043- The Secret to Profitable Networking

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​Several national polls suggest that the majority of business owners rely on word-of-mouth marketing and referrals but fewer than 40% actively network.  Time and confidence are the leading challenges.  If you own a business, run a business, sell for a business or need contacts to refer clients too, and your brand has a reputation to protect, you need to know how to network correctly.  Lots of books have been written on the subject.  Why you do it and how you do it determine your success with it.

:45      Introduce episode: 
Business networking is a valuable activity for building and maintaining your clients and revenues.  It can also be a real time waister if there is no understanding of how networking works and a plan to follow.
 
1:15   Who benefits from this show?  
If you own a business, run a business, sell for a business or need contacts to refer clients too, and your brand has a reputation to protect, you need to know how to network correctly.  Lots of books have been written on the subject.  Why you do it and how you do it determine your success with it.
 
2:00   Talking points: (8:00 mins)

1. Why network? It’s time consuming and there are no guarantees
2. What’s the main reason for networking?
3. Who should be networking?

 
10:00 Tips for improving in this area or overcoming this problem: (7:00 mins)

1. Be clear about why you are networking and who you are.
2. Focus on relationship building, not selling.
3. Network everywhere, not just at networking events.
4. Practice reciprocity- help others first
5. It takes time.  Have a plan to nurture quality relationships

 17:00 Final Take-aways: (2:00 mins)    
Networking techniques are helpful but your intention is what people pick up on.  If you are liked, if people value your opinion, if you are trustworthy, you will get an ROI from networking.
 

19:00 Closing comments: 
Building quality personal interactions is what generates referrals and pays the profits.  How you impact, influence and help others get what they want is what profitable networking is all about.
 
20:00 Show ends
 
Resource Information:
https://www.inc.com/nicolas-cole/1-networking-rule-99-percent-of-people-are-afraid-to-follow-but-should.html
 
https://us.experteer.com/magazine/most-successful-people-network/
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