People do business with people. I have been a member of Select Business Team for almost 10 years. We are a networking group and see ourselves as an informal board of directors. We are constantly looking to meet new people and invite many to our weekly meetings. Our moderator brings a different topic to the table weekly, we have breakout sessions and focus more on business development than referrals. Referrals are seen as a by-product of our relationships, not the reason for them.
What makes a good group:
1. Business development focus 2. Relevant discussions 3. Growth minded members 4. Diverse membership 5. Accountability, Organization, Structure 6. Dedication to the groups purpose 7. Members are business owners not sales people
Business from Tyler, TX
Answered on Jan 14th, 2017
A resounding YES!! Even WITH all the "toys" we have available today, you STILL need the face-to-face contact. It is what makes YOUR business personal to potential and present customers. I belong to several meet ups online and made contacts here as well. WHENEVER possible, I make it a point to meet my contacts from either platform in person. I believe it's the best way to find out about each other, and sometimes you might even pick a "nugget" you can use in your own business!
I believe in networking to build personal relationships with both clients and prospects. But, I also use our business Facebook page as a tool as well. By posting content about marketing, social media, e-learning, etc., not in a sales-y way but to increase their awareness and education, helps them stay up-to-date and keeps us top of mind as a thought-leader in our market segment.
Most successful entrepreneurs and business leaders built their businesses on strong relationships! If you are not making the progress that you desire in your business, consider investing your time in networking. Network in-person as well as digitally with the importance of staying connected genuinely to build trust and relationships.
Questions are listed below that I'm typically asked by those who are interested along with my answers:
1. I do not know where to begin to network.
Answer: First, determine what your goal is before searching for a group/event to join.
2. What kind of networking meetings should I go to?
Answer: First, research online, e.g. www.meetup.com for business networking groups, and www.linkedin.com/directory/groups/ for online networking groups. Second, ask other entrepreneurs and business leaders you know for suggested groups and industry meetings for successful networking. Don't forget to network with your vendors – leading to develop a great referral partnership. Third, visit your local chamber of commerce for a list of their networking events.
3. How many networking meetings should I attend?
Answer: Visit as many groups to determine those that you want to join, participate and attend regularly. It takes time and effort to build relationships so consider how much time you can allocate for networking. Also, your motivation to participate is highly dependent on your personal and business goals (#1 above).
4. What do I say at these meetings?
Answer: Ask open-ended questions to start conversations rather than a yes or no question. Be authentic and show genuine interest in the person and the conversation! Remember, it is a two-way conversation so balance time in talking and listening.
5. Do I follow up with all the people I meet?
Answer: Follow up with all contacts in your professional networking even those virtually met. Do not judge if you do not hear back quickly – be patient – and if need be, reach out again the following week or wait until the next meeting or virtually through social media. Ensure your message also adds value!
If you are a true business/sales professional, having face time is a good thing. Face time builds trust and care. It shows your client that you are a real person that is hear to provide a solution to a problem or need. Digital interaction is very important after establishing the relationship.
I hear people say things like "I'm an introvert" or "I am not good at personal interactions". I'd say that most of us are introverts but some of us are more willing to overcome it than others. One of the best quotes I have ever heard was by famous sales trainer Grant Cardone - "The best you, will always be found far outside of your comfort zone." I believe this to be very true. Step outside of your comfort zone and find out what an amazing extrovert you can pretend to be and get over the fear.
Business from Burnaby, BC
Answered on Aug 8th, 2017
Personally I have been very disappointed in face to face networking. For one it is often just a pitch fest. People don't care what you do, they just want to sell you what THEY do.
I also had an incident once where we were doing a speed round of networking and as I walked up to the woman, she just said "Well I will never need a ventriloquist" and just walked away, leaving me standing there feeling like an idiot.
Face to face networking is the best if you can do it, however I would not pass up any opportunity to network whether it's face to face, or networking on the social platforms, i.e.; linkedin, twitter, Facebook and of course Alignable and more. Virtual networking is key too i.e.; Skype, FaceTime, zoom us etc.
