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