Listen here:
If you don't have a couple of minutes to listen then this image from the NRG Networking System covers the main points:
Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Showing posts with label One2One. Show all posts
Showing posts with label One2One. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
How to have a productive One2One Meeting
The key to building a successful relationship with someone in business networking is follow up. One2One interactions are an essential part of this follow up. It is the next step after you have invested time in getting to know someone at your regular networking group meetings. In this podcast I explain how to have a productive One2One Meeting.
Listen here:
If you don't have a couple of minutes to listen then this image from the NRG Networking System covers the main points:
Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Listen here:
If you don't have a couple of minutes to listen then this image from the NRG Networking System covers the main points:
Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Friday, April 16, 2010
Using the Internet to get off the Internet
In 'Using online to get offline' I briefly mentioned Meetup.com Founder, Scott Heiferman, and his talk in London about the importance of meeting offline.
Scott shared that he really began to experience the power of community in post 9/11 New York when people began again to rediscover the importance of looking out for each other. I was in London during the bombs on the underground and on a bus on 7 July 2005 and saw many people going out of their way for others in a similar way.
Scott shared that the idea for Meetup came from that time and he wanted to create a site to help strengthen community. To give people the opportunity to use the Internet to get together in local communities each day with the goal of improving themselves or their communities. Their mission today is to revitalize local community and help people around the world self-organize. Meetup believes that people can change their personal world, or the whole world, by organizing themselves into groups that are powerful enough to make a difference.
As Scott said it's about "Using the Internet to get off the Internet!"
A great insight into how to use Online Social Media and Networks in your Business Networking, a subject I addressed more fully in this article:
'10 top networking tips to increase business with the effective use of offline & online networks'
Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Scott shared that he really began to experience the power of community in post 9/11 New York when people began again to rediscover the importance of looking out for each other. I was in London during the bombs on the underground and on a bus on 7 July 2005 and saw many people going out of their way for others in a similar way.
Scott shared that the idea for Meetup came from that time and he wanted to create a site to help strengthen community. To give people the opportunity to use the Internet to get together in local communities each day with the goal of improving themselves or their communities. Their mission today is to revitalize local community and help people around the world self-organize. Meetup believes that people can change their personal world, or the whole world, by organizing themselves into groups that are powerful enough to make a difference.
As Scott said it's about "Using the Internet to get off the Internet!"
A great insight into how to use Online Social Media and Networks in your Business Networking, a subject I addressed more fully in this article:
'10 top networking tips to increase business with the effective use of offline & online networks'
Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Using online to get offline
At a networking lunch last week someone asked about how you get to meet up offline with some of the people you connect with online. Networking online & offline are about about building relationships. You can strengthen existing connections online and make good new connections. Build relationships by contributing to online conversations and sharing your knowledge and connections. At some point you will probably need to meet up to really build trust. You may not be quite ready to meet One2One so consider inviting them along to a networking group you belong to.
Last week I attended an Event on 'How real time web is facilitating offline interactivity'. One of the speakers Meetup Founder, Scott Heiferman, was talking about the importance of meeting offline and said Meetup itself was all about:
"Using the Internet to get off the Internet!"
A pretty good approach to keep in mind with your online networking.
Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 10 top networking tips to increase business with the effective use of offline & online networks
offline business networking | business networking events
Last week I attended an Event on 'How real time web is facilitating offline interactivity'. One of the speakers Meetup Founder, Scott Heiferman, was talking about the importance of meeting offline and said Meetup itself was all about:
"Using the Internet to get off the Internet!"
A pretty good approach to keep in mind with your online networking.
Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 10 top networking tips to increase business with the effective use of offline & online networks
offline business networking | business networking events
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
When did networking start working for you?
At a recent networking group lunch one of the guests on the table asked a member "does this work for you?"
"It does now!" he replied and then went on to explain that for about six months he had attended the meetings and nothing else. He said "It took me that six months to take note of Dave's advice and start having One2One Meetings. That's what has made the difference."
If you haven't started then why not try and schedule a couple of One2Ones with people in your network. If you're not sure what to do in one of these meetings see my earlier post, 'How to have a good One2One meeting'.
Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success
business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast
"It does now!" he replied and then went on to explain that for about six months he had attended the meetings and nothing else. He said "It took me that six months to take note of Dave's advice and start having One2One Meetings. That's what has made the difference."
If you haven't started then why not try and schedule a couple of One2Ones with people in your network. If you're not sure what to do in one of these meetings see my earlier post, 'How to have a good One2One meeting'.
Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success
business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast
Monday, October 26, 2009
More on what networking is not
I met someone recently through networking who asked for a One2One meeting to 'explore possible ways of working together'. I agreed to the meeting, but the experience was entirely different. The other person did not approach it as a mutual exchange amd presented his business for the entire time. Instead of a One2One it was more of a One@One!
Building trusted relationships is fundamental to getting results from business networking. These take time and include many exchanges of help, support and referrals. It is often within One on One or One2One meetings that these exchanges take place. Make sure you approach One2Ones in the right spirit of building relationships through mutual exchange.