Simply put, I look to establish relationships, not just fast meet-and-greets, or grab a handful of business cards and run, type of events.
I've told this story in some other thread here on Alignable, but it's worth mentioning again. I belong to a (for lack of a better phrase) "Anti-Networking Group Networking Group". Why do I call it that? Because the couple of guys who founded it took everything that they hated about networking groups, and eliminated it. The group is geared towards I.T. professionals in the metro-Detroit Area.
Let's look first at their slogan: "Networking Detroit One Beer At A Time". Okay, just that principle alone, how can you go wrong? They hold get togethers (notice I did NOT say meetings) once a month in local area bars. The bars are locally owned and operated small businesses (not chains), and thus it's a way of benefiting small businesses in the area.
Now let's look at some of what they do / don't do:
* It's casual - come as you area after work (start time is 5:01). No need to dress up, have speeches, etc.
* Walk up and just chat with people (or look lost and have them find you). We're all in I.T., and frankly many of us are introverts. However, due to the relaxed atmosphere, people will just walk up and engage in conversation about, frankly anything. Because there are no speeches / presentations, and pressured sales tactics are frowned up (and those people may be banned), it lends itself to simplicity.
* No agenda. As I said, there are no speakers, etc., so it allows the topics to freely flow. Maybe you want to discuss how to get X, Y, and Z done with someone. Maybe you're interested in someone else's company. There are also a bunch of I.T. recruiters floating around (because that's where the I.T. talent is meeting), so you can have a conversational / informal chat with I.T. people that you might not be able to have 9-5. At the same time, job seekers also attend, because the recruiters are there. A perfect chicken-and-egg scenario.
Yes! I don't go through the drive through at my bank, I love the relationships that I am building when I walk in. Face to face is never going away! You are planting seeds and meeting new people everyday!
In networking groups, I am looking for a sales team! If I am specific in what I want, taking the time to train them each meeting, the results will happen. I want commitment in these groups, attend the meetings. Sometimes people join and come when they feel like it. That doesn't work, out of sight, out of mind and it hurts the group in the long run.
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Answers (41-50)
People do business with people. I have been a member of Select Business Team for almost 10 years. We are a networking group and see ourselves as an informal board of directors. We are constantly looking to meet new people and invite many to our weekly meetings. Our moderator brings a different topic to the table weekly, we have breakout sessions and focus more on business development than referrals. Referrals are seen as a by-product of our relationships, not the reason for them.
What makes a good group:
1. Business development focus
2. Relevant discussions
3. Growth minded members
4. Diverse membership
5. Accountability, Organization, Structure
6. Dedication to the groups purpose
7. Members are business owners not sales people
A resounding YES!! Even WITH all the "toys" we have available today, you STILL need the face-to-face contact. It is what makes YOUR business personal to potential and present customers. I belong to several meet ups online and made contacts here as well. WHENEVER possible, I make it a point to meet my contacts from either platform in person. I believe it's the best way to find out about each other, and sometimes you might even pick a "nugget" you can use in your own business!
I believe in networking to build personal relationships with both clients and prospects. But, I also use our business Facebook page as a tool as well. By posting content about marketing, social media, e-learning, etc., not in a
sales-y way but to increase their awareness and education, helps them stay up-to-date and keeps us top of mind as a thought-leader in our market segment.
Most successful entrepreneurs and business leaders built their businesses on strong relationships! If you are not making the progress that you desire in your business, consider investing your time in networking. Network in-person as well as digitally with the importance of staying connected genuinely to build trust and relationships.
Questions are listed below that I'm typically asked by those who are interested along with my answers:
1. I do not know where to begin to network.
Answer: First, determine what your goal is before searching for a group/event to join.
2. What kind of networking meetings should I go to?
Answer: First, research online, e.g. www.meetup.com for business networking groups, and www.linkedin.com/directory/groups/ for online networking groups. Second, ask other entrepreneurs and business leaders you know for suggested groups and industry meetings for successful networking. Don't forget to network with your vendors – leading to develop a great referral partnership. Third, visit your local chamber of commerce for a list of their networking events.
