Each week I speak with hundreds of business professionals who are "Great Business Networkers". This week I had the great pleasure of talking with Krista and Lance who are both awesome realtors. Both very successful and doing great. As we all know this business can be a challenge in todays times and it was very interesting talking with both of them.
More inventory than people to purchase both said but the bottom line is their habits of business networking. We chatted about social networking and how to use these tools to build the basic relationship of interest. Bottom line creating the "interested party list" it has been stated many many times before the value is in the list. But what you do with the list is mission critical!
So how does one take "the list" and bring it to a close? It is in building the relationship. You still need to meet and greet and nurture the relationship.
Krista attends a informal networking meeting where she meets people of like minds - developing the relationship with these individuals and receiving many referrals as a result. Lance also stated it is still the best to build the relationship by "pressing the flesh" yes the simple handshake and warm welcome puts a face to the voice and name. Trust and credibility are built.
The bottom line to growing your business and sustaining over a period of time is the "relationships" you have built and maintain over the period of time. Twitter is awesome to learn and make connections, Facebook puts a face and the personalization of you but in the end ... it is the handshake and smile that create the bond of trust and loyalty in the relationship that builds your business.
Once again, as I hung up the phone I thought to myself - are we capitalizing on the opportunities of today? How can you position yourself in communicating to others what you are looking for to bring in those leads to make your business grow during a time of challenges. Are we focused and committed enough to help one another succeed? Do you really understand the power of the Art of Networking?
Each week I speak with hundreds of business professionals who are "Great Business Networkers". This week I had the great pleasure of talking with Dave who owns a business and asked him - How is business these days for you? He responded. The Art of Networking more than ever is "key" in making connections that counts. Seems like every time we get ahead a business that we were doing business with goes out of business. In today’s market you must keep bringing in new opportunities to build and replace some of the lost business. Year-to-date we are ahead over 25%.
I asked Dave how are you finding new business with all the "Doom and Gloom" published. He replied there are plenty of opportunities. I belong to an affiliated group that provides me with leads and I can provide them with leads. We are committed to helping one another grow in our businesses and we are succeeding.
The bottom line to our extended conversation is Dave has learned the Art of Networking and how to build his business consistently. He is using the techniques he learned and seeking opportunities in the "Green" movement.
As I hung up the phone I thought to myself - are we capitalizing on the opportunities of today? How can you position yourself in communicating to others what you are looking for to bring in those leads to make your business grow during a time of challenges. Are we focused and committed enough to help one another succeed?
