Do you have a clear proposition?

Do you ever struggle to understand someone else's proposition. It may well be someone you like and trust, and would love to help.

At a seminar today presented by NRG members, Tim Cumming and Anna Thomas they shared a very simple way of developing your message. It's not designed to be the message you give, but to help you develop the appropriate ones.

You just fill in the blanks:

We help [1.] to [2.] by providing [3.] which are more [4.] than most.

1 = audience
2 = outcome
3 = benefit
4 = differentiation

For example "We help business owners to build a steady pipeline of new business by providing facilitated business networking experiences which are more effective than most"

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success

Social Networking in Plain English

I found this great video via Thomas Power's Ecademy Profile:



The video is by Lee LeFever of Commoncraft.com.

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success

Your advocates help build your reputation

I received a message from a contact today.
He had received a response to an email;

"I would be delighted to take up your offer of a meeting. Someone I met last night was singing your praises and that has spurred me into action!"

Who is talking positively about you when you are not there?

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success

Do you network to find advocates or customers?

During the seminar before an NRG Business Networking Lunch today we were discussing different approaches to networking. I explained that networking to build trusted relationships and develop advocates was far more productive than networking for customers.

One member shared his experience to support that view. When he first started networking he was looking for customers directly. He had some limited success. When he changed his approach to helping others and building relationships first his results increased dramatically.

He also won more customers from his networking contacts!

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success

Crash course in networking

I received a telephone call just before one of our lunches from a journalist. He was writing a piece for Management Today about networking and wanted to pick my brains.

What are the key things about networking, he asked. Decide what you want to get out of it (be strategic), I said. Also, don't expect results immediately - it's all about developing relationships and that takes time.

His article is in the August edition of Management Today and is called Crash course in networking.

Martin Davies
NRG Business Networks