“…creating great relationships is how careers are built, how businesses are built, and how great teams are built…”  – Steve Chandler

Today, I have renewed my love for networking… and renewed my commitment to offering more organic networking opportunities for women in my “neck of the woods”.  So, women of Hampton Roads… the Great Women’s Gathering is BACK… but this time we are doing it Success in the City style.. With the HEAD DIVA at SITC’s blessing, of course.   Stay tuned for more details.

But, while I hate “traditional”, “business card toss” networking events, I truly LOVE growing my own business through more authentic networking.  These “other events” are often annoying and unprofitable… In fact, most people use them as “Drive By” networking… spraying their business cards about without aim, almost without stopping, and certainly without LISTENING.  There is no strategy, no relationship building, nothing truly authentic going on at all…

Before I go on,  I want to reiterate what most of us already accept as true:  Whether we are an executive or entrepreneur, our success is largely (if not entirely) built upon relationships.  I actually think that networking can be our LARGEST fuel for success… if it is done right.  So, how do we get it right?  Here are some quick tips:

• Come as you are… Put your best “foot” forward, of course, but come as YOU… Authenticity is SOOOO lacking in our society, that people are literally- almost magnetically- DRAWN to it.
• Don’t try to SELL anyone.  Get to know people instead.  Listen for ways in which your product or service could be of use to them.  But, be a problem solver, not a “salesperson”.
• Don’t ONLY call people (or email people, or attend networking events) when you NEED or WANT something.  Effective networks and relationships are built consistently, authentically and over time.  There is no short cut, so start now.
• Know what you want…. and what you offer.  Be able to speak clearly and directly about your business, your goals, your ideal client, and HOW you serve them.
• LISTEN more than you TALK.  Go DEEP with people.  Get to know them, their business, their position, their challenges.  Ask questions and create dialogue.  My personal marketing plan can be summed up in one word:  CONVERSATIONS.  The more conversations I create, the more my business grows.  Period. 

I am sure I will post more information about networking for business and career success –  in the next few weeks… But, just in case, make sure you are on my e-zine list to get one of my WOW Factor articles each week.  www.womenwhowow.com

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