The 2 Schools Networking

If you go to Amazon.com and search for books in your company, there are over 63,000 listed and still growing on a daily basis. But there are basically only two schools of thought on why and how should the network. (Although I must confess that I have checked all the books 63K!)

The first school is what we call the school "Power". This is the type of network in which you focus on getting sales appointments or much less to get sales. This method is extremely focused and goal driven. You will have quotas to be achieved in order for you to hear the event was successful. A student of the school feeding study participants before the event and go, zooming in to find out exactly who you want to talk. It fits with the right amount of business cards and dress appropriately for the best impression possible.

When people meet you will have a dynamite 30 (60) second commercial lines to engage in fire, use body language to attract people into the conversation or keep them away. We do not eat (eat before the event!) To keep at least one free hand and sip a glass from your sober. It will at least have a business card, but it only counts as a score if you get an appointment or promise that you can call tomorrow and then make the appointment. It will not take too much time with an individual or a group, but meet people circulate to reach your predetermined criteria for X amount of presentations, business cards and / or appointments.

Do not forget to write surreptiously notes on their business card for the look, the name of his wife, and other memorable pieces of data that will help create that bond between the two of you the next time you meet.

Gee. I'm exhausted just writing!

Well, you may notice a tinge of sarcasm, but with my career and I have the network significantly, while there are many who seek this way of networking, there are few (very few) people who can do it and do it well. The problem is that most of the network people who have read a book or two and then to the game. The other factor is that the selling pressure, whether it be for your business or just an appointment protrudes like a sore thumb, if not done with a perfect touch. It 's usually pretty obvious and not very pleasant for the one on the receiving end.

There are a couple of positive results if you can make it work. It 'a short, focused, very goal oriented and not spend a lot of time. If it's something that does not work out, you move to other networking opportunities.

The second school is where you engage in business networking for many reasons, but the prevailing idea is that we are to build relationships. Students at the vocational school to look at the networking meeting and see people who are not only potential buyers, but possible mentors, resources, coach or maybe a future employer .. This is a slower, longer term, greater effort (at least initially) required type of networking.

So instead of just looking a group as fresh meat, taking the opportunity to know them and their activities, it opens a wider range of possibilities. Is it someone who was in your situation at one time? They should have done a great teacher? What about someone who works in the same market, but it is not a competitor? They could become a partner, where you work together or exchange perspectives? Is there anyone who would like to know if you decide to pursue a different career?

In any case, networking, there is a wide range of talent, experience, knowledge, resources and possibilities. If you put your blinders on sale you can get a sale, but lacks meet and develop relationships with people that can help grow your business, give answers to the challenges you face stressful and act as a reference resource of dynamite.

The two challenges are the school relationship that has a fire longer. So, if you need sales now, this could be problematic.

The second challenge is that it can be a big cop-out!

If I join the school report of networking that means I can go out, talk to a group of people, drinking a beer and munchies and not be required to have something to show for it! Sorry folks, but that is called socialization at the expense of society, not the network.

So you need some goals here.



Meet new people. If you're attending the events by the same organization, and all you're doing is talking with the same people all the time, you're not online. Make a goal that you will spend at least 50% of the exhibition to talk to new people or you have not met before. If you want, bring a buddy (non posse) around and you can meet people.

Welcome to the newbie. Seeing someone standing against the wall and look like a deer caught in headlights? Go over and introduce yourself. Get to know them and introduce them to others. Be sure to say hello to the event 2 and 3. Do you think the person will remember you, be grateful for their help in the group?

Try to find someone who might want your customers to do business with. If you can give a client a good resource, you will thank the customer and the person who gave you business will be grateful. There is a whole networking business model based on helping others will always help you connect.

Make appointments to meet. It should not be a potential customer. Perhaps to explore a possible partnership, sharing similar customers (if you're not competing). Perhaps it could turn into a relationship that each of you support each other, challenge and entertain each other.

Experiment. Use networking events as opportunities to try new ways to explain your business. Look at the people that you find interesting and observe how they communicate.


From networking and meeting people with the idea that they may have much more to offer not only sales opportunities open the door to authentic relationships where you want to help out as well as yourself. And once that is established, there are people who want to do business with you and send business to you .......