Larry James presents networking seminars nationally and offers Networking coaching; one-on-one or for your Networking Group! Invite Larry James to speak to your group! His latest book is, Ten Commitments of Networking: Creative Ways to Maximize Your Personal Connections! Something NEW about Networking is posted on this Networking BLOG every 4th day! Visit Larry’s Networking Website at: “Networking HQ!”
NOTE: All articles and networking tips listed in this BLOG – written by Larry James – are available for reprint in magazines, periodicals, newsletters, newspapers, eZINEs, on the Internet or on your own Website. Click here for details.
Larry James is a Professional Speaker, Author and Coach. He presents networking seminars nationally and “Networking” coaching by telephone or one-on-one. His latest book is, Ten Commitments of Networking: Creative Ways to Maximize Your Personal Connections! Something NEW about Networking is posted on this Networking BLOG every 4th day! Visit Larry’s Networking Website at: “Networking HQ!”
NOTE: All articles and networking tips listed in this BLOG – written by Larry James – are available for reprint in magazines, periodicals, newsletters, newspapers, eZINEs, on the Internet or on your own Website. Click here for details.
Larry James is a Professional Speaker, Author and Coach. Larry James presents networking seminars nationally and offers Networking coaching; one-on-one or for your Networking Group! Invite Larry James to speak to your group! His latest book is, Ten Commitments of Networking: Creative Ways to Maximize Your Personal Connections! Something NEW about Networking is posted on this Networking BLOG every 4th day! Visit Larry’s Networking Website at: “Networking HQ!”
NOTE: All articles and networking tips listed in this BLOG – written by Larry James – are available for reprint in magazines, periodicals, newsletters, newspapers, eZINEs, on the Internet or on your own Website. Click here for details.
Brene Brown studies human connection – our ability to empathize, belong, love. In a poignant, funny talk at TEDxHouston, she shares a deep insight from her research, one that sent her on a personal quest to know herself as well as to understand humanity.
Please take 20 minutes and 20 seconds to click on the link below and watch this incredible video. I’m sure that a few of you will watch the first few minutes and think: “This doesn’t apply to me!” I can assure you that this talk should be seen and heard by everyone – not just those who network!
If you really listen – let the information sink in – it will greatly assist you in your future networking efforts. . . AND with all of your personal and business relationships!
Do your friends a favor – share this video with everyone you know!
Larry James is a Professional Speaker, Author and Coach. Larry James presents networking seminars nationally and offers Networking coaching; one-on-one or for your Networking Group! His latest book is, Ten Commitments of Networking: Creative Ways to Maximize Your Personal Connections! Something NEW about Networking is posted on this Networking BLOG every 4th day! Visit Larry’s Networking Website at: “Networking HQ!”
NOTE: All articles and networking tips listed in this BLOG – written by Larry James – are available for reprint in magazines, periodicals, newsletters, newspapers, eZINEs, on the Internet or on your own Website. Click here for details.
I’m sure that everyone has had that moment when you have to stop and ask yourself:
“Why do I do what I do?”
We ask ourselves things like this when we have moments when we feel frustration, anxiety and __(fill in the blank)__ about our life’s work.
Face it. There are times when a customer or client pushes us to the limit or perhaps our boss is beginining to get on your case. Maybe you are going through a dry spell. Business isn’t quite as good as it was and you begin to question wheither you have been doing everything you can to live up to your responsibilities to your business.
Maybe your relationship at home isn’t working so well. (Perhaps a relationship “tune-up” might help.) Have you ever noticed that your personal realtionships color your business relationships? Novus Card Services (the Discover Card people) hired me several years ago to present two relationship seminars at their regional office in Phoenix designed to help their people have better “personal” relationships at home. Very smart HR leader. The seminars were voluntary and they had record attendance at both seminars.
One of the key elements of successful business networking is to know why you do what you do and what you have to do to get to where you want to go; goal-wise; personally and financially. You must discover the answer to the question before you dive into the deep end of the networking pool. In other words, most activities in networking will most likely not work for you until you get to the real core of the “Why do I do what I do?” issue.
Knowing your purpose is the key! It will help you answer the question: “Why do I do what I do?”
Proceeding with intentionality, discipline and vigor doesn’t work if you don’t know why you are in the line of work you do and don’t really know why you do it.” Setting goals doesn’t work if you don’t know why you do what you do. There is really nothing to zero in on.
Doubt runs rampant. There is really no steam behind what you do. The frequency of your efforts are eratic and unchecked. Nothing seems to be going right. Everyone has business but you.
What gets – and keeps – you going? What’s your carrot? Money alone does not create the sense of fulfillment and accomplishment that many of us are seeking. In answering the questions, I’m looking for answers that tell me that you are passionate about what you do; that you absolutely in love with what you do and what you do helps you demonstrate your feeling of self-worth. If you are not fully committed to your position how can you sell someone else on the possibility of trusting you enough to refer their business leads to you and – later down the line – doing business with you?
Part of your answer should be that you do what you do because of the feeling of growing as an individual or becoming more competent, more efficient and overall a better person. Or maybe it’s the thrill of competition. It should be an intellectual challenge, one that can help you reach a state of independence.
If what you do leaves you feeling unappreciated, unfulfilled and perhaps you’ve even said privately, “I can’t stand this job!” then perhaps it’s time to make some new choices. To not do so will only keep you in the same old rut. The mind is unable to focus on the reverse of an idea.
My suggestion is that until you can honestly answer this question (and others), you may want to consider taking a sabbatical from networking. Can you understand why? If you are not totally sold on what you do, you cannot sell the concept successfully to anyone else. Therefore the success ratio of effective business networking gets flushed down the toilet.
I believe that you must continually inquire of yourself. Ask yourself this question and many others. It will help you stay on track.
A guest at one of my recent weddings told me, “What a beautiful wedding ceremony. . . the best I’ve ever heard. It is very obvious that you love what you do!” He was absolutely right and I was glad he noticed.
When you feel good about yourself (first) and what you do. . . you feel more willing to share what you know with others and in return. . . you earn their respect and trust as you begin to reap the benefits of networking.
NOTE: Worth watching! Simon Sinek has a simple but powerful model for inspirational leadership all starting with a golden circle and the question “Why?” Beginning as a student in anthropology, Simon Sinek turned his fascination with people into a career of convincing people to do what inspires them. Watch his 18 minute video.
NOTE: All articles and networking tips listed in this BLOG – written by Larry James – are available for reprint in magazines, periodicals, newsletters, newspapers, eZINEs, on the Internet or on your own Website. Click here for details.
Celebrate the process of Connecting by Networking!
Dr. Ivan Misner, Founder and Chairman of BNI (Business Network International) speaks about the 5th Annual International Networking Week, which is February 7-11, 2011. It is a week which is centered around helping businesses in every part of the world achieve growth and success through effective networking.
To assist you in celebrating “International Networking Week” scroll though the hundreds of articles I’ve written about business networking.
Larry James is a Professional Speaker, Author and Coach. Larry James presents networking seminars nationally and offers Networking coaching; one-on-one or for your Networking Group! His latest book is, Ten Commitