Yes, I have networking events every other month, because I believe face-to-face connections are best. Each month I feature two speakers and one rising star looking for employment. I also do an icebreaker and encourage others to brownbag their lunch. We always have a great time! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/networking-for-you...
I have said it a million times in posts and I will say it again. It's the best way to earn a real client. People are so busy with coffee and a PC that they sit for hours losing business when walking through a door is all it sometimes takes a real face attached to the service or product. It sold me steaks on my porch. Go through 10 doors a week score 2 and repeat. Sit on the PC 80 hours feel like you have no world and all is lost. Sad lazy facts of technology!
And so it goes with any networking organization be it a Chamber, a luncheon, an am breakfast, an evening event or a BNI. I have learned over the years that there are the "takers' and the "givers" those that have a "farmers mentality" and those who have the quick instant gratification "throw away" mentality. People have been conditioned in our world to want immediate gratification and results. If referrals do not happen right away, they move onto the next organization or event. Collecting fists full of business cards will not become a sale or a new prospect, it is nothing more than collecting cold leads. I have learned this by belonging to BNI's, several Chambers, several network organization to running my own non-exclusive network organization.
People WILL do business with those they know, like and trust. First, people need to show up at events, be committed to learn about one another in that organization and have the mindset that YOU will be a blessing to others. When people truly have that giving attitude to want to help first, the referrals do come. Networking is "work" and relationships that develop that are genuine take time to nurture hence the "Farmers mentality". Good, solid connections come when people learn what you do, how you do business, if you are reputable and if they can trust sharing their contacts with you. You need to plant in good ground where people have that same mentality and will invest time in one another. I personally want to be sure before I refer my friend, a family member or a business connection that the person I am referring is a person of integrity and one I can trust. Mouth to mouth referrals and networking IS where it is at but if people do not invest time in developing those relationships, I agree with those who had negative responses that it is a waste of your time.Never try to sell to the people in your organization, help them to be referral partners for you. Everyone knows at least 250 people...do the math and think of the referrals you could gain once relationships are formed!!
Networking is just as much about learning as it is about meeting new people to receive referrals. For most people, myself included, it was way out of my comfort zone. I am so glad I went out and did it. I have learned so much because I didn't go in just expecting business, business, business. I've seen people show up once and never come again because they didn't get any business, stick around, get to know people...that is how business happens.
I definitely believe in the power of face-to-face networking! I do a ton of networking on social media but nothing beats having face-to-face interaction to build trust and rapport! I have belonged to a local business networking group (part of a national organization) for almost 12 years and it's been phenomenal in helping me to grow all of my businesses!
After 46 years of networking that led from college to a position that I enjoyed traveling between North America and Europe, face to face is the only way to be effective!
Try being in a room with 12 people all texting each other trying to communicate. Then take away their mobile phones. You will see and hear the difference.
Face to face is the best way to market. It is usually more cost effective and measureable. I have used networking through my whole career and haven't found a better way to meet people where they are. Most people do business with someone they know, like, and trust. You can't get that in print or digitial marketing. For those who find it scary, it's usually only a minute or 2 of your life to present yourself in front of a group. Suck it up if you want to grow your business.... And, it gets easier the more you do it.
I think face to face meetings are the best for building and keeping the relationship strong. Perhaps most, if not all, of the day to day servicing can be done electronically, however, sitting down with someone and getting to know him or her, gives you a better chance to develop a trusting relationship and help keep your service or product out of the commodity box.
Business from Abbotsford, BC
Answered on Jan 16th, 2017
No matter the type of business one is operating, face to face networking is essential to the business. I think one aspect of face to face networking that is often overlooked is getting out and meeting people who have absolutely nothing to do with your business. It gives one a chance to round out their social life, get to have a wider view of the local scene and maybe even get referrals.
Personally, I think that when doing face to face, it is really important to engage with people for the pure pleasure of knowing them as human beings first rather than focusing on how they can increase your revenue streams.
With this ever growing cyber world we live in now, we are choosing to avoid face to face meetings because it is easier to avoid emotional wrestling. The end result is a decay in human interaction, community and caring.
Yes. The twist for me is that I network to meet other highly qualified professionals who might be able to provide an important product or service to my clients. As regards my own practice, after being licensed to advise on retirement portfolios for over three decades, I learned long ago that unsolicited 'word of mouth' testimonials from family, friends or colleagues are the only way a person of means would and should ever choose a FIDUCIARY to help grow, protect and ultimately transfer their personal wealth, a point of confusion or ambivalence to most rank and file (i.e. non-accredited) investors.
