of developing your social capital. Building your social capital hinges on the development of meaningful relationships with other people. Since one should always be working on building meaningful relationships with other people, he or she should always be networking. However, that doesn't mean someone should always be trying to sell something to someone, because that rarely facilitates the development of meaningful relationships. Herein lies the misinterpretation of the practice of networking. Some people think that networking means to be constantly selling your products or services.

To me, networking means that you should constantly build relationships. The best way to build relationships is to help someone whenever possible. A good networker has two ears and one mouth and should use them proportionately. Hence, if you understand networking to be the process one uses to develop relationships and build one's social capital, then it makes sense that someone should network everywhere-including the church social. They key is that you must honor the event.

To truly honor the event, you need to network appropriately. That means your networking approach must be different in a chamber meeting compared to a social event. In both cases, you should make contacts, put people together, help others and build relationships. However, you should not be actively promoting your business in one of those two groups. (Hint: It's not the chamber.) Instead, at a church function, you should simply focus on putting people together and helping others.

Let me give you an example of what I mean. Last year, I had the opportunity to attend a formal dinner put on by the "Friendly Sons of St. Patrick." This was a black-tie social event, not a business networking dinner, yet I was able to make a great contact that ended up being immensely successful for me (and, I hope, for one of the people I met there).

You see, seated at my table were a prominent senior partner to a major international law firm, a former member of the Beach Boys and Buzz Aldrin, part of the first mission to set foot on the moon and now an entrepreneur as the founder of the ShareSpace Foundation. During the course of the evening, I mentioned to Aldrin that I was working on a new book entitled Masters of Success. He's certainly attained a well-known level of success and has some very strong feelings about the future of the space program, so I thought he might be interested in sharing his thoughts in this new book. After getting to know each other better, I asked him if he would be interested in contributing a chapter to the book. He was. Consequently, he is one of the prominent contributing authors to a book that is about to be released, and I believe it's a win-win for both of us.

As you can see, it is desirable to keep your networking goals in sight at all events and opportunities, without becoming a networking vulture or someone that everyone else runs from when they see you coming. Honor the event and tailor your networking strategies so that you fit in without being tuned out.

Another very important aspect of successful, active networking is to be sincere. There are people who are so successful at networking that they are able to network virtually everywhere, and it's because they really care about making connections for others, not just for themselves. I have seen that those who network exclusively for selfish gain come across as very shallow and insincere.

Make no mistake about it: Networking can be done with a selfish end in mind, but if you are truly living the mantra that "givers gain," you will come across very differently. No one minds the opportune exchange of information that will benefit one or more people, even when that exchange takes the form of a business card at a bar mitzvah.
________________________________________
Dr. Ivan Misner is the Founder and Chairman of BNI, the world's largest business networking organization, which has more than 4,600 chapters in 37 countries. Dr. Misner is also the author of several books, including the New York Times bestseller TRUTH OR DELUSION? (www.truthordelusion.com), and he is the Senior Partner for the Referral Institute (www.referralinstitute.com), a referral training company with operations around the world.



Making the Most of Networking Opportunities - To learn more about this author, visit Ivan R. Misner's Website.

Like this article? Share it with your friends
[Get Copyright Permissions] E-Mail | Print | More  


Related Articles Related Articles
Networking Mistake Myopia
  Many people who sell find themselves dreading it, doing it stressfully and being reluctant with networking. This is one of a series of articles to turn networking misconceptions into better understandings - and sale...
Networking Tips for Introverts or How to Break The Ice Without Fear of Falling Through
  Do you “freeze up” when you are in a room full of people with some great networking opportunities? Are you timid, shy, and bashful around people at business and social gatherings? If you admitted that this descrip...
Networking with Online Home Business Owners and Why it is Essential
  Networking with other online home business owners is a wise decision for several reasons. First and foremost, it is usually a free way to market and advertise yourself, business, and services. Secondly, networking w...
NETWORKING ISNT SELLING OR IS IT
  Most experts agree that networking isn't selling. The question is....are they right or wrong?
Dont Network Like This
  You’d be surprised how many people are still using networking practices that not only don’t work, but which are turning off potential clients and advocates in droves!

