66 Tips For Better Networking - #40

Route 66 - The Journey Toward Success


Express Your Appreciation


Many people work toward building a strong network of professional contacts to help advance their career. They invest the time and energy to cultivate relationships that can lead to referrals and other amazing opportunities. When the new business comes rolls in they celebrate until the cows come home.


They immediately jump into servicing the new customer. The work load takes all their attention and they quickly forget that this new client came from a referral. While they had great intentions to say "thank you" to the person who made the referral, once some time passes the immediacy to properly express gratitude begins to dwindle.

Many people that I talk with rarely follow through on the "thank you" step of networking in the manner that they intend. They get busy and too much time goes past.

I recently talked to a friend who had gotten a great new job through a referral. She immediately took the steps to thank the person who helped her. She hunted around for a cool and trendy new restaurant and purchased a $150 gift certificate and delivered it to the person who made a difference in her career.

I recently counseled a legal marketing professional who was looking to make a job change. We met for coffee and discussed her situation. Two days later I received a $15 Starbucks gift card with a handwritten thank you note. Wow, that was unexpected and classy!

Another friend made a referral that lead to a $15,000 commission for the person who received the business. There was never a "thank you" made at all. Ouch, that hurts.

How do you say "thank you" to those in your life? Do you make it a priority to act on your intentions of appreciation in a timely and appropriate manner? Being busy is no excuse. If you want to continue to see your referral network expand, you need to honor those who take the time to impact your life.

Be creative and generous with how you say thank you, but most importantly, be timely.

Have A Great Day.

thom
www.thomsinger.com