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All Networking is Not Created Equal

Guest post by: Jim Dryburgh

Article Overview: They say that the key to happiness and longevity is having meaningful relationships with others. This means having a support system of family, friends, business associates and clients who are there for you because you are always there for them. In business this concept conjures up the word networking. Don’t run screaming into the night; we’re talking about a different kind of networking – Value Based Networking, which is about having people in your life who are in a position to help you gain access to key decision makers and to new and exciting opportunities.

All Networking is Not Created Equal

They say that the key to happiness and longevity is having meaningful relationships with others. This means having a support system of family, friends, business associates and clients who are there for you because you are always there for them.

In business this concept conjures up the word networking. Don't run screaming into the night: this does not mean dragging yourself to meetings and seminars where you exchange business cards with people you don't know and pursue meaningless threads of conversation trying to find something of mutual interest. I'm talking about a different kind of networking.

We call it Value Based Networking^TM.

Value Based Networking is about more than just selling. It's about having people in your life who are in a position to help you gain access to key decision makers and to new and exciting opportunities. It's about not just surviving - but thriving - in today's complex economy. It's about having people in your life who can help your career and who also can enrich your life.

As the name implies, Value Based Networking is about creating value for others before you expect to receive value from them. It is the mutual give and take that results in a winning situation for everyone involved.

People naturally want to repay the kindness of others, and if cultivated properly, Value Based Networking can not only lead to strong and positive relationships, it also can lead to personal connections, more referrals, increased sales, measurable success and lasting impressions.

We all have lots of people in our lives. Most we barely know, some are nodding acquaintances, a few are everyday associates and co-workers, and a small number are family and friends. The key question is: in what ways can we provide unselfish value to them without expecting anything in return? Here are a few ways:

• Helping solve a problem
• Supporting their dreams
• Helping them understand their thinking
• Letting them help others, including you
• Connecting them with others
• Helping to make them more successful
• Making them feel connected and appreciated

What you need to do is tap into their needs, adapt your communication style to accommodate theirs, and be a WOW person to be around. Networking isn't that difficult if you simply keep in mind that most people:

• Want unbiased advisors
• Have a limited set of friends
• Have access to a limited set of social events
• Want to help others
• Need people in their network

So approach your social portfolio like you do your financial portfolio: plan, build and diversify. Foster relationships with family, friends and co-workers. Nurture older relationships, but also make new friends.

Value Based Networking is the sincere and constant effort to help others, anticipating that you will, in turn, be helped. So if you do happen find yourself at one of those networking events, ask for two business cards from everyone you meet: one for yourself and one to pass on to somebody else. You never know who you may be able to help; and later, that someone may help you.

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Article Tags: balance of life, Balanced Work Life, employee onboarding, Jim Dryburgh, management roles and responsibilities, networking, onboarding process, value based networking, work life balance definition, work life programs
Referred by: http://www.MichelePW.com



Related Forum Posts
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?
Niche social network site - Hm we may help. You're good in SEO? or Programming? If you're good in SEO, I'd invite you to Anoniche, LLP, an Internet based company. We'll offer: Programming / seed money if we decide to take you on. You'll offer: Equal ownership / helping in SEO with our entire network. We're only a few months old, but we do have the ability to assist in a project like this. And yes, I do like the idea. I love community-based sites!
Re: When did your entrepreneurism start? - I sold my science fair project when I was 9 year old after I won 2nd place. Created crystals from lumps of salt that collected on a string. Cost less than a penny to make and got $1 a piece for them. Not bad profit margin but was too young to realize I was ripping anyone off at the time.
Marketing 2012 - I am interested in what works for you in 2012, Social Networking, Search Engine traffic, Blogs, Articles, Forums, what? This is a quote from a 2009 Topic "Twitter, Social Networking, What is your Method? From my experience, social networking traffic (Twitter included) also converts at a far lower rate than search engine traffic. Evan Is this still true, or do you use something that gives us better returns and conversions
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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