Related Forum Posts Related Forum Posts
Update: Making Your First Million ebook Update: Making Your First Million ebook
Re: How can a social networking site make serious money? Re: How can a social networking site make serious money?
Long URLs in posts Long URLs in posts
Re: Work At Home EStore (13775) Re: Work At Home EStore (13775)
Female entrepreneur networking Female entrepreneur networking
Trump Institute - Toronto Trump Institute - Toronto
Re: Are You Looking for More Internet Radio Exposure Re: Are You Looking for More Internet Radio Exposure
If you had a million dollars... If you had a million dollars...

Related Forum Posts Related Businesses - Evan Elite Authors
David Barr
David Barr is the President of Venture Opportunities, Inc. David has been a professional business broker/intermediary since 1980 focusing on General Business Brokerage and Mergers and Acquisitions representing client transaction value from $400,000 to $20,000,000. Mr. Barr has handled the sale of over four hundred and fifty companies. David earned a university degree from the State University of New York majoring in economics and business. David holds the Mergers and Acquisition Master Intermediary and the Certified Business Intermediary designations from the International Business Brokers Association. He is also a Senior Business Analyst and a Texas licensed Real Estate Agent. For more information about David and Venture Opportunities, visit www.bizdealmaker.com. - Visit David Barr's Website

Anne Barr
Anne Barr has over 26 years experience in sales and marketing, six years as a franchisee. She has assisted over 367 business owners and purchasers to achieve their goals in career change, transition and exit strategy. She holds the designation of Certified Franchise Executive from the International Franchise Association, Certified Business Intermediary from the International Business Brokers Association and Board Certified Broker from the Texas Association of Business Brokers. Anne is active in professional organizations, networking groups and volunteers for non-profit entities. As owner/operator of four successful businesses, Anne has proven people skills and enjoys helping clients find the right "fit" in business ownership. Visit www.FranchiseOpportunitySpecialist.com for more information about me and my company. - Visit Anne Barr's Website


The Evan Elite Authors program is currently in beta phase. For details please contact us.


 
About the Author


Ivan R. Misner
(Visit Ivan's Website)
Dr. Ivan Misner is the Founder & Chairman of BNI (Business Network Int'l.). BNI (www.bni.com) was founded in 1985. The organization has over 4,200 chapters throughout every populated continent of the world. Last year alone, BNI generated millions referrals resulting in billions of dollars worth of business for its members. Dr. Misner’s Ph.D. is from the University of Southern California. He has written eight books, including his New York Times best seller, Masters of Networking and his #1 bestseller, Masters of Success. He is a monthly columnist for Entrepreneur.com and is also Chairman of the Board for the Referral Instititute - a referral training company with trainers around the world. He has taught business and social capital courses at several universities and is on the Board of Directors for the Colorado School of Professional Psychology. Called the "Father of Modern Networking" by Ecademy.com and the “Networking Guru” by Entrepreneur magazine, Dr. Misner is one of the world's leading experts on business networking and has been a keynote speaker for major corporations and associations throughout the world.
Have A Suggestion?

View Author's Blog
Become An Author

View Author's Video
Become An Author

Free Downloads


Ivan R. Misner's

Complete
List Of
Marketing
Articles

First Name
Last Name
Email
 
If you enjoyed this article, get Ivan R. Misner's Complete List of Marketing Articles For FREE!

More Ivan R. Misner
Generating More Referrals
Whats Better A Lead or a Referral
6 Ways Others Can Promote Your Business
Investing in Your Social Capital
Networking Trends Education and Technology Are Key
Specialists Win More Referrals
Network With Confidence
The Networking Trick Thatll Increase Business
The 10 Commandments of Networking
Networking at Conferences and Trade Shows
Become An Author