![]() |
Networking Information |
|
|
The Foundation of Networking: Its Not Rocket Science
Commandment 1 Love When we choose to simply love, our giving and receiving becomes unconditional. We can listen and not be caught up in the vicious cycle of judgment. We can also watch people and suspend judgment because we are learning to understand that our perception of an individual's behavior does not make it so. This is the essence of friendliness. Someone once said, "I keep the telephone of my mind open to love and peace, when fear, doubt and negative call they get a busy signal, soon they will forget my number." Commandment 2 Smile A smile makes us appear approachable. Some people are scared by a smile simply because they are not accustomed to unsolicited warmth and acceptance. Everyone needs acceptance. If we do not reach out and smile, who will? Smile just for the beauty of smiling. It takes 72 muscles to frown, only 14 muscles to smile. Put your muscles to good use and smile. A smile, like a butterfly, brings beauty to the world simply through its existence. You can create the same experience by sharing your smile. Commandment 3 Touch We are inclined to take the art of networking for granted. In doing so, we inadvertently violate unspoken laws governing communication. Be considerate of personal space. Upon meeting someone new, do not assume it is okay to touch him or her. Be mindful that communication is 7% words, 38% tone/inflection and 55% non-verbal. Be careful of your non-verbal messages, especially when you are dealing with the opposite sex. Use caution until you can safely determine that your new contacts, friends and loved ones are comfortable with touching. Once you learn this, you are free to enjoy touching as part of your communication. Commandment 4 Humor Although humor is a quality that we all possess, we are usually somewhat reluctant to display it. Humor eases pain, releases burdens and can keep your stress levels down, use it! Learn to literally live until you die. Oliver Wendell Holmes said, "Most people die with the music still in them, while others live their lives desperately looking for the music." A friend recently made reference to a delightful person with a pleasant spirit who made his transition. She was very sad by the loss of this person whom she did not know personally. I asked her why was she so sad, she remarked that whenever she saw him, he was so very pleasant and she missed the beauty of his spirit and his humor. Commandment 5 Laughter Laughter, like humor, will keep the blues away. Many times we laugh at others, but the true secret to the benefits of laughter is being able to laugh at yourself. Enjoy yourself; you are going to be with yourself for the rest of your life! Other people want to be around people who enjoy laughing and will go out of their way to include them. Most of us enjoy being around people that can bring the beauty of laughter to our atmosphere. I still enjoy watching "I Love Lucy," after all these years it still makes me laugh. Commandment 6 Lagniappe (Lan yapp) This is a southern term, which means "a little something extra," simply share an extra portion of your kindness, joy, peace and patience with those you meet. It is nice to be important but more important to be nice. That little something extra will create goodwill, trust and inspire confidence, which will make you an excellent candidate for the job, contract or business venture. I'll give you that little something extra at the end of the book, so keep reading. Commandment 7 Warmth/Care When it comes to networking and warmth, sincerity is the key element. That sincerity guides the spirit of networking and is what sets this book apart from the dozens of others providing networking advice. The power of genuine concern, particularly when it comes to networking, can be summed in the advice passed down by our grandmothers. "People do not care how much you have and how much you know, until they know how much you care." In conclusion, remember the "Networking Factor... everybody is important!" Ms. Smallwood-McKenzie is a Networking Coach in Los Angeles and she coaches small businesses and professionals in expanding their political, business, and social bases. She is the Author of "The 101 Commandments of Networking: Common Sense But Not Common Practice." Enjoy Free Preview compliments of http://www.101NetworkingCommandments.com or visit Amazon.com to read Customer Reviews of this guide. This networking guide is available wherever fine books are sold. Janice's e-mail address is ConfirmedCoach@netscape.net
MORE RESOURCES:
Networking - Google News |
RELATED ARTICLES
Networking in the Change Room: 5 Ways to Network Effectively While Getting Undressed There's a time and place to network with people in order to generate leads, build rapport and form meaningful relationships. The change room at your gym, spa or country club isn't one of them. Why Arent You Talking to Me? Your nonverbal communication talks before you do. Only seven percent of interpersonal communication is transmitted verbally-the remaining ninety-three percent speaks for itself. The Power of Word of Mouth Most of us remember the commercial that said, "I told two friends, and they told two friends, and so on, and so on, and?", well you get the picture. This commercial, which represented Breck Hair Shampoo, ran so many times that even I remember who the commercial represented. Success Sentences to Help Combat Conversational Crappiness Essential