Join a Chamber of Commerce

Tip 26 - Join a Chamber of Commerce
(from the book 29% Solution by Dr Ivan Misner and Michelle Donovan)

Network in the right places!

Professional associations exist whose sole purpose is to support the members of a particular profession with opportunities for continuing education, networking, recognition, research, credentialing, publications, and other services. Your local chamber of commerce is another organisation to consider. It provides opportunities to give back to the community and capitalise on significant member benefits.

Action Step
We started off this week's strategy by advising you (with apologies to Andrew Carnegie) to diversify your eggs into more than one type of networking basket. Your task this week is to investigate your local chamber of commerce. Find out where the office is and request membership information. Ask for the names of members you can contact. Attend an event or two to see whether the membership is a good fit for you; for a small fee, you can probably visit a chamber mixer. Take your time, do your homework, and locate a chamber that will adequately meet your needs - and the needs of your business. Pick an active chamber that knows how to hold networking events and has strong membership. Membership is not free, but it's far less expensive than traditional advertising.

Quote - A person's worth in this world is estimated according to the value they put on themselves." - French Writer, Jean De La Bruyere

Your action for today is to identify what personality trait you value most about yourself.

Thanks to everyone who referred me as a speaker. I'm now speaking on
- 7th 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

"ON" 24/7

Tip 21 - "ON" 24/7
(from the book 29% Solution by Dr Ivan Misner and Michelle Donovan)

You never know when someone standing beside you might be connected to a huge opportunity. If you understand networking to be the process one uses to develop relationships and build social capital, then it makes sense that you should network everywhere. The key is to tailor your networking strategies so that you fit in - without being tuned out. If you're truly living the mantra "Givers Gain," you'll come across very positively.

"If you want your children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders." - Columnist, Abigail van Buren

Your action for today is to evaluate how well you are meeting the responsibilities you have either at work or in your personal life

Thanks, everyone who referred me as a speaker, I am now appearing
- 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

Tips to Become Magnetic

Tip 14 - Tips to Become Magnetic*
borrowed (& modified) from Scott Ginsberg author of The Power of Approachability

1. Be Ready to Engage,
2. Focus on Common Points of Interest,
3. Give Flavored Answers,
4. Don't Cross Your Arms at Networking Events,
5. Give options for Communication,
6. Always Have Business Cards,
7. Conquer Your Fear (the #1 reason people don't start conversations!),
8. Wear Your Name Tag.

"Argue for your limitations and sure enough they're yours." - Author, Richard Bach

Your action for today is to see if you there is a limitation you think you have and question its basis.

Good referral for me would be a Chamber of Commerce looking for a speaker to help their membership growth and improve retention.

Talk to Your Family

Tip 11 - Talk to Your Family

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

They understand the core of who we are & what life dealt us to create who we are today. They support our endeavors & celebrate our success. They're often our biggest fans. So why don't we leverage our biggest fans to help network our business? Help your family members with the resources in your network: it not only makes you feel good, but helps to establish you as the "go-to" person in the family whenever there's a need.

"There aren't any rules to success that will work unless you do." - Unknown

Your action for today is to put in a little extra effort in an area where you would like to enjoy more success.

Good referral for me would be a Chamber of Commerce looking for a speaker to help their membership grow and improve retention

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.

Master the Top 10 Traits of a Master Networker

Tip 7 - Master the Top 10 Traits of a Master Networker

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

1. Timely follow-up on referrals,
2. Positive attitude,
3. Enthusiasm/motivation,
4. Trustworthiness,
5. Good listening skills,
6. Commitment to networking 24/7,
7. Gratitude,
8. Helpfulness,
9. Sincerity,
10. Dedicated to working one's network

"A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes." - Broadcaster & Television Producer, Hugh Downs
Your action for today is to focus on maintaining a happy attitude for the whole day.

Who should you share information with?

This week, I want to share with you a very special and easy tip that has made the MOST impact to my NETWORKING when it comes to growing business relationships.

Next time your reading an interesting article, receive an informative newsletter or see something on line that grabs your attention - ask yourself these questions

- Who can I share this information with?
- Who do I know that would benefit or find the article valuable?
- Who's target market is this aim at?

