<p>The first time you meet me, please don't paint a target on my back (or my front for that matter!) </p><p>When you do that, you have ceased to see me as a person and you have created a hunter mentality in both of us. </p><p>You (the hunter) are going in for the kill (the sale.)</p><p>All the while, I (the prey) am resisting you (running away in my mind even though my feet are planted firmly on the ground in front of you.)</p><p>Networking is not about making the sale in the now ... in this moment. If it were, it would be called Salesmaking not Networking.</p><p>If you are in sales mode at a networking event you are less likely to have success in your networking activities. And that is because no one likes to be hunted down and treated like your next sales conquest. Please always remember that people hate to be SOLD but most people love to BUY.</p><p><b>The Know, Like, and Trust Factor</b></p><p>So, if networking is not about making sales, what is it about?</p><p>First, let's start with the idea that people do business with people they know, like, and trust. This is a universal statement about networking and I'm sure that you've heard it many, many times. </p><p>And yet, so many people want to skip past the parts about the knowing and liking ... they want to go straight to the part about getting referrals or sales without building to and through the trusting part.</p><p>Here are a few ideas of how networking allows people to grow to know, like, and trust you.</p><p>Networking is an opportunity to:</p><ul><li>meet new people (they get to know you) <br /> </li><li>build relationships with folks you already know (they grow to like you over time) <br /> </li><li>let people experience you as a person by seeing you in action - they learn to trust you by watching:</li></ul><ul><ul><li>how you treat other people</li><li>that you show up on time</li><li>that you help by volunteering</li><li>that you make a point to listen intently</li><li>that you make a point to help others to connect with each other</li><li>that you share resources often and with care</li><li>that you are generally a person with a positive attitude</li><li>that you are looking to give to the group that you are involved with </li></ul></ul><p>The building of trust is where the heavy lifting comes into play. This is where you must show your character, your integrity, your ability, and your kindness and concern for others.</p><p>When you look at networking as a kindness that you do for yourself by being kind and giving to others you begin to have a healthier, more organic, relationship with your networking efforts. <br /><br />You become more like a farmer than a hunter. You realize that relationships take time and nourishment and continued care for the crop to grow. You realize that when you plant the seed of friendship and give it time to grow ... that there is an abundance of great things that will come your way.</p><p><b>Great, how do I get people to trust me?</b></p><p>The answer lies within you and your efforts AND I would like to suggest that you take a look at the list below and see how your efforts are in alignment with the ways people can see you in action. </p><ul><li>Do you treat others with respect?</li><li>Do you show up on a regular basis?</li><li>Do you show up on time?</li><li>Do you make a point to help by volunteering?</li><li>Do you listen more than you talk?</li><li>Do you listen to hear? I mean really focused listening!</li><li>Do you ask questions that show you care and truly want to learn about the person you are talking with?</li><li>Do you spend more time being interested than trying to be interesting?</li><li>Do you ask "How will I know when a person I meet is a good referral for you?"</li><li>Do you make a point to help connect people in a meaningful way?</li><li>Do you share ideas, tips, articles, or books that you've read as resources that might help others?</li><li>Do you generally seek to help others first knowing that great things are coming your way as well?</li></ul><p>These really are common sense courtesies and acts of kindness that you can put into use every single day no matter where you are.</p><p>I recently was listening to a tape by Dr. Wayne Dyer and I will leave you with this thought from that tape:<br /><br /><b><i>"Anyone can count the seeds in an apple ... but no one can count the apples in one seed"</i></b></p><p>I hope that the next time you are out networking, that you will remember to act like a Master Gardner and be sure to plant many wonderful seeds!<br /> </p>
2008-02-26T18:53:19Z
2008-02-27T15:50:33Z
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the-target-on-my-back
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2008-02-27T15:50:15Z
2008-02-27T15:50:15Z
<p>If you would like to have better results from your networking, consider becoming more like a gardener and less like a hunter! This article will give you some quick insight into the difference between the two styles of networking.</p>
The Target On My Back
0
2009-02-24T09:43:17Z