Message
from Pat - Growing Your Network
"It's
not what you know but who
you know that makes the
difference." |
| ~Anonymous |
For most of my life,
I fought against the
truth in this quote. I
was raised and believed
and valued hard work
and humility. I
was told to work hard
and eventually you will
be recognized. I
believed it was your
work that spoke for
you and your capabilities.
I still believe this. But
now, I also believe
it is who you know that
makes the difference.
A recent
client of mine was laid
off from the company
she worked at for almost
16 years. This was the
only company she worked
at since college. For
these 16 years, both
her personal and professional
life primarily involved
the people she worked
with. She imagined she
would work at this company
until she retired.
When we
began to explore what
was next for her, she
said she regretted not
networking more outside
of her company. She
felt that the only resources
she had were those in
the company she was
leaving. This left her
feeling boxed in with
few resources to turn
to. She also felt that
she had no idea of what
might be possible outside
her industry and wanted
to look there.
We started
to talk about networking
and the value of always
networking regardless
of where you are in
life. Networking
is simply the art of
building alliances.
I look at my network
of alliances and use
them as valuable and
precious resources.
I have built a network
that is varied and very
different from me. Because
of the diversity in
their experiences, they
inspire me to look at
things from many perspectives.
It is not about the
quantity of contacts
you have, but more about
the relationships and
building and maintaining
those relationships.
If you
are wanting to expand,
one place to begin networking
is with professional
organizations. Choose
a few that you are interested
in that either relate
to your current profession,
or maybe a profession
you are interested in
looking into.
One of the best bits
of advice I received
when I first consciously
began networking for
my business is to drop
my "What's
in it for me?" attitude.
Once I did this, networking
became easy. Once I
did this, it became
all about the other
person. This made it
very easy to get into
conversation with others.
Believe me, people
love to talk about themselves...I
do! And
when you ask them about
them, they also think
you are a fascinating
conversationalist! All
you need are some really
great questions.
Here's a few
of the things that work
for me:
- Be the first to
approach someone,
introduce yourself
and shake their hand
firmly.
- Always wear your
name badge on your
right side. This
helps people look
easily from your shaking
hand to your lapel
and then to you.
- Ask "How did
you get started in
the business?" or "How
did you get to where
you are at now?"
- Ask "What
do you enjoy most
about what you are
doing?" What
are your greatest
challenges?"
- Ask "How can
I help you?" Ask
this only if you
are sincere about
helping them and
will. There is nothing
worse than having
someone take you
up on your offer
and you are not
able to deliver.
Bad beginning for
building relationships.
- Think of a way
they can help you.
Perhaps it is a
simple resource
or an introduction
to someone you want
to meet. Ask!
The worst case scenario
is they'll say "No".
At least you'll
know where you stand.
- Ask for their business
card and look at it! Don't
just take it and toss
it in your pocket. Respect
them. And yes,
be sure you have a
separate pocket for
your cards to hand
out and for those
you receive so you
don't hand someone
else's card
out.
Finally, at the end
of the conversation,
just say "Thank you.
I enjoyed the conversation." Again,
only say the second sentence
if you actually did enjoy
the conversation. People
know when you lie, so don't.
"The
successful networkers I
know, the ones receiving
referrals and feeling truly
happy about themselves,
continually put the other
person's needs ahead of
their own." |
~ Bob Burg |
Step into leading and play a Bigger Game in your life...don't wait...model leadership...the World needs us to do this.
Lead strong.
Pat
Vote in California
If you can’t get to
the polls on November 4 – or if you
just don’t want to GO to the polls
on November 4 – for ANY reason -
here’s a link to request an absentee
ballot so you can vote by mail. You
can also register to vote or find
your polling location. Click
Here for a link.
This is our privilege
and our responsibility. If you don’t vote, you don’t get to complain. It’s
that simple.
It
Couldn't Be Done
Somebody said that it couldn't be
done, but he with a chuckle replied
that 'maybe it couldn't,' but he
would be one who wouldn't say so
till he'd tried. So he buckled right
in with the trace of a grin on his
face.
If he worried he hid it. He started
to sing as he tackled the thing that
couldn't be done, and he did it.
Somebody scoffed: 'Oh, you'll never
do that; at least no one ever has
done it'; but he took off his coat
and he took off his hat, and the
first thing we knew he'd begun it.
With a lift of his chin and a bit
of a grin, without any doubting or
quiddit, he started to sing as he
tackled the thing that couldn't be
done, and he did it.
There are thousands to tell you
it cannot be done, there are thousands
to prophesy failure; there are thousands
to point out to you, one by one,
the dangers that wait to assail you.
But just buckle in with a bit of
a grin, just take off your coat and
go to it; just start to sing as you
tackle the thing that 'cannot be
done,' and you'll do it.
-Edgar Albert
Guest |
by Keith Ferrazzi
by Anne Baber and Lynne Waymon
by Jeffrey Gitomer