Networking Skills

Hi Houston - I know what you're saying - I've read dozens of networking, prospecting, marketing definitions - so what to do?

MitchM

Sales is a "communication" business people.

Originally Posted by MitchM Hi Houston - I know what you're saying - I've read dozens of networking, prospecting, marketing definitions - so what to do? MitchM

Get agreement on the meaning of words being used in the conversation. To continue to talk about "orange" as if it were "red" in a conversation about "red" is less than desirable.

You're right, Houston - forum posts and emails are the worse ways to get that agreement which is why I continually instruct our network of distributors to get on the phone and talk, clarify, listen and probe and clarify more.

What I've found on these forums are lots of people with agendas they either want to forward or dispositions that are less inclined toward agreement in terms and more inclined toward proving a point, one upping someone, and disparaging others for the sake of their argument.

Forums are funny places.

MitchM

Word-only communications like forum posts and emails are easy to misconstrue.

Very easy to misconstrue. Also, I've found many people who love a heated debate or argumentative conversation - once upon a time I enjoyed that but not today - no time for that.

I'm not looking for agreement but a conversation that is moving toward clarity and mutuality void of the "heated debate" or argumentative elements is what I have time for today.

The best to you, Houston.

MitchM

Originally Posted by MitchM I'm not looking for agreement but a conversation that is moving toward clarity and mutuality void of the "heated debate" or argumentative elements is what I have time for today. The best to you, Houston.

I'm in the same boat. The best to you Mike.

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?

"Endless Referrals: Network Your Everyday Contacts Into Sales" by Bob Burg is recommended reading.

I've spoken with Bob recently and he has agreed to let us post a few of his articles on the topic. When Bob's articles become available they will be posted in Networking/ Refferals/ WOM.

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?

Someone recently posted a couple of links to business networking organizations and I investigated these links. Ultimately, I called the regional representative of one of these organizations and had a lengthy discussion with him about the value of his organization to my business. He offered me one gem of networking that I will share with you.

Networking is a trust relationship and trust builds with consistent cultivation over time. This organization requires weekly attendance at its meetings and members can be dropped for failing to maintain required attendance. They believe that in order for networking to work, they must meet their network members regularly and this particular organization maintains its strong record in this field by establishing this requirement in organizational policy.