What does "Networking" mean to you?

When "networking" comes up in conversation some people think about networking events and lead clubs. What does "Networking" mean to you? -Liberty

Networking - building a referral network. -AZBroker

Establishing an ever-enlarging circle of friends, colleagues, associates, vendors, and customers from whom to seek business leads, friendship, advice, and offer expertise.

The best to you! -Skip Anderson

Bullseye! msnwnk; -AZBroker

It's ironic that I'm in network marketing yet "establishing an ever-enlarging circle of friends, colleagues, associates, vendors, and customers from whom to seek business leads, friendship, advice, and offer expertise" as a business tactic is where I find my greatest success. It's actually where I find my least success and greatest distractions.

I'm not speaking of the friendships I've made and the referrals, etc. that have come my way via the distribution network I've helped create. I'm speaking of "networking" as a tactic to increase sales.

Recently I've had conversations with a couple of acquaintences who have in the past few years gone into and out of a couple of different sales situations. Most of their talk had to do with what I just cut and pasted from above - they join the Chamber, attend after hours, join the country club, fill up a lot of evening time with all kinds of events and social/community help activities AND YET have a very difficult time making a living.

Using networking as a tactic to increase sales seems to be a common practice yet my observation is that it's not the best use of time nor does it provide most people who do it a five or six or high six figure income.

My greatest personal success has come from making an offer over and over again and moving on when the answer is NO. With call backs come some additional sales. Also, I have a lot more free time - time for myself.

BUT hey, if someone just loves networking as defined above for the social adventure that's another story.

MitchM -MitchM

MitchM, that is a remarkable, and almost profound post. I am not referring to your viewpoint, although I share it. It is your insight, which I envy. None of us can live "on an island" and expect to succeed in sales, but I believe nourishing relationships happen more frequently in business to those who don't construct tactics or campaigns to develop them. -Joe Closer

"but I believe nourishing relationships happen more frequently in business to those who don't construct tactics or campaigns to develop them." -- Joe Closer

I like that. When a long time buddy and I got together six years ago - we hadn't seen each other since 1970 - I knew I'd be telling him about what I do and that if he wanted to either buy our products or start a business with our company I'd work with him - that's what I do.

AND when I found out how to get in touch through a student I had at the time - I was teaching high school - I knew there was more than friendship and catching up to us meeting. If what I had to offer was something he wanted we'd have a match.

Some will call this meeting a tactic - I respectfully don't. We didn't talk about what I do until our second meeting - they we did. Today Jerry and I are best friends again and business partners.

Many people would disagree with us on this, Joe, that the campaigns and tactics are important to business success - maybe definitions differ.

When I've gone to Chamber mixers - the last one I attended a month ago offered a great buffet, local beer and wine and an aikido presentation - no charge to get in - so I went for the freebies AND maybe making one good contact for my business interests.

I remember being in one of those pick-up bars decades ago, where everyone's eyes are darting about when when you try to carry on a conversation, where conversation is superficial and a cover up for the main reason people are there - to get picked up.

That's what the chamber event was all about maybe with the exception of friends who met there. BUT the ribs and shrimp and mini pork sandwiches and wine and topping covered ice cream AND aikido demonstration were excellent - well worth the price of administration.

If I could have done one thing I would have loosened the ties on all the guys and panty hose on all the women - everything was just too bound up for my taste except the food!

MitchM -MitchM

I share this viewpoint.

When I ask a client for a referral I often ask for an introduction to a specific person that I believe this person could provide. That is an example of networking to me.

When I attend conferences and meet other industry participants through introduction or on my own volition that is an example of networking to me.

There are other examples but these should paint the picture. -SpeedRacer

Many people appear to do well working like that.

MitchM -MitchM

Networking

And work is not a bad thing, but people forget
to be successful at networking, you must work.

Effective Networking Tips

1. Set a goal - How many people in how much time
do you want to meet? 10 people in 20 minutes? What's
your goal for the event??

2. Match people together. Use the '3-M approach.
Meet others, Make conversation, Match them with
others in the room. (This allows you to accomplish
#1 above).

3. Take notes. Right on the back of their business
card they give you, that's where you place your notes.

4. Follow-up. Get organized with the names and
business cards you just collected. Within 48 hrs.,
make contact. Suggest a breakfast meeting
to get further acquainted.

Hint: People rarely break breakfast appointments.

Lunch and dinner? --> They'll reschedule
on you, all-day-long. First thing: breakfast meeting,
even for coffee? Always the best!

Good luck! -MaxReferrals

What kind of tactics or campaigns Joe? -Jolly Roger

Anyone else care to share what "networking" means to them? -Liberty

I'll provide an example of each.

Campaign Example: Providing membership opportunites to sales employees in networking groups, ie. Chamber of Commerce, trade associations, etc.

Tactic Example: Use of an "elevator speech" to various contacts made through such groups. -Joe Closer

Whoops, JR, the preceding contributor gave some examples also. #1 is an example of campaign. #2, #3, and #4 are tactical.

Here is what was posted:

1. Set a goal - How many people in how much time
do you want to meet? 10 people in 20 minutes? What's
your goal for the event??

2. Match people together. Use the '3-M approach.
Meet others, Make conversation, Match them with
others in the room. (This allows you to accomplish
#1 above).

3. Take notes. Right on the back of their business
card they give you, that's where you place your notes.

4. Follow-up. Get organized with the names and
business cards you just collected. Within 48 hrs.,
make contact. Suggest a breakfast meeting
to get further acquainted.
-Joe Closer

Keith Rosen (The Executive Sales Coach) defined it this way and I agree: "Networking is the act of meeting new people, often in a social setting with the intention of interacting with them, exchanging ideas, and developing mutually rewarding relationships that would ultimately lead to creating new selling opportunities which would bring in additional business." -Mikey

Network, network, network! Get into whatever groups are appropriate so people get to know you. Consider offering the groups coupons for a free or discounted service that the groups can give away as raffles. -Team Building FL