Ask Your Own Questions

Tip 29 - Ask Your Own Questions
from the book 29% Solution by Dr Ivan Misner and Michelle Donovan

Most of us have been taught as children that if someone does something nice for you, you should someday return the favour. The law of reciprocity guides our obligations and commitments to each other, because most of us don't like to feel obligated to others. This even has an impact on our conversations when we're networking. If you want someone to ask you specific questions, ask them the same question first.

Action Step
Before attending your next networking function, think about what you want other people to ask you. To get the most out of the law of reciprocity, take the initiative and ask those questions of each person you meet. If you do, you will accomplish several things: (1) you will find out whether this person is someone you want to know better, based on his preferred client and his personality; (2) you will offer support to him instead of selling to him, which will open more doors for the conversation; and (3) you will give yourself opportunities to network your business more effectively.

Quote - "Perhaps the world little notes no long remembers individual acts of kindness, but people do." - Author, Herm Albright

Your action for today is to remember someone who did something kind for you.

I good referral for me this week is to a Builder that is looking for more work in the Sydney Southwest are as I have chapter looking to refer them work.

Make First Impressions Count

Tip 24 - Make First Impressions Count
(from the book 29% Solution by Dr Ivan Misner and Michelle Donovan)

People who meet you for the first time are judging you, whether you want them to or not. When you're meeting people for the first time, radiate confidence, demonstrate integrity, and begin to earn their trust. This will demonstrate your professionalism & enhance your chances of being welcomed into their network. Focusing on helping the other person helps ensure that you make a positive & powerful first impression.

"Silence is one of the great arts of conversation." - Philanthropist, Hanna More

Your action for today is to give someone your undivided attention during a conversation.

Thanks, everyone who referred me as a speaker, I'm now speaking on
- 28th June - Coach & Connect (ACT)
- 9th July - Lake Macquarie Council

Have Purposeful Meal Meetings

Tip 23 - Have Purposeful Meal Meetings
(from the book 29% Solution by Dr Ivan Misner and Michelle Donovan)

The networking purpose for this meal meeting might be to further develop the relationship, to help a colleague solve a problem, to learn how to refer someone in your network, to introduce your colleague to someone significant, or to teach someone how to talk about your business to his own network members. These meetings are strategic and results oriented. They provide high value for your invested time.

"Generosity with strings is not generosity-- it is a deal." -American Writer and Critic, Marya Mannes

Your action for today is to make an anonymous donation

Learn to PLAY Golf or Something

Tip 22 - Learn to PLAY Golf or Something
(from the book 29% Solution by Dr Ivan Misner and Michelle Donovan)

Most people agree that golf outings, because of their non-threatening nature can be good for forging relationships. Whatever activity you prefer, you can use it to bring people together in situations that are conductive to forming symbiotic relationships. How do you capitalize on the potential of your catalyst events to generate referrals for you? By inviting the right people to these events.

"A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out."
Newspaper and Radio Commentator, Walter Winchell

Your action for today is to contact a friend with whom you haven't recently been in touch.

Thanks to everyone who referred me as a speaker. I'm now speaking at the following functions
- 9th June - Kurri Kurri Chamber of Commerce
- 9th July - Lake Macquarie Council

Be a Value-Added Friend

Tip 15 - Be a Value-Added Friend
borrowed (& modified) from Scott Ginsberg author of The Power of Approachability

When you help someone meet a goal, you instantly become a "value-added" friend - an asset to this individual's life & business. You demonstrate you're in the relationship not just for what you can get out of it, but also for what you can invest on their behalf. The wise farmer knows that before he can expect a bountiful harvest, he must invest care and energy in planting and cultivating his crop. Here, you too are farming.

"Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out."
Best Selling Author, Robert Collier

Your action for today is to make a commitment to write a thank you note per day for the next week.

Thanks, everyone who referred me as a speaker, I am now appearing
- 29th April - Newcastle Hunter Junior Chamber - see website
- 17th May - Lake Macquarie Business Club - see website
- TBA - Toronto Business Chamber - see website

Reconnect with People from the Past

Tip 10 - Reconnect with People from the Past

(from the book 29% Solution by Dr Ivan Misner & Michelle Donovan)

It's time they knew more about what's going on in your business, because you never know who they might know and how they might be able to help you. But there's a key point to remember: always offer them something in return for their help. One-sided relationships don't last long. The more people you tell about what's going on in your business, the more positive buzz it'll create on you behalf!

"Our lives improve only when we take chances - and the first and most difficult risk we can take is to be honest with ourselves." - Editor, Walter Anderson

Your action for today is to think about one positive thing you can do about something that is not working in your life.

Meet the RIGHT People

Tip 9 - Meet the RIGHT People

(from the book 29% Solution by Dr Ivan Misner & Michelle Donovan)

Effective networking is not simply about meeting a lot of people; it's about knowing the difference between a "contact" and a "connection". How well you know them and how well they know you is what really counts in building a powerful network. So, who are the right people to meet? Consider two types of individuals: those serving your preferred clients and those who have the potential to help you meet your business goals.

"A kind heart is a fountain of gladness, making everything in its vicinity freshen into smiles." - Author, Washington Irving

Your action for today is to be kind to a stranger and notice how it makes you feel.

Good referral for me this month would be an organisation that is looking for a motivational speaker on "How to build a pipeline of referrals for your business"

Its Not Netsit or Neteat it's NetWORK

Relation marketing does require work and having conversations with other business people in order to grow the relationship. This week I would like you to consider the "The types of conversations you have". I offer that there is only 3 types of conversation people have, they are

1. Conversations that draw attention to themselves. This is where one person is informing (telling) the other person how smart they are.

2. Conversations where one person is right and the other person is wrong

3. Lastly there is the conversations where we generally don't know about something but have a willingness to learn about the topic being discussed.

If you want your networking to be effective then consider the types of conversations your having with people and whether or not they are improving the relation.

Written by Glenn Kirkwood, inspired by Tim Callcott

The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra - Jimmy Johnson (Football Coach)