Meet the right people

Article contributed by Hazel Walker.

  “Master networkers know that a good contact isn’t necessarily a good connection. One of the most important things we’ve learned is that it’s not what you know, or even who you know – it’s how well you know them and how well they know you that really counts in building a powerful network.”

“…A contact is someone you know, but with whom you haven’t fully established a strong relationship. A connection is someone who knows you, likes you and trusts you because you’ve taken the time to establish credibility with [them].”

I can’t tell you how many networking events I’ve attended over the last 20 years. Without exception, there are always two main groups of people you can easily recognize. One group is enjoying, or finds comfort in, the food and drinks. The other group is there shaking hands, kissing babies and collecting as many business cards as possible from their new contacts hoping to find that one special person that will become their next client.

One of your main goals should be to meet the right people. Quick note: I’m not saying that there are “wrong” people; simply people that are better suited than others to help you build your business. How do you know who the right people are?

TAKE ACTION this week to identify them:

1.    Identify 5 professions (other than your own) that serve your preferred clients. Those are the folks you want to meet when you’re out and about.
2.    Identify 2 specific business goals and then identify the specific people you can seek out to help you accomplish each goal.
3.    Identify 3 associations and organizations you can ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE in to meet and develop relationships with the right people.

Unless and until you can take all of those business cards to your local bank and cash them in, it’s probably not in your best interest to become a card collector. Instead, you should attend networking events with purpose…the purpose of connecting with the right people.