3. How many networking meetings should I attend?
Answer: Visit as many groups to determine those that you want to join, participate and attend regularly. It takes time and effort to build relationships so consider how much time you can allocate for networking. Also, your motivation to participate is highly dependent on your personal and business goals (#1 above).
4. What do I say at these meetings?
Answer: Ask open-ended questions to start conversations rather than a yes or no question. Be authentic and show genuine interest in the person and the conversation! Remember, it is a two-way conversation so balance time in talking and listening.
5. Do I follow up with all the people I meet?
Answer: Follow up with all contacts in your professional networking even those virtually met. Do not judge if you do not hear back quickly – be patient – and if need be, reach out again the following week or wait until the next meeting or virtually through social media. Ensure your message also adds value!
HAPPY NETWORKING!
If you are a true business/sales professional, having face time is a good thing. Face time builds trust and care. It shows your client that you are a real person that is hear to provide a solution to a problem or need. Digital interaction is very important after establishing the relationship.
I hear people say things like "I'm an introvert" or "I am not good at personal interactions". I'd say that most of us are introverts but some of us are more willing to overcome it than others. One of the best quotes I have ever heard was by famous sales trainer Grant Cardone - "The best you, will always be found far outside of your comfort zone." I believe this to be very true. Step outside of your comfort zone and find out what an amazing extrovert you can pretend to be and get over the fear.
Personally I have been very disappointed in face to face networking. For one it is often just a pitch fest. People don't care what you do, they just want to sell you what THEY do.
I also had an incident once where we were doing a speed round of networking and as I walked up to the woman, she just said "Well I will never need a ventriloquist" and just walked away, leaving me standing there feeling like an idiot.
Nope. Not for me.
Face to face networking is the best if you can do it, however I would not pass up any opportunity to network whether it's face to face, or networking on the social platforms, i.e.; linkedin, twitter, Facebook and of course Alignable and more. Virtual networking is key too i.e.; Skype, FaceTime, zoom us etc.
We teach social media marketing AND manage social media accounts and we still believe in the power of F2F!
Simply put, I look to establish relationships, not just fast meet-and-greets, or grab a handful of business cards and run, type of events.
I've told this story in some other thread here on Alignable, but it's worth mentioning again. I belong to a (for lack of a better phrase) "Anti-Networking Group Networking Group". Why do I call it that? Because the couple of guys who founded it took everything that they hated about networking groups, and eliminated it. The group is geared towards I.T. professionals in the metro-Detroit Area.
Let's look first at their slogan: "Networking Detroit One Beer At A Time". Okay, just that principle alone, how can you go wrong? They hold get togethers (notice I did NOT say meetings) once a month in local area bars. The bars are locally owned and operated small businesses (not chains), and thus it's a way of benefiting small businesses in the area.
Now let's look at some of what they do / don't do:
* It's casual - come as you area after work (start time is 5:01). No need to dress up, have speeches, etc.
* Walk up and just chat with people (or look lost and have them find you). We're all in I.T., and frankly many of us are introverts. However, due to the relaxed atmosphere, people will just walk up and engage in conversation about, frankly anything. Because there are no speeches / presentations, and pressured sales tactics are frowned up (and those people may be banned), it lends itself to simplicity.
* No agenda. As I said, there are no speakers, etc., so it allows the topics to freely flow. Maybe you want to discuss how to get X, Y, and Z done with someone. Maybe you're interested in someone else's company. There are also a bunch of I.T. recruiters floating around (because that's where the I.T. talent is meeting), so you can have a conversational / informal chat with I.T. people that you might not be able to have 9-5. At the same time, job seekers also attend, because the recruiters are there. A perfect chicken-and-egg scenario.
Yes! I don't go through the drive through at my bank, I love the relationships that I am building when I walk in. Face to face is never going away! You are planting seeds and meeting new people everyday!
In networking groups, I am looking for a sales team! If I am specific in what I want, taking the time to train them each meeting, the results will happen. I want commitment in these groups, attend the meetings. Sometimes people join and come when they feel like it. That doesn't work, out of sight, out of mind and it hurts the group in the long run.