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Great article Zita,

Your right on with your title. And with all that your saying.

In fact, as you know, most people don't really have a joyful experience of this thing called networking.

Keep up the good work.

Ron Sukenick

Staying in this groove of connection, I'd like to further the thought process by discussing the idea of interaction. And building relationships.

What's real, is that Increased Interaction Brings Increased Cooperation

How true it is when it comes to building solid relationships with others. Take a moment and think about rolling a pair of dice. If we asked you to roll one of the dice it would be called a die.

As you know, most die are numbered from 1 to 6 right? OK, now here’s the question.

If you roll the die 20 times in a row, and the die lands on the number 3, what are the odds that the next time you roll the die it will land on the number 3? Now don’t rush into it. Think for a moment.

Now most people that I mention this to say one of two things:

• The odds are not very likely

         OR

• The odds are very likely

The reality is that in both cases the odds are the same. They are one in six.

With that said, what’s most interesting about this formula, is the magic number of 6.

Now, let us contrast rolling dice to increasing interaction. Increasing interaction brings increased cooperation with others.

From my own observations, and from self research, my theory is that if you can interact with someone at least six times, then you’ll end up having a 50/50 chance of either building an incredible relationship or not having a relationship at all.

While I’m open to having a relationship with others, it’s only through mutual consideration that a relationship is possible. If you consider that the interaction you had could lead into an incredible relationship with someone then it is so. It’s that simple.

So what is it I’m saying you ask? I’m saying that if you are interested in pursuing a relationship with another, make the attempt to interact at least six times from the time you first meet them.

By doing this, you’re in a position to continue to the lay the foundation toward building a wonderful relationship with another.

When all is said and done, just being there is never enough. Follow-up, increased interaction, and a sincere approach to the relationship is a winning combination.

Wow, great information from everyone.

But allow me to add somethnig that's most important for all attedending. Be sure to go after the relationship. Not just the sale by using what I call the Small World Theory

“It’s such a small world isn’t it?”

How knowing what to do with your six degrees of separation can take your contacts into purposeful connection “It’s such a small world, isn’t it?” You’ve heard the phrase dozens of times. Perhaps you’ve even used it yourself after getting to know someone and being surprised to learn that you have mutual friends or are in some other way connected. But, have you ever really stopped to consider how understanding this “small world” can help us achieve business and professional goals? Social scientists have been trying to figure out these social networks since the late 1960’s. What they found was that most people in the world can be connected to one another by six degrees of separation. All of the people who we know – our work colleagues, old high school buddies, and social friends – make up our first degree of separation. In turn, all the people they know become the second degree of separation from us. And so on, until we reach six degrees and can connect with just about anyone on the planet. That’s good in theory. But how do we put the theory into practice and make these “small world” moments translate into real social capital? How can these relationships that I’ve established get me in the door of my target customers? In short, you must be proactive if you are to truly maximize the power in the connection and to get the most from the interaction. Here's one simple approach: Step 1: Stay in the moment. Always be present when you’re meeting people and pay attention to what might be going on in their world. Step 2: Always mention the names of people, places, events and occurrences. This will give the other person the opportunity to respond with the possibility a small world connection. Step 3: Ask connecting questions like: • “Do you know Susie Jones over at XYZ company • “You seam to be in a great mood – Do you mind if I ask why? • "Have you ever been to the island of Kauai?" When you ask the questions, you’ll be surprised how quickly you can make the connection. Of course this approach is only as good your ability to “take the moment and dance with it.” Now, here’s a true story that should clearly illustrate the Small World Theory: I was attending the Home and Patio show one year at the Indiana Fairgrounds when I noticed a young lady sitting at a table and signing autographs. The signs around the table identified her as Bryn Chapman, the current Ms. Indiana. As you’d suspect, she was smiling, meeting people, and sharing her passion for a worthy cause. I stopped, said hello, and after 4 minutes (of which I spoke for one minute and listened to her for the other three minutes), I ended our nice visit by saying, “Bryn, It was pleasure meeting you. Thanks for your time. Great cause. And good luck in all that you do.” Now, move ahead six weeks. I was facilitating training for a private company. The participants’ instructions were “tell us who you are, what you do, and the thing that you’re most proud of.” As were going around the room, one gentleman stood up and said “My name is Dan Chapman. I’m the marketing director for U-Build it Corporation. And, I’m most proud of my little girl who is currently Ms. Indiana.” Now think about it. At that very moment, I had two options. One was to thank Dan and then go onto to the next person for their introduction. But as you would imagine, though, that’s not what I did. In the spirit of taking the moment and dancing with it, I steered our conversation as follows: • “Dan, I think I met your Daughter!” Of course, this now gets his attention (which is the first step in the connection process). • He then looks to me for further explanation and I continue: • “Dan, I was at the fairgrounds the other day and met a young lady that said she was the current Ms Indiana. She’s a music major at Indiana University, came in 10th in the Ms. America contest, and was signing autographs for many young aspiring Ms. Indiana’s at the Fair. And, her name was Bryn Chapman. My gosh. I did meet your daughter.” • He then says, “It’s such a small world, isn’t it?” • I respond, “Actually, it’s not,” (this now gets his attention a second time) “unless you and I know what to do with the information. And, the fact is Dan that we do.” Unfortunately, many people who have a prime opportunity to take advantage of this “small world” phenomenon, just don’t know what to do with the knowledge. But, by taking simple steps to seize the moment and to recall previous information at the point of interaction, we can create the connection that helps to make our encounters more memorable. Making the most from your interactions comes down to having a strategy in place. So, the next time someone says “It’s such a small world, isn’t it?” you’ll know that how to capitalize on that connectivity to grow your community of business allies. It’s not a small world. It’s what you do to connect the dots that makes it seem that way. After all, the power really is in the connection.

Brianna,

Selling is simply a transference of feelings.

If people feel as good about your service and what it offers as you do, they will feel as good about your services as you do.

At that point, if what you provide to people is worth considerably more than what you?re asking from people, and you can prove it, in most cases you'll get what you want from people.

That's why when I sell anything, I typically will sell with emotion, then close with logic.

Make sense?

Ron Sukenick