While I would strongly recommend that everyone has a networking plan and sets regular networking goals (more of that in coming issues), networking is not only about the time you specifically set aside or put in the diary to attend events.
Networking is really nothing more than sharing your own skills, expertise and business (and those of your networking associates) with other people. This can happen at a barbecue with friends, in the queue at a coffee shop or at a formal networking event.
Here, I am going to offer two practical ways that you can integrate networking into your everyday life with amazing results.
1. Business Cards
You should have a supply of business cards everywhere that you might need one. As a woman this involves for me several handbags and the pockets of many jackets as well as the glovebox of the car and my husband’s wallet (!). This may be a simpler task for you business men who may only have to have a supply in one or two jackets and your own wallet.
Every one of us should then also have cards in the car, house, office etc. You must ALWAYS be able to put your hand on a card when required. We all pay good money for our branding and our business image (and if you don’t, watch out, that will also be covered in a further issue!). This means that at any time if you have to resort to a scrap of paper, you have wasted a huge amount of time and effort.
2. Business Introduction
The second vital preparation that you should make is to prepare a 30-90 second introduction to your business. This should give a brief overview of your product or service and the type of people that your business is able to help.
Use the following tool to make this work like a CHARM.
C – Clear and Concise:
Your introduction needs to be delivered swiftly and clearly. You should be able to deliver this while in a lift, waiting for coffee, at a bus stop – the possibilities are endless. If you are then able to converse for longer that is great but this is just the introduction.
H - Humour:
Ask yourself whether you are more likely to remember a joke or a long complicated explanation. Humour does work but be careful not to offend.
If you can use it – DO SO.
A – Attraction:
People do business with those they know, like and trust. What can you include that is going to make you and your product or service attractive? You need to attract people either to Brand You or to the real solution you are able to offer. How much better is it to have people calling you for your business rather than having to call them?
R – Referrals:
As I have mentioned a few times, networking is not about selling to the person in front of you in the first five minutes or else. However, don’t be afraid to talk about the kinds of people you enjoy working with and trigger them to give you referrals. Don’t be afraid to ask.
M – Memorable:
Your introduction must be memorable. Do you have a slogan or catch phrase? All of the big brands do, so what is good enough for them should be good enough for you.
Do you recognise the following?
“Where good times start.”
“I’m loving it.”
“Just Do It.”
If you do then this trick has worked on you.
These are just a couple of tips that I hope you will find useful. There will be more to come but work on these and let me know how you get on. I love success stories! Leave a comment or email me at ruth.thirtle@gmail.com if you try this and it works or if you have any further questions.
Be careful, though, when you really start to integrate networking into your life it is really hard to switch off. And the health warning to that is that your networking partners and contacts will really start to love you, see what they can do to help you and your business might really grow as a result! | 
