JULY
2004 ********************************************
IN THIS ISSUE
Welcome
Article: The Concept of Power Networking
News and Announcements
Contact Information
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WELCOME
Hi everyone! It’s the middle of summer and I hope you are
enjoying it as much as I am! I’m writing this as I sit poolside
at the Crowne Plaza Hotel & Resort in Redondo Beach. I’m
attending a coaching conference conducted by my long-time coach,
colleague and business partner, Michael Charest. I’m having
a great time indulging in new experiences, sharing and exploring
ideas, and meeting some wonderful people.
Following this conference, I will work for a couple of days and
then my family and I will enjoy a few days in Palm Springs enjoying
the dry heat. Due to all this traveling, I hope you all don’t
mind that this month’s newsletter is a repeat of one of
my favorite newsletters. I promise to write on a brand new topic
next month!
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THE CONCEPT OF POWER NETWORKING
I think we would all agree that building relationships is key
to
growing your business. Not only is it important in bringing in
new business, but it is critical in inspiring loyalty in a current
customer.
Authors Sandy Vilas and Donna Fisher coined the phrase,
“power networking” in their book by the same name.
Power
networking, they explain, is a process that consists of
“gathering, collecting, and distributing
information for the
mutual benefit of you and the people in your network.” I
love
that definition. The concept of power networking is such that
we don’t have to feel like we are selling when we’re
out there
interacting with people. It’s all about what we can do for
others, rather than what others can do for us. Included in this
concept is the idea of giving while expecting nothing in return.
No strings attached! In other words, if you meet someone at an
event, rather than trying to “sell” to that person,
try instead to
really listen to what’s going on and see if there is someone
in your network who would be beneficial for this new
person to meet. The good deed you do by putting these
people together will come back ten-fold.
One of the great benefits of power networking is that once the
paradigm has shifted, and you truly embrace the power
networking mindset, doing things such as “working a room”
are no longer the dreaded ordeals they once were.
Consider how wonderful it would be to actually enjoy
attending a networking event. If you are a power networker
you will look forward to such events because you are there to
put people together for their mutual benefit. You can do this
by
putting one person at the event together with another in the
room, or by putting a person who is not in the room together
with a person who is in the room.
You will also attend the event with the mindset that you are
a
host, not a guest. If you feel like a host, you will want to make
your guests comfortable. Don’t discuss the weather, instead
ask
something like, “Is this your first conference?” or
“Have you
heard this keynote speaker before?” The idea is to find
common ground that will lead to further conversation, which
will begin building the relationship!
Do you see the value in the power-networking concept? It is
indeed a way of thinking that is light years ahead of the old
paradigm of interacting with others for the sole purpose of
selling them something. Power networking is more than a way
of doing business; it’s a lifestyle for success. Helping
others,
sharing resources and distributing information without
expecting anything in return may not seem natural or
comfortable to you at first, but it WILL pay huge dividends
over time. Give it a try!
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NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Booklet Details.
To purchase your copy of my booklet,
Business Development: 97 Quick & Easy
Tips For Lawyers, go to my web site
at www.rainmaker-strategies.com
or send me an email at
Barbara@Rainmaker-Strategies.com
and I’ll be happy to process your order.
Cost is $5.00 for a single copy (plus
tax where applicable and shipping).
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CONTACT INFORMATION
Barbara Nichols Mencer
Rainmaker Strategies
Barbara@Rainmaker-Strategies.com
www.rainmaker-strategies.com
If you’ve enjoyed this article and learned a valuable
business-building tip, please feel free to forward
this newsletter to your friends and colleagues.
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Copyright 2003, All Rights Reserved. Reproduction
in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
