| If you are determined to crack the networking code | | | | 9. College Associations |
| and build priceless business relationships it is important | | | | 10. Referral / Leads Groups |
| to research the various networking options and | | | | 11. Kiwanis, Rotary, Lions, Elks, Moose(I know there is |
| commit to a networking strategy. Get out and about | | | | an animal joke in there somewhere.) |
| and reach out. Be proactive. Open relationships | | | | One of the best ways to really get your networking |
| everywhere. On Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. On | | | | into high gear and gain visibility and develop |
| Golden Pond and even on the Bridge on the River | | | | relationships is to...Volunteer. Be sure to look for |
| Kwai. (Sorry, I got carried away and my movie | | | | volunteer jobs that will provide you opportunities to |
| references got a tad silly.) Anyway, you get the point. | | | | show off your skills & personality, and meet and |
| To make connecting easier and more focused, look | | | | interact with new contacts. |
| for groups and events where networking is | | | | Volunteer to: |
| encouraged. People expect to exchange cards and | | | | 1. Serve on committees for your professional |
| meet new people at these types of gatherings, so go | | | | association. You can help shape the association's |
| expecting to make some contacts. It is best not to | | | | policy, as well as work closely with and learn from |
| consider joining any business organizations unless you | | | | other experts. |
| are committed to being an active member for at least | | | | 2. Chair a committee or run for office at your local |
| one year. This stuff takes time. | | | | Chamber of Commerce. Let people experience your |
| Too many people go to business networking events | | | | leadership, communication, and organizational skills in |
| with the wrong focus and try to force their service | | | | action. |
| down your throat. If you are not on the top of your | | | | 3. Work the reception desk at the trade organization |
| game, you will end up stoically listening to a bunch of | | | | of your best customer. You will meet people as they |
| pitches instead of getting the person to have a real | | | | sign in. |
| conversation. Also, it is possible to spend a bunch of | | | | 4. Help direct people to the right rooms at State and |
| dinero on joining networking groups, so consider your | | | | National Trade Shows, Conventions, and Conferences |
| affiliations carefully. Call and ask if you can attend as a | | | | (often called being a people mover). |
| visitor. Most allow at least one free visit. | | | | 5. Be a greeter at a leads/referral group meeting. The |
| Again, you can network everywhere and anywhere. | | | | greeter spot is ideal for the self-diagnosed |
| Heck, start your own networking group. There are | | | | shy,because the title alone forces you to connect. Plus, |
| plenty of places that offer networking possibilities. | | | | as a greeter there is an automatic assumption that |
| What follows is by no means a complete list, but these | | | | you are "in the know" and others will naturally come to |
| suggestions can lead to some great opportunities (for | | | | you for info and help. |
| more suggestions and specific tips relating to this list, | | | | 6. Join the board of your favorite charity. You will likely |
| check out pages 67 thru 72 of Cracking the | | | | connect with key industry leaders and gain a |
| Networking CODE: 4 Steps to Priceless Business | | | | reputation as a leader yourself. |
| Relationships). | | | | Crack the Networking CODE. |
| Eleven Proven Places to Network: | | | | Be Progress (TM). |
| 1. Organizations to Which You Already Belong | | | | Recognized as a 'Sales-and-networking guru' by the |
| (Homeowner's Association, office parties, Sunday | | | | Dallas Business Journal, Dean Lindsay is the founder of |
| School Class, PTA, etc.) | | | | The Progress Agents LLC ( - a seminar company |
| 2. Professional Trade Associations | | | | dedicated to empowering progress in sales, service, |
| 3. State and National Trade Shows, Conventions,and | | | | and workplace performance. |
| Conferences | | | | Dean's best selling book Cracking the Networking |
| 4. Trade Organizations of Your Best Customers | | | | CODE: 4 Steps to Priceless Business Relationships |
| If the fine people who already use your services | | | | has been endorsed by a who's who of business |
| belong to these organizations, would it not be safe to | | | | leaders and performance experts including Ken |
| assume that other members might want to use your | | | | Blanchard - author of The One Minute Manager, Brian |
| services as well? | | | | Tracy and Frank Bracken, the President and COO of |
| See if you can present a breakout session or seminar | | | | Haggar Clothing Co. |
| on something related to your work. | | | | Jay Conrad Levinson - the author of Guerrilla |
| 5. Chamber of Commerce | | | | Marketing, thought so much of Cracking the |
| 6. Golf/ Sports | | | | Networking CODE that he wrote the book's foreword. |
| 7. Spiritual Organizations | | | | A cum laude graduate of the University of North |
| I am NOT suggesting that you join a church or | | | | Texas, Dean presently serves on the Executive |
| synagogue only for the business opportunities. But let's | | | | Advisory Board for UNT's Department of Marketing |
| face it - many solid business relationships are forged in | | | | and Logistics. The Dallas Business Journal selected Mr. |
| the pews and folding chairs of spiritual organizations. | | | | Lindsay as one of D-FW's Rising Stars Under Forty in |
| Go for the right reasons and let your light shine. Hide it | | | | The Business World Today in their yearly Forty Under |
| under a bushel? No. You've got to let it shine. | | | | 40 list. |
| 8. Workshops, Classes, and Seminars | | | | |