See 'How to have a good One2One meeting' for more on the subject.
Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success
business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast
Building trusted relationships is fundamental to getting results from business networking. These take time and include many exchanges of help, support and referrals. It is often within One on One or One2One meetings that these exchanges take place. Make sure you approach One2Ones in the right spirit of building relationships through mutual exchange.
See 'How to have a good One2One meeting' for more on the subject.
Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success
business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast
Thursday, October 15, 2009
How can you be targeted with your networking?
The question of who to network with and where came up a couple of times this week. Once in a One2One Meeting and also in some networking training I delivered to a group of Non Executive Directors and Consultants.
If your existing network is not generating enough word of mouth to achieve your business targets then joining the right networking groups could be a sensible option. If you are clear about your target market you can begin to be targeted with your networking. You can establish who else is likely to have access to and influence with them, find where they network and join the groups they belong to.
Take the time to get to know the members and the ways you can help - support, information & introductions. When asked present your proposition confidently & consistently. Things to include are your target market, the problems you solve and stories to illustrate your expertise. Over time as you build your reputation and relationships the support and help you provide gets reciprocated.
Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success
business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast
If your existing network is not generating enough word of mouth to achieve your business targets then joining the right networking groups could be a sensible option. If you are clear about your target market you can begin to be targeted with your networking. You can establish who else is likely to have access to and influence with them, find where they network and join the groups they belong to.
Take the time to get to know the members and the ways you can help - support, information & introductions. When asked present your proposition confidently & consistently. Things to include are your target market, the problems you solve and stories to illustrate your expertise. Over time as you build your reputation and relationships the support and help you provide gets reciprocated.
Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success
business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
It takes more than just showing up
In a recent One2One meeting I was asked by someone "How many business networking events do I need to attend before I start getting business?". I said that depends on what you do after the meetings. You should be attending events, making good connections, following up and building relationships. It's investing in the right relationships that lead to business.
Woody Allen famously said "80% of success is showing up". The rest is in the follow up.
Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success
business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast
Woody Allen famously said "80% of success is showing up". The rest is in the follow up.
Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success
business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Can you refer the other people in your networking group?
In a recent One2One meeting the person asked me for some advice about a networking group she belonged to. She said "I have given it my best for more than a year, but I haven't received any referrals". I asked about the number of One2Ones she had with other members and the referrals she made for others.
It turned out that she hadn't been able to make many as most of the others operated in completely different markets to her. I suggested some other groups where she was likely to get to know, like and trust people with similar markets to her.
A good question to ask yourself when evaluating which groups to join is whether you regularly have the opportunity to refer the types of businesses represented in the group. Then whether you can envisage getting to know, like and trust them first.
Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success
business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast
It turned out that she hadn't been able to make many as most of the others operated in completely different markets to her. I suggested some other groups where she was likely to get to know, like and trust people with similar markets to her.
A good question to ask yourself when evaluating which groups to join is whether you regularly have the opportunity to refer the types of businesses represented in the group. Then whether you can envisage getting to know, like and trust them first.
Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success
business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast
Friday, July 3, 2009
Networking and Pipeline Building
For many people networking is a very hit and miss affair with no predictability and reliability around developing business. Earlier this week I attended a Pipeline Seminar with Sarah Owen of the Referral Institute as part of their 'Creating Referrals For Life' programme. The Pipeline Seminar is all about how to implement a structured referral strategy. On the day the attendees generated close to £750,000 worth of appointments for each other!
I have sat the Pipeline Seminar with others previously and now have monthly follow up One2One meetings where we usually give between 4 & 8 referrals to each other for the following month. It's a great complement to my networking and a way of ensuring that some of my close networking relationships are mutually profitable.
Does your networking strategy include anything like this?
Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success
business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast
I have sat the Pipeline Seminar with others previously and now have monthly follow up One2One meetings where we usually give between 4 & 8 referrals to each other for the following month. It's a great complement to my networking and a way of ensuring that some of my close networking relationships are mutually profitable.
Does your networking strategy include anything like this?
Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success
business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
What happens next?
At an event last week someone asked if he could have a private mentoring session. He said he was making good connections at networking events and was having a number of One2One meetings, but that was usually as far as it went. He said "I think my One2Ones are a bit woolly".
Meetings with no agenda or agreed outcome can often be woolly! That does not mean you have to always work to a rigid agenda or be too attached to a specific outcome. It is, however, worth taking a minute or so to agree some ground rules and set the right expectations for both parties.
The purpose of a first One2One in a networking context is often to decide whether you will both invest some time in building a relationship. If that is the case then share that with the other person. If you are taking the lead in the meeting you could open with a reminder of how you connected originally and why you thought there may be synergy between you. Then add the time the meeting will take together with what you would like to cover:
* What you would like to find out about the other person and their business.
* What they would like to find out about you and your business.