to your success as an effective, engaging communicator is learning not only what to say, but what not to say. The following guide examines several sentences, phrases and questions that stand in your way of connecting and communicating with confidence. Five Steps for Expanding Your Customer Base with Guerilla Networking As a single company, it is impossible to provide your customers with all the services they desire for every aspect of their life; but with guerilla marketing, you can come close. By partnering with companies that provide different, yet complimentary, services to your business, you can create a network of reliable resources for your customers. Volunteering for a Networking Group When is it appropriate to volunteer to take a position in the group?Have you heard the saying that "the fastest way to get anything done is to ask a busy person"? It is very true. What it actually boils down to is the fact that busy people are often very well organized and have the ability to delegate some of their tasks. How to Collect Business Cards Why the business card grab is not why you are there? So how do you obtain the card and show interest that gains confidence?One of the things I am also always asked is, "How do you collect cards?" and "What do you do with them when you get them back to the office?" What really happens when you collect business cards? Often they get put into a pocket with many others. Have you ever collected cards to later find out that you have no idea who the person was? This happens all the time. A New LinkedIn Discussion Forum for High Power Dealmakers For those of you interested in international business transactions or the business networking organization, LinkedIn, a new Yahoo groups discussion forum has been created. Several Yahoo discussion groups already exist on the uses and preferences concerning LinkedIn, such as the Yahoo Group forum called MyLinkedin Power Forum (MLPF), but the messages on that forum were biased. What a Leads Exchange Group can do for You What is the definition of a leads exchange and how does it differ from other groups?So what is a leads exchange? A leads exchange comes in several flavors; first the exchange usually has exclusivity restrictions so that you remain loyal to only one group. This way the printer and the chiropractor that belong to this group will only think of you for a particular service or product. Should You Offer Commissions For Customer Referrals? As a small business owner you may find yourself in a situation where you want to partner with another business but they are asking for a commission on your services. You will want to be prepared to handle such a request BEFORE you find yourself in this situation. Hey, Whos the New Guy? How to Make Guests and First Timers Feel Welcome The New Guy is a person we all know. And regardless of age, gender, race or personality - spotting The New Guy and stepping onto their front porch is your duty as an existing member of any organization. Franchisees Should Learn From Each Other If you own a franchise you should be in contact with your nearest franchisees and share information as if you were the manager of a corporate store. You should set up meetings once or twice per month and have their phone numbers logged into your speed dial for easy reference. How to Keep from Sounding LIKE Totally Stupid June is reality check month. Lots of the resolutions have been made and most are already broken. Unforgettable First Impressions Part 4: Become a Social Gift Giver Do you ever wonder why single people give flowers, wine, candy or mix CD's on first dates?Bingo! Because they want to get lucky!Just kidding. They bring gifts because they want make a great first impression. The Promotion Factor: Seven Strategies to Promote Yourself and Your Business by Playing Golf Effective business promotion is more powerful than advertising. Using golf is one the best ways to increase your business and personal success. 9 Ways to Spice Up Your Nametags for More Engaging Conversation Nametags are worn for a variety of jobs and functions, but people don't like to wear them because they're annoying, damage your clothing, clash with your outfit, and eliminate anonymity.Picture this: you see someone's nametag and decide to strike up a conversation with them:"Nice to meet you Jimmy, my name is Gary. The 7 Habits of Highly Horrible Networkers Networking is a term that didn't exist (academically) until almost 40 years ago. It's a word uttered in and around the business world every day, yet is unclear to most as to how it actually works. Sticky Situations: Nametag Best Practices Because a person's name is the single context of human memory most apt to be forgotten; because self-disclosure is the single most effective way to build rapport and connect with people you just met; and because initiating the conversation is half the battle - your nametag is your best friend.However, improper creation and wearing of nametags can work against you (and your business) if you're not careful. How to Avoid Falling Asleep Behind the Conversational Wheel Think about the last time you feel asleep behind the wheel. Dangerous, isn't it? Even if it's just for a split second, nodding off while driving puts you and the other drivers at risk. Have We Met Before? What to Do When You Cant Remember Who Yourre Talking To You see him from across the room. You know him, but you can't remember how you know him. |
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |