While browsing through the blogs I read regularly, (BW Price's Marketing U Blog) I ran across a link to a great article about networking from Business Week OnLine. The article, "Networking for the Right Reasons", by Carmine Gallo, is a quick read and has some great pointers.
Click here to read the whole article.
I have never understood people who are critics of networking. (How can anyone criticize reaching out to clients and prospects and showing them you think highly of them?). While networking alone is not the answer to all of your business needs, to ignore the importance of building strong business relationships is a HUGE mistake.
People do business with people they know and like. Don't kid yourself into thinking that you can be a jerk and win in business. Sure, there are lots of examples of legendary tyrants who succeed, but do you really want to be that kind of person?
But sitting around (or claiming that you are "too busy") is not how to create a network. It takes a commitment of time and effort. You must reach out to other people, get to know them and assist them with what is important in their life. Building relationships means putting other people first.
If you agree that being "networked" would help your career, then get to it. Do something now to start the process.
If you disagree, please leave a comment on this post explaining why you are better off not having strong business relationships. I'd love to hear your side of the story.
Have A Great Day.
Thom Singer
www.thomsinger.com
thom@thomsinger.com
Glad you are still blogging during your down week.
ReplyDeleteHappy Day!