* Agreement of any continuing fit between your respective businesses.
* The next steps (typically connections to people & information) that you will undertake before meeting again.
* The date of the next meeting or catch up.
As I develop networking advocates with further interactions I always keep this loose agenda structure in mind.
Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success
business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast
Meetings with no agenda or agreed outcome can often be woolly! That does not mean you have to always work to a rigid agenda or be too attached to a specific outcome. It is, however, worth taking a minute or so to agree some ground rules and set the right expectations for both parties.
The purpose of a first One2One in a networking context is often to decide whether you will both invest some time in building a relationship. If that is the case then share that with the other person. If you are taking the lead in the meeting you could open with a reminder of how you connected originally and why you thought there may be synergy between you. Then add the time the meeting will take together with what you would like to cover:
* What you would like to find out about the other person and their business.
* What they would like to find out about you and your business.
* Agreement of any continuing fit between your respective businesses.
* The next steps (typically connections to people & information) that you will undertake before meeting again.
* The date of the next meeting or catch up.
As I develop networking advocates with further interactions I always keep this loose agenda structure in mind.
Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success
business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Asking better questions
I have just read 'At your fingertips, A guide to successful online business networking' by William Buist. It is full of really practical stuff on the effective use of online networks.
The section on asking better questions brought to mind a discussion at a recent NRG-networks seminar on effective 121 meetings. The consensus in the discussion was that questions were really important in demonstrating that you are listening attentively. They help you build trust as you show a genuine interest in the other person and their goals. As the other person shares more in their answers you can really find out how to help and who to introduce them to.
In the book William suggests asking "What is your expertise?" rather than the standard "What do you do?". A better question will make the other person think more about the answer and will lead to a better conversation.
Good Networking
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success
business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast
The section on asking better questions brought to mind a discussion at a recent NRG-networks seminar on effective 121 meetings. The consensus in the discussion was that questions were really important in demonstrating that you are listening attentively. They help you build trust as you show a genuine interest in the other person and their goals. As the other person shares more in their answers you can really find out how to help and who to introduce them to.
In the book William suggests asking "What is your expertise?" rather than the standard "What do you do?". A better question will make the other person think more about the answer and will lead to a better conversation.
Good Networking
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success
business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast
Monday, February 2, 2009
Pay Attention!
I can remember the words of teachers at school instructing us to "Pay Attention" at certain times. They were used to get us to focus on the teacher or the task in hand and stop paying attention to ourselves and other distractions. The teacher knew that we would only learn if we paid attention.
As we start a new working week I know where we are headed as a business in the longer term, the next two to three years. I also know where we are headed in the shorter term, the next two to three months. This means I also know which things are important right now. I also know that if I don't pay attention to them they will not happen.
Paying Attention is important in networking too. Both with regard to your objectives and to the people you meet. When you meet with someone at a networking meeting or in a One2ONe remember to pay full attention to the other person when they are speaking. Only then will you be able to listen fully to what they are saying, ask good questions and be able to identify what they are looking for and how you can help.
Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success
business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast
As we start a new working week I know where we are headed as a business in the longer term, the next two to three years. I also know where we are headed in the shorter term, the next two to three months. This means I also know which things are important right now. I also know that if I don't pay attention to them they will not happen.
Paying Attention is important in networking too. Both with regard to your objectives and to the people you meet. When you meet with someone at a networking meeting or in a One2ONe remember to pay full attention to the other person when they are speaking. Only then will you be able to listen fully to what they are saying, ask good questions and be able to identify what they are looking for and how you can help.
Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success
business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
How to have a good One2One meeting
I had a recent One2One meeting with another Business Owner who asked for some help with One2One meetings. He explained that he was following up with people from his networking groups and was having One2Ones with a couple of people each month. His problem was that nothing was happening afterward. He shared his experience from a couple of these meetings which revealed that he had no agenda and was setting no expectation for what might happen next.
When agreeing to meet someone for a One2One for the first time in a Networking context your aim should be to establish whether you are going to go forward & build a business relationship or not. You don't need a formal agenda, but there are some things that help in the long term when you agree them up front:
1. The amount of time you will both set aside for the meeting
2. What you want to learn about each others background and business.
3. Is there a fit between your business and theirs and could you see yourself being able to introduce them to other trusted contacts of yours. What would need to happen for that to take place?
4. What the next steps will be.
I use this simple mind map to make sure I keep these things in mind.
Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success
business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast
When agreeing to meet someone for a One2One for the first time in a Networking context your aim should be to establish whether you are going to go forward & build a business relationship or not. You don't need a formal agenda, but there are some things that help in the long term when you agree them up front:
1. The amount of time you will both set aside for the meeting
2. What you want to learn about each others background and business.
3. Is there a fit between your business and theirs and could you see yourself being able to introduce them to other trusted contacts of yours. What would need to happen for that to take place?
4. What the next steps will be.
I use this simple mind map to make sure I keep these things in mind.
Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success
business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast
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