My business coach Tim Callcott has been doing this for as long as I have known him, no wonder we have grown a strong relationship.

You see, not only are you sharing relevant information with them, you are also letting that person know that you are thinking of them and their business. This is where real relationship are formed - when you know how much they care about your success.

Think You Know Your Business - Click Here

"Ability is what you're capable of, motivation determines what you do, attitude determines how well you do it." - Football Coach, Lou Holtz

Your action for today is to bring the best attitude to your activities today regardless of how you feel.

Help You TEAM find you Referrals

If you want to get more referrals from people in your network, you have to be able to make it easy for them to find and give those referrals to you. They want to help you, but most will not step out of their comfort zone to make it happen,

Here are 5 things to help you start the process of making it easy;

1. What should they listen out for? When your around people you will hear them complaining or sharing some news. Each of these conversations is an opportunity to develop referrals. What complaint will people hear for you?

2. What visual clue? might we see that would lead us to recommend or refer you? Such as someone who's car has a dent in it and you are an auto body shop owner.

3. Your target market Are there things that I might see that would help me recognize someone as your target market? Example: A motor cycle or boat in a drive way for the insurance agent.

4. What kind of things might be happening that would lead me to believe that someone is in the market for your services? A child being born, and child going to college, or a new business that just opened?

5. Is there an activity that you clients often engage in? Such as running in mini-marathons, jogging, bike riding, working out, skiing, or any number of activities that would help me identify our clients?

The more you can paint a picture for your network members the easier it is going to be for them to help you. Unfortunately, this means that you have to give some thought to what and who you are looking for as clients. Anybody or everybody will not be as effective. Profile you clients and teach your network members how to spot the clues.

"LET ME SUGGEST THIS... Once a month, read one biography, company profile or case study about successful inventors and entrepreneurs. Take notes from the masters. Email me your list of three lessons learned from each and I'll use them in an upcoming article or blog!

The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one often comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won't." - 19th Century Cleric, Henry Ward Beecher

Your action for today is to reflect on whether you have a tendency to be persevering or obstinate.

Relationships and the Dalai Lama

Relationships move both our lives and our businesses forward, closer to our goals. The Dalai Lama put it this way

We human beings are social beings. We come into the world as a result of others' actions. We survive here in dependence on others. Whether we like it or not, there is hardly a moment of our lives when we do not benefit from others' activities. For this reason, it is hardly surprising that most of our happiness arises in the context of relationships with others.

"People seldom improve when they have no other model but themselves to copy after." - Writer and Poet, Oliver Goldsmith

Your action for today is to pick someone who has traits you admire and respect, and try to incorporate something they do in your actions.

How important is having a positive attitude to achieve success?

Thanks to everyone who sent an email regarding last weeks 3Gw. Your comments inspire me to strive for excellence, which made me think, How important is having a positive attitude to achieve success?

Well in the words of Jeffrey Gitomer

ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING -- and --
ATTITUDE IS THE FOUNDATION FOR EVERYTHING

It ain't the rain, the snow, the boss, the competition, the spouse, the money, the car, the job,or the kids - it's You and it always has been.

You see you already know the UNIVERSAL TRUTH OF CONNECTING because your mother taught you everything you need to know about connecting before you were 10 years old:

Make friends, play nice, tell the truth, take a bath, do your homework.-- Jeffrey Gitomer

"Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned." - Clergyman, Peter Marshall

Your action for today is to do something that helps the environment such as using less water or bringing your own mug to Starbucks for your coffee.

Why & How you can use "Twitter" to promote your business

I would like to thank Tim Callcott (Icon Business Consultant) for sharing the best article I have read about Twitter- What is it and how you can use it to promote you and your business. Simply click the below link you will see what I mean. It is a short and simple article to read - No geek stuff.

I started using Twitter straight after reading the article. The best part was that I knew what I was trying to achieve and why. I trust you enjoy the article as much as I did. "Twitter".

If you have not consciously made the decision to be rich, excellent and healthy, then you have unconsciously made the decision to be poor, mediocre and unhealthy - Author, Wallace D. Wattles

Your action for today is to consciously do something extratowards obtaining one of the qualities you desire in yourlife.

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)