by Steve BookBinder, CEO, Digital Media Training
You have probably heard the phrase, “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” but in today’s business world it’s all about balancing your work, your knowledge and your business contacts. But how do we know if we have the right balance? There are 4 tips you should consider: meet the maximum number of people, get involved, spend time to get to know the right people and suggest business deals.
1. Meet the Maximum Number of People
Most people don’t have the right balance between work and networking. Two things could happen. They’re either under-networking or they’re spending so much time networking that they don’t have time for their real jobs. If you’re under-networking, when you finally connect with a relevant professional colleague, you will see the true value of networking. On the other hand, if you’re spending so much time networking that you don’t have time for your real job, you need to find the right balance. This balance includes meeting the most people in terms of sheer numbers. To do this, try to get involved in the right kind of groups and activities, which will lead you to more people to meet.
2. Get Involved
Rather than simply being a so-called card carrying member of a group, consider being actively involved. If you actually “rub elbows” with someone in a group or during an activity that you’re both involved with, then you’ll get to interact with this person on a quasi-business social level. This type of interaction and environment will give you a different insight into the type of person you’re dealing with. But remember, they will also be getting insight into you, so make sure you do a great job.
3. Spend Time Getting to Know the Right People
What I mean by spending time to get to know the right people is that it is absolutely worth having an early breakfast meeting, late dinner meeting or meeting on the weekend if it involves getting to know people who can ultimately help you in a beneficial way for both parties. You might be giving them leads or they’re giving you leads and you’re working together in some way that’s beneficial to both of you. But remember, if you’re spending a lot of time with people who aren’t relevant within your business or don’t see a potential for opportunity, consider rethinking the way that you’re spending your time.
4. Suggest Business Deals
Often times, we expect the other party to suggest a plan of action as to how we can work together. But consider your business offer from their point-of-view. We are the experts in what we do and they are the experts in what they do. They might make a suggestion that’s not quite feasible on our end, but then we can make a counter-suggestion that may not have occurred to them. From this, you could get a real reaction that will help you determine, very quickly, if in fact there is a potential business future between the two of you.
So the next time you hear, “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” remember these 4 networking tips to stay balanced: meet the maximum number of people, get involved, spend time to get to know the right people and suggest business deals.
