Today during a breakout session at The Growth Coach Conference in Chicago, Amy Kilpatrick an Executive Director with BNI spoke. Did you know that Networking only is effective when you have a plan?

This is an interesting concept as typically attendees at a Chamber or other networking events go in with a bunch of business cards with the hopes of landing business right there. Business only can occur when a relationship is built. Therefore, if you go in with that as your motivation you are actually only socializing. However if you go into the event with a game plan then and only then will you begin the process of networking. Ask yourself, “ How can I help others?” When you do you become a resource. As a resource you become the expert rather than a salesperson. This is important as this leads to more business as the average person knows more than 200 people.

Then approach people who can build your network. Doing this expands your reach and depth of your organization and your business builds and you become something more than a “one trick pony.” 

 

Lesson Here – Always have a plan. Without a plan then anything will do. And Networking will actually work for you. Becoming a business builder for others naturally builds your business and with that you become profitable and grow.

Dave Josephson is the CEO of The Growth Coach® – of Jax, A leverager of natural born talent – coach, writer, and speaker who enables business professionals to remove their clutter so that they get out of their own way. In the end, his clients
enjoy their businesses the way they originally intended. Contact him at 904-253-7845 or visit www.TheGrowthCoachofJax.com

 

 

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