Effective networking: personality partnering: let your networking be defined by your personality and life style, not by your work.(Selected Topic)

Networking is no longer the "good ol'boys" club, nor is it appropriate to pass your business card out to everyone you meet. Networking is a much more savvy market today. Networking is not something you do; it is an art you perfect. True networking will increase your business and give you a solid base for years to come. So how do you network in the 90's? To be effective in today's business, you need to network by "personality partnering". Remember, you are not trying to only reach the person you are speaking to, you want to have access to all the people they have an influence over. Let your networking be defined by your personality and life style, not by your work.

Capture Your Audience's Interest

Remember, yon need to create a desire to hear more from you. Your first line of introduction should tell people the benefit of working with you, not how you do what you do. Karen Peterson has been with Hanson's Goodies & Gifts, an 80-year-old company, since she closed her own bakery in the spring of 1994. Prior to that Karen was a customer of Hanson's for four years. When I first met Karen her introduction was, "My name is Karen Peterson and I'm with Hanson's Goodies & Gifts. We make gift baskets filled with candy, nuts and goodies for every occasion." She round her response from people was only mediocre at best. Today Karen says her benefit statement of, "I can help provide you with the perfect gift at the perfect time for any occasion without you ever having to leave the office." Having a benefit statement gives her confidence because it always rolls right off her tongue and it peaks interest. Matter-of-fact, after saying her benefit statement at a recent women's network meeting, Karen had two people come up to her to set appointments to purchase product!

Finding Your Personality Partner

Do not network for people whose companies might be good prospects for you. Instead, try to find people in the room that have similar interests to you. Similar interests include hobbies, vacations, parenting, experiences, and travel to name a few. For years the "good ol'boys" network survived because they were often built on a similar interest outside of work. They were built on golf courses and in basketball courts, churches and workout rooms. Business happened as an afterthought. Do not begin by talking about work.

Attend Great Events

Churches, community events, ski clubs, golf courses, workout centers, and chambers of commerce are some of the best places to meet people that have a similar personality and interests to yours. In Karen's situation, church, chamber events and community events would be great places to "personality partner". These events would allow her to meet others, be involved and ...