7 Deadly sins of Networking ~ Or how not to Network Part 2

And on with part to of some of the networking sins I have seen.  Here are two more and tips on how to avoid making the same errors.

 An Own Goal
You don’t go to see a prospect without establishing the objective of the visit.  So never go networking without goals and objectives.  Just turning up and being part of it will only get you so far.  Here are a couple of tips that I hope will help you explode the results of your networking activity.

When going to one of your regular networking groups, make sure you have a 2 – 5 minute business conversation with everyone there.  This is the only way you are going to get to know the others in your group.  I can’t stress just how important this technique is.   It by these short but regular conversations that trust is developed between members that leads to business between people year after year.

Now you go to an open event or a network event for the first time do you talk to friends or strangers?  My goal is always to talk to at least 6 strangers at these events.  Networking is about making connections. And all you can call the people you know after the event and let them make connections with people they don’t know.

I’m all ears or not
Why do so many people networking believe the world wants to know everything there is to know about them?  You must have met them, Hi I’m Bob and I can do this and that for you or you may want the other 100 things we do?   Why don’t they pause and listen just for a moment?  Early on in my business career I was told God gave you two ears and one mouth, use them in that proportion. . 

Your ability to listen is the most important skills to have.  Why?  Because getting information from others will give you the edge.  You will know more about them and know how to follow up.    Listening is a skill and like all skills has to be practiced.  A friend of mine listens intently to everyone Angie speaks to.  So much so the other person has the impression, that they are the only person in the room. 

Most people don't listen because they are too busy working out what they want to say next. Angie says it’s so much easier to listen and you quickly establish what is important in the other persons’ life.  Again a little practice helps.

Part 3 will be published shortly

I'ld love it if you will leave comments on what you read.
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About the Author
Paul M Johnstone is a Professional networker, and executive coach.  He has build two businesses by using the power of the network and with almost no other marketing. He has worked for 3 of the largest networking organisations in the UK and is a network mentor. He can be reached at +44 (0)7711 324362or through his website at http://www.paradigmshakers.co.uk/ and http://www.pmjohnstone.co.uk/

P.S.  I’m reading a great book The DNA of success by Chris Norton, which is full of fascinating stories from leading figures from sport, politics, business, the military and the arts from some of the most influential business and thought leaders in the UK today.  So far I’m getting lots of real good information. Anyway please take a look and it would be nice if you fed that back to me. I hope you enjoy it.

7 Deadly sins of Networking ~ Or how not to Network

I would like to share with you some inside tips from the top Networkers in business.

A well known fact inside the Networking community is that companies and business owners who do not network miss out on a rich stream of new contacts and new business.  This additional business can make them more successful, profitable.  It can also help them understand their customers and marketplace better. 

They can test their sales and marketing messages on real people and get an insight in to its effectiveness.

Then there are the business networkers and the mistakes they make that hinder the growth of new business.  Everyone makes mistakes, its how we learn from them that count. What follows is the Seven Deadly Sins of networking.  You probably know this stuff already, but it’s always good to recap now and again.

Don’t Judge a Book by looking at the cover.
We all do this from time to time, and we know we shouldn’t.  When you prejudge someone; you do it mainly out of prejudice or misplaced ideas.  But you have absolutely no idea who they know.   I have had some of my best introductions from people who at first glance I though would be no good for my business.  Now we are back to the book cover again.  Give people time and your attention and let your business relationship grow.  And you will all know the saying “All that glitters is not gold”, so don't jump to conclusions.

Your Mother told you not to
Remember the instructions from your mum when you were growing up?  I’m here to tell you to go against what she said.  You know one of the biggest sins in networking is not using the F word ~ Follow up!  You spend time getting the contacts, business cards and introductions but fail to follow up.  How dumb is that?

The best networkers know that the follow up is more important than the initial introduction.  Once they have done that they also know the power of keeping in regular contact.  You meet at business networking as equals, they do not want to be sold to, think about that for a moment. They do not want to be sold to! After all when was the last time you went to a network meeting with a shopping list?

Your objective at this stage is to find out about them and build rapport with the view to becoming an advocate of their business. Business like spot and Trades are about skill.  The top performers develop skill and success through persistence and a focus on continuous improvement.   It may help you to think of networking as a marketing tool, a promotional activity, not just an breakfast that you go to regularly.   So do the thing your Mother told you not to do Use the F~Word. Follow Up.

You will find in part 2 more tips and it will be published shortly

Please comment on this or any of my earlier Blogs. All feedback is great feedback.
To keep in touch with Networking techniques just click the ‘Join this site’ button.

About the Author

Paul M Johnstone is a Professional networker, and executive coach.  He has build two businesses by using the power of the network and with almost no other marketing. He has worked for 3 of the largest networking organisations in the UK and is a network mentor. He can be reached at +44 (0)7711 324362or through his website at http://www.paradigmshakers.co.uk/ and http://www.pmjohnstone.co.uk/

P.S.  I’m reading a great book The DNA of success by Chris Norton, which is full of fascinating stories from leading figures from sport, politics, business, the military and the arts from some of the most influential business and thought leaders in the UK today.  So far I’m getting lots of real good information. Anyway please take a look and it would be nice if you fed that back to me. I hope you enjoy it.