To perform your Definition Double-Check you simply need to refer to the promotional materials of the organization or event.  What do those materials say that the organization or event is for? Whatever that answer is will likely be just what you find.  Simply because something has the label “NETWORKING” on it does not necessarily mean that the organization or event is out to accomplish the same goals that you have or uses the same definition of “NETWORKING” that you do.  Next time you head out the door to “NETWORK” try the Definition Double-Check to make sure that what you’re expecting to attend is in fact what you find when you get there!

Networking begins at 5:00pm.  The seminar will begin at 6:00pm followed by Q&A.
Located in the Conference Center – Lower Level of the Crown Center Building, Independence OH.

Register Here:
http://nationalstrategic.net/natstrat/events.html

According to a release by the University of Michigan (U-M News & Information Services, November 12, 2002), Stephanie Brown, a psychologist at the U-M Institute for Social Research, has authored a study, to be published in Psychological Science, that finds that older people who are helpful to others reduce their risk of dying by nearly 60 percent. “Making a contribution to the lives of other people may help to extend our own lives,” said Brown, as compared to peers who provide neither practical help nor emotional support to relatives, neighbors, or friends.

In the same study, Brown determined that what we get from our network has no impact on our morality. Thus, it is not what we get from relationships that makes our interaction with others so beneficial – it is what we give. Through the U-M Institute for Social Research, Brown interviewed and monitored the lives of 423 older couples over a five-year period. In her analysis of the link between giving and receiving help and mortality, Brown found that people who reported (through extensive interviews)  providing no help to others as being more than twice as likely to die as people who gave some help to others. In short, it truly is better to give than to receive.

This Blog Post was contributed by AmSpirit Business Connections and is the sole owner of the this work.

Date: 4/14
Time: 5pm-7pm
Place: Naya Bistro at 6323 Wilson Mills Rd. Highland Heights

LinkedIN Event’s Page:

http://events.linkedin.com/Networking-Afterhours-sponsored-by/pub/617303

Thursday March 24th 5pm-7pm
The Pub in Rocky River on 19304 Detroit Road

More info here:    http://events.linkedin.com/Networking-After-Hours-Sponsored-by/pub/599284

The Rainmaker – Rainmakers are the traditional Centers of Influence. For a financial advisor a good rainmaker might be a CPA or estate planning attorney.

Inroads to Thought Leadership – Thought Leadership opportunities could be anything from an interview for a magazine article to a chace to speak in public. For a business coach a Thought Leadership opportunity could be a Wholesale Referral to speak at a Sales Conference.

The Next Closest Thing – The Next Closest Thing is the idea of ‘getting your foot in the door’. You may want to meet the President of ABC Company because you have a great idea that will really help him but noone knows the president of ABC company, however someone does know the shop floor manager or the security guard. Those two individuals are The Next Closest Thing and put you one step closer to the President.

When I went through Sandler Sales Training (the best sales training ever by the way….) I learned a concept called the Prospecting Pinwheel. The idea is for sales reps, entrepreneurs, and professionals to draw a graphical representation of their sources of new clients. You start by drawing a circle and then cutting it into sections like a pie. Each section represents a source of new business; popular sections typically include: cold calling, direct mail, networking events, natural market prospecting, referrals, repeat business, etc.

So what does a prospecting pinwheel have to do with Networking? Simple – Networking and the referrals one receives from networking should be a HUGE part of your pinwheel. Networking and referrals currently account for about half of my prospecting pinwheel in my business.

If you’re not currently attending a variety of Networking events (there are many types of events by the way – each of which delivers its own form of value) as a source of new business you’re missing out! Structured networking groups or ‘tips’ groups are by far the most direct way to use networking to develop new business but attending any type of networking event is better than attending none! If you want to generate qualified referrals for your business consider joining or starting a business networking group near you.