10 Really Good Business Networking Tips

At first glance, networking appears to be a very easy activity.  However, like anything else in your professional life, to be great at it requires a lot of time and effort.  In our series the Do's and Dont's of Networking, we offer additional tips on how to best approach networking opportunities and functions.

1. Ask the question "How would I know if somebody I know would be a good prospect for you?"
2. Focus on others, rather than on your needs, at networking events.
3. Give many referrals to others.
4. Network with people with outstanding reputations.
5. Avoid trying to sell people in your network.
6. Make a good first impression in your attire, manners, and attitude.
7. Come prepared with a good pen, business cards, and other materials.
8. Learn how to gracefully escape from long-winded conversations.
9. Does your personal introduction pass the "So What?" test?
10. Cell phones should be left in the car or turned off.

Barry Demp is a highly-skilled michigan business and personal coach focused on the areas of leadership, management, coaching, team building, networking, business development, communication skills, relationship building, motivation, time management, life balance, and goal achievement. He specializes in working with business owners, executives, coaches, consultants, and high-potential professionals by helping them significantly increase their productivity, profitability, and life balance.  For more information or assistance, please contact Barry Demp at 248-740-3231 or visit www.dempcoaching.com.   

Be An Outstanding Networker

Is it terribly difficult to be an outstanding business networker?  Some people may say yes, others may say no.  However, one thing is true.  We all remember and like the really good networkers in our lives.  A question to ponder is "How can we help you become the networker that you admire"?

Here are some suggestions:

1. Your non-vocational interests as opportunities to network.
2. Meet personally with the majority of individuals in your networking groups.
3. Attend my networking meetings consistently.  Out of sight means out of mind!
4. Bring other professionals to your networking events.
5. Make the first move in meeting and engaging others in conversation.
6. Learn to be masterful at the use of open-ended questions and layering (who, what, where, when, why, how).
7. Be very well read in your area of expertise and in business in general.
8. Take a proactive approach to connecting with others.
9. Be an outstanding listener.
10. Consider giving speeches to various groups about your area of expertise.

Barry Demp is a highly-skilled business and personal coach focused on the areas of leadership, management, coaching, team building, networking, business development, communication skills, relationship building, motivation, time management, life balance, and goal achievement. He specializes in working with business owners, executives, coaches, consultants, and high-potential professionals by helping them significantly increase their productivity, profitability, and life balance.  For more information or assistance, please contact Barry Demp at 248-740-3231 or visit www.dempcoaching.com.   

Traits of Successful Networkers

What makes successful networkers successful?  

Here are some of the ways that top networkers continue to build their businesses from networking opportunities:

1. Have a well practices 15 or 30 second elevator speech (commercial).
2. Network with your suppliers and vendors.
3. Have specific goals for your networking activities.
4. Following up is your responsibility. 
5. Quality is better than quantity in networking.
6. Volunteer at civic or non-profit organizations.
7. Focus on being interested versus interesting at networking events.
8. Be able to answer W.I.I.F.T. - What's In It For Them? - when you meet someone at a networking event.
9. Be focused on a specific set of target markets versus scattered among many.
10. Build a large quality network of resources to share with others.

Barry Demp is a highly-skilled business and personal coach focused on the areas of leadership, management, coaching, team-building, networking, business development, communication skills, relationship building, motivation, time management, life balance, and goal achievement. He specializes in working with business owners, executives, coaches, consultants, and high-potential professionals by helping them significantly increase their productivity, profitability, and life balance.  For more information or assistance, please contact Barry Demp at 248-740-3231 or visit www.dempcoaching.com.  

Do These Effective Networking Tips

What characteristics make for a great networker?  In our series The Do's and Dont's of Networking, we are offering several recommended networking tips from Barry Demp.  Here are a few that you can use at your next networking opportunity or event:  

1. Use a scoreboards to track your networking activities and effectiveness.
2. Be a giver at networking events.  Givers gain!
3. Have a plan for your networking activities.
4. Networking strategies should be intensively targeted on specific industries and professions.
5. Network everywhere.
6. Help prospects with their problems even if they cannot be a good lead for you.
7. Use the other person's name often in your networking conversations.
8. Send thank you notes and follow up consistently.
9. Limit your eating and drinking at networking events.
10. Be very confident and comfortable with yourself and the value of your services.

Barry Demp is a highly-skilled business and personal coach focused on the areas of leadership, management, coaching, team-building, networking, business development, communication skills, relationship building, motivation, time management, life balance, and goal achievement. He specializes in working with business owners, executives, coaches, consultants, and high-potential professionals by helping them significantly increase their productivity, profitability, and life balance.  For more information or assistance, please contact Barry Demp at 248-740-3231 or visit www.dempcoaching.com.