Networking Skills

This maybe a comparison of apples and oranges -- I don't know JW's definiton of networking and I've already said that in my definition it's the sales model or asking people if they need, want and can afford what you have that works in so called networking situations.

BNI uses "networking" in a uinque situation - likewise, networking as in hanging out with Chanber members at a TGIF is unique - likewise network marketing is uinque - so to say this or that is a far cry misses the point.

What are you trying to say, Houston?

Mike

Actually the topic was about Networking Skills, not about whether networking is a worthwhile pursuit. The only one that addressed the topic was Colleen in her articles. If anybody is not clear on what networking is, I think her articles do a good job of describing the skills, which, in turn, could help form a working defintion.

Kudos to Colleen for the informative and instructional articles.

Originally Posted by MitchM This maybe a comparison of apples and oranges -- I don't know JW's definiton of networking and I've already said that in my definition it's the sales model or asking people if they need, want and can afford what you have that works in so called networking situations. BNI uses "networking" in a uinque situation - likewise, networking as in hanging out with Chanber members at a TGIF is unique - likewise network marketing is uinque - so to say this or that is a far cry misses the point. What are you trying to say, Houston? Mike

I wasn't trying to say anything more than what I posted Mike. Yes, this may be a comparision of apples and oranges.

Some people say that over 80% of ALL jobs are obtained through networking.

Originally Posted by Liberty Some people say that over 80% of ALL jobs are obtained through networking.

That's the kind of networking that I'm talking about. When you recommend a restaurant to a friend you are networking.

When Mitch says he does “Network Marketing,” he is using industry jargon to describe what is primarily face-to-face prospecting and recruiting. Please note that he is one of the exceptional successes in an industry where less than three percent of the “distributors” (more industry jargon) earn more than the legal minimum wage.

If you have been a member of a Networking Group for more than six months, you may have noticed that there is a group of regulars that shows up for most meetings. Then, there are many more who drop out after a few months or seldom show up.

You may have also noticed that those that show up a lot tend to be talkative, assertive and socially adept. They genuinely enjoy Networking.

If you were to ask each member how many hours per year they invest in Networking and how many dollars of income they received for that time, assuming what they tell you is factual, most of them would be earning around the legal minimum wage or less. However, if they just keep on Networking ...

Hope and Optimism are not viable strategies.

You might want to know why I believe all of this. It is because my company has trained hundreds of ex-Networkers to prospect and sell efficiently, effectively and enjoyably. And, they don’t go back to Networking.

No, I do not have valid statistics to back up my belief.
Yes, of course, my opiniom is biased.

Originally Posted by Liberty Some people say that over 80% of ALL jobs are obtained through networking.

I am sure that a high percentage of job are obtained through networking. I doubt that it is actually that high.

If your are a skilled salesperson you should be able to get several good job offers, within a couple of months, using your prospecting and selling skills.

If you can find my web site, there is an article titled "Finding the Sales Job That You Want." It is in the Free Articles section.

Originally Posted by Liberty Some people say that over 80% of ALL jobs are obtained through networking.

I think there is much validity to that. But I don't think that it occurs that often as an act of volition. All of us are in networks of one form or another, often by default. It's part of a cultural structure. That doesn't mean necessarily that those structures are formed by proactively networking.

For instance, there are a lot of stockbrokers that became successful because of their networks derived from family, social status, schooling, and the environment they were born into. That doesn't mean they actively networked. They used what they had, and these networks have a tendency to evolve exponentially.

Ask the experts on the subject and I am confident most of them will agree that "Networking" is about "Mutually Beneficial Relationships".

Research the top business people throughout history and I am confident you will discover that most of them are/were very well "Connected".

If your net isn't working don't blame it on "Networking".

Originally Posted by BossMan I'd be interested in learning more about Networking skills. Does anyone have any advice on the subject or know of any articles I could read?

I would recommend reading "Networking Magic" by Rick Frishman and Jill Lubin.