What's your networking IQ?
Value, value and more value… that’s the formula! There is no one size fits all approach to building relationships, but there are some general networking principles that you must follow to enhance your strategy: Always focus on providing value to your clients, colleagues and yes, even your vendors. Never take any connection you have for granted; in … Read more
You can’t control other people’s behaviors; however, you can significantly improve your chances of influencing the outcomes you seek. When it comes to getting people to return your calls/emails it’s more about how you have positioned these relationships. Unfortunately, most people don’t do things unless they benefit from it, so the key is to think of … Read more
One type of skill is not necessarily more important than the other, but what is imperative is to have a balance of the two. For the past couple of decades, the focal point of education has been on STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), so it is evident that tech skills are essential. Possessing … Read more
My top advice would be to apply the ABC’s of relationship-building… Always Be Connecting: Spend time on fostering your connections and surround yourself with influential individuals. As the famous motivational speaker Tony Robbins said, “Proximity is power.” Just being around, touching base and being top-of-mind with people is a great way to earn respect. But to really earn … Read more
You do not need a degree to build relationships! Don’t feel slighted for not having gone to business school. There are so many ways to create large and entropic networks, but you need to know how to properly do it. What is your motivation for wanting to improve yours? What are your goals? And who … Read more
Unequivocally, YES! My educational experience offered me the opportunity to meet and interact with different people from different backgrounds. The beauty of this is it gave me a chance to form meaningful relationships with a diverse group of individuals, with each person bringing something special and unique to the table. This helped me ascertain various viewpoints … Read more
Whether you’re referencing the best way to grow your social media following or how to build your personal network, it always comes down to this: provide value. You have to give to get! Just as you offer something worthy like an informative blog post on Twitter to help you gain followers, you must extend something valuable … Read more
As the old saying goes, “The fortune is in the follow up”. And it’s great you’re thinking about this because not many people actually do it or make the effort to learn the appropriate steps to take. Following through actually helps you stand out! And here are a few things to keep in mind for your follow … Read more
You shouldn’t try to be something you’re not. If you do, then you’re not being genuine and you’re misrepresenting yourself—which is not the best way to build connections with business contacts. Keep in mind that meaningful relationships are built on trust, not pretend. Own your introversion and thrive! Believe it or not introverts often make … Read more
Not everyone actually follows up with their new connections; having the desire to take on a process for following through after a business card exchange already puts you ahead of others! The first step is to have a plan in place, and you’re now on your way with that one. Then you should: Record contact info—enter their contact details … Read more