Networking Wisdom

That's very cool.  Thank you both.

Neato. Surprisingly i know how to say these things in cantonese. If only i could read characters!

Double neato, Chris - - can you tell us the phonetics? 

Interesting.. Thank you for sharing Linda !!

We should make this out emblem!

What a great idea, Dan!

I was thinking (ouch), what is the most powerfull word in a Networker's vocabulary. It's not I, it's not me, could be us or could be we (what have you done to me Linda?) In realty I feel that word is HI.

A heartfelt HI and a firm handshake and smile can open many a door.

HI! I'm Duane, Can we connect? (six words, Linda created a nmonster)

HI Duane -

What a great post!  You are right on in my estimation - and it doesn't hurt at all!

I know it's been said many times. It can be argued the person's name is most important word in networking. Admittedly, I struggle with remembering names. I have to make a concerted effort using memory techniques.

Hi Dan

Just wanted to add one more perspective to " ASK ". When it comes to business networking when we say ASK almost all the time we think about our ask in the form of...

...I need help with...Does anyone know person x in y company)... I need partnerships... so on and so forth..

but another important aspect in "ASK" when it comes to networking is "asking the right questions to get to know the other person and their business" 

- By the way did you know setting goals for network meetings that you decided to attend will help you with doing an effective ask.

Henry Joshua
www.dot-sign.com

Dan - get to know MCC member Kimberly Kassner and her "Empowermind" system for remembering names.

Henry - you are right on... as JFK said (sort of) "ask now what other MCC people can do for you, but what you can do for other MCC people. 

Please tell us more about setting goals for networking meetings.

Henry,

The value of well thought out ask becomes more apparent to me the longer I'm part of MCC. This brings to mind something Author James Ray said in an article Terry Bean posted a short time back. "Energy flows where attention goes." A good ask gains the attention necessary to accomplish your goal.

I remember a practice I used to do and have gotten sloppy and out of the habit of doing.  Before any networking get-together (usually in the car on the way there), I would set two intentions for myself:

First, what result was I going to produce out of the meeting?  It might be to meet AND FORM A CONNECTION with 3 new people.  (As in, not just say hi, thrust my business card in their face, and move on, or (only slightly better) talk with them for only 2 minutes.  There has to be some sort of connection made for it to count.)  Or to further a connection I've already started.  Or to have me be well thought-of in the business community.  It can truly be anything you say.

The second intention I would set would be who was I going to BE at that meeting?  Was I going to be intentional?  Charismatic?  Powerful?  Open?  Giving?  High Impact?  And, time after time, I found that the result I would produce would come directly out of who I was being.  Like, a direct correlation.  No intention for being, not many results.  Intention for being, lots of great results! 

Try it on.  See what happens.  And let me know!

"What do I want to BE..." versus "What do I want to ACCOMPLISH..." is huge, Natalie - thank you so much for expressing it so clearly.