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Answers (31-40)
Yes, I have networking events every other month, because I believe face-to-face connections are best. Each month I feature two speakers and one rising star looking for employment. I also do an icebreaker and encourage others to brownbag their lunch. We always have a great time! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/networking-for-you...
I have said it a million times in posts and I will say it again. It's the best way to earn a real client. People are so busy with coffee and a PC that they sit for hours losing business when walking through a door is all it sometimes takes a real face attached to the service or product. It sold me steaks on my porch. Go through 10 doors a week score 2 and repeat. Sit on the PC 80 hours feel like you have no world and all is lost. Sad lazy facts of technology!
And so it goes with any networking organization be it a Chamber, a luncheon, an am breakfast, an evening event or a BNI. I have learned over the years that there are the "takers' and the "givers" those that have a "farmers mentality" and those who have the quick instant gratification "throw away" mentality. People have been conditioned in our world to want immediate gratification and results. If referrals do not happen right away, they move onto the next organization or event. Collecting fists full of business cards will not become a sale or a new prospect, it is nothing more than collecting cold leads. I have learned this by belonging to BNI's, several Chambers, several network organization to running my own non-exclusive network organization.
People WILL do business with those they know, like and trust. First, people need to show up at events, be committed to learn about one another in that organization and have the mindset that YOU will be a blessing to others. When people truly have that giving attitude to want to help first, the referrals do come. Networking is "work" and relationships that develop that are genuine take time to nurture hence the "Farmers mentality". Good, solid connections come when people learn what you do, how you do business, if you are reputable and if they can trust sharing their contacts with you. You need to plant in good ground where people have that same mentality and will invest time in one another. I personally want to be sure before I refer my friend, a family member or a business connection that the person I am referring is a person of integrity and one I can trust. Mouth to mouth referrals and networking IS where it is at but if people do not invest time in developing those relationships, I agree with those who had negative responses that it is a waste of your time.Never try to sell to the people in your organization, help them to be referral partners for you. Everyone knows at least 250 people...do the math and think of the referrals you could gain once relationships are formed!!
Networking is just as much about learning as it is about meeting new people to receive referrals. For most people, myself included, it was way out of my comfort zone. I am so glad I went out and did it. I have learned so much because I didn't go in just expecting business, business, business. I've seen people show up once and never come again because they didn't get any business, stick around, get to know people...that is how business happens.
I definitely believe in the power of face-to-face networking! I do a ton of networking on social media but nothing beats having face-to-face interaction to build trust and rapport! I have belonged to a local business networking group (part of a national organization) for almost 12 years and it's been phenomenal in helping me to grow all of my businesses!
After 46 years of networking that led from college to a position that I enjoyed traveling between North America and Europe, face to face is the only way to be effective!
Try being in a room with 12 people all texting each other trying to communicate. Then take away their mobile phones. You will see and hear the difference.
Face to face is the best way to market. It is usually more cost effective and measureable. I have used networking through my whole career and haven't found a better way to meet people where they are. Most people do business with someone they know, like, and trust. You can't get that in print or digitial marketing. For those who find it scary, it's usually only a minute or 2 of your life to present yourself in front of a group. Suck it up if you want to grow your business.... And, it gets easier the more you do it.
I think face to face meetings are the best for building and keeping the relationship strong. Perhaps most, if not all, of the day to day servicing can be done electronically, however, sitting down with someone and getting to know him or her, gives you a better chance to develop a trusting relationship and help keep your service or product out of the commodity box.
No matter the type of business one is operating, face to face networking is essential to the business. I think one aspect of face to face networking that is often overlooked is getting out and meeting people who have absolutely nothing to do with your business. It gives one a chance to round out their social life, get to have a wider view of the local scene and maybe even get referrals.
Personally, I think that when doing face to face, it is really important to engage with people for the pure pleasure of knowing them as human beings first rather than focusing on how they can increase your revenue streams.
With this ever growing cyber world we live in now, we are choosing to avoid face to face meetings because it is easier to avoid emotional wrestling. The end result is a decay in human interaction, community and caring.
Yes. The twist for me is that I network to meet other highly qualified professionals who might be able to provide an important product or service to my clients. As regards my own practice, after being licensed to advise on retirement portfolios for over three decades, I learned long ago that unsolicited 'word of mouth' testimonials from family, friends or colleagues are the only way a person of means would and should ever choose a FIDUCIARY to help grow, protect and ultimately transfer their personal wealth, a point of confusion or ambivalence to most rank and file (i.e. non-accredited) investors.