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10 Steps for Developing Your INDIVIDUAL NETWORKING PLAN

10 Steps for Developing Your INDIVIDUAL NETWORKING PLAN

Free Download - Four Must Have Attitudes that Make Your Business Grow By Ruth Hegarty

1. Check your attitude. Reframe any negative beliefs you have toward networking so you can embrace the process. If you think networking is boring, come up with a way to make it fun and interesting for yourself. What can you believe about networking that will make it an activity that you enjoy?

2. Be interested rather than interesting. Reorient around adding value first in networking by offering people useful information. What do you have that will add value to others?

3. Don’t wait until you need a network to start creating one. Build your foundation and create a networking engine that is always well tuned. Describe your current network.

4. Stay in touch. Contact your network on a revolving basis rather than just when you need something. Avoid calling someone after a year just to ask for something – you wouldn’t like it and neither will they. What are some of the ways that you can stay in touch with your network?

5. The best networking is about building relationships. It’s about who you are and how you can mutually benefit. How can you build relationships with the people you already know and those you would like to meet?

6. Be prepared. Decide on the outcomes you want from a networking event then make a plan, take some notes, and follow up with anyone you said you’d contact. What are some of the networking activities and groups you would like to attend? What would you like to gain from these experiences?

7. Target networking opportunities that best fit your needs and personality rather than going to all of them. Save time and aggravation by carefully considering which venues and events best suit your desired outcomes. If you’re not a morning person, skip the networking breakfasts. Seek out gatherings associated with the people you want to meet. Attend smaller events if you’re not comfortable with the bigger ones. Host an event if you like to stay in control. What is your networking style (i.e. the ideal networking times, places, activities, group size, etc. that best suit your personality, schedule and comfort zone)? The goal here is to allow yourself to be at your best when networking.

8. Creative networking. Network everywhere with everyone. Start to see the long grocery line in a new way. Perhaps there are people at your gym or church that would be perfect for your network. What are the nontraditional networking opportunities in your life?

9. Quality not quantity. Center on Centers of Influence (COIs). These are key people who have large networks. Once they respect and wish to help you, you have access to everyone they know. Who are the Centers of Influence that you would like to meet? What strategy will you use to get to know them? For example, you might invite a center of influence to lunch or coffee so they can get to know you.

10. Accentuate your value. In an earlier exercise you listed the value that you bring to your network. Now consider who will most appreciate that value. Direct your networking activities toward those people who will most gain from and acknowledge the value that you have to offer. Who will benefit most from knowing you?

10 Steps for Developing Your INDIVIDUAL NETWORKING PLAN - To learn more about this author, visit Ruth Hegarty's Website.

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Michiel Jonker
As a Certified Information Systems Auditor, Michiel assists businesses in a professional capacity by evaluating the threats to their businesses. He acquired the necessary knowledge, skills, and techniques to minimize a business owner’s risk of business failure and to maximize his chances of high growth and success. He strongly believes that you CAN maximize your chances of business success, by implementing the business solution he has advocated for more than 12 years in your business plan and planning. Michiel has decided to share his experience with business owners by putting almost everything he knows in a business plan and survival guide (compiled in an e-book format) and written as a high growth SMB coaching course for SMB business owners, directors and managers - titled as the “Survival Kit for Small and Medium Businesses - Profit from your Business Risks!” According to Michiel, his goal was to add new techniques to a business owner’s business planning survival kit and instruct him or her in using these in the future - without any help from a consultant! For more information about the benefits of implementing profit protection planning in your business, please visit: http://www.business-around-the-globe.com - Visit Michiel Jonker's Website

Leanne Hoagland-Smith
Are your sales where you want them to be? Will you be one of the few who achieves sales or business success or one of the many who have failed to change? Are you tired of being told you are like everyone else? Then you may find my first book on sales of interest. Be the Red Jacket in the Sea of Gray Suits, The Keys to Unlocking Sales available at Amazon or at http://www.processspecialist.com/red-jacket.htm. This book is a reflection of my no-nonsense approach to improving sales to overall business results. If you are truly committed to making sustainable changes, then I can help you secure a positive return on your investment because I focus on executable solutions not telling you the problems you already know you have. From training to corporate (group) coaching to executive one on one coaching, my approach is to assess, create awareness, build a goal driven action plan and then execute. The bottom line question is "Not do you or your employees know it, but do you or they want to do it?" Please call for a free strategy session at 219.759.5601. - Visit Leanne Hoagland-Smith'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

David Acheson
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Ruth Hegarty helps women entrepreneurs create confident and effortless success. As a certified Law of Attraction Coach, Ruth teaches women to unleash their powerful creator. She hosts the popular "The Art of Joyful Living Radio Show." Listen every Tuesday by visiting Art of Joyful Living . To learn more about Ruth's group or one-on-one coaching programs and to get her free Confidence Building e-book for women, please visit her website at Confidence Mentor.