Know what you want and manage it

© Paul Johnstone
All projects need managing.

Business networking is a project, so it needs managing. You can use various tools to manage your networking.

If you don’t manage your networking, it will manage you.

Look there are lots of ways to manage your time therefore I suggest using the one that works best for you. The key is be comfortable with it and it most be easy to use.

Plan and monitor ALL your networking activities.

Clarity: This point helps you get more from less. If you are focused on the connections you want to make, you have a better chance of making them.

It is important to know exactly what you want,. Why? Well if you are asked a directly by a potential client, you will need to give a concise answer.

An activity which has no clear planned outcomes is called a daydream. As we know goals are nothing more than daydreams with a time line. Go networking with a plan. Use simple measurable goals:

• How many people do you want to talk to at this meeting?
• What will I say when I meet them?
• What follow up actions am I targeting?
• What would be my plum client if they were in the room?

The last one is last for a reason. You could spend all meeting searching for your plum client and let lots slip through your fingers while you are searching.

I have simple targets when I go networking:

If this is an occasional meeting like a Chamber event, I want to speak to 6 strangers and have between a 5 – 7 minute conversation with each of them. My follow up goal is to get a cup of coffee meeting with a minimum of 2 people. Both achievable both will help me expand my business.

If I am attending a regular Refer-On meeting my objectives are different: I want to have a meaningful business conversation of about 3 – 5 mins with everyone in the room. This is part of building the trust based relationships that are key to developing your own personal referral system.

Paul

Helping Real People do Real Business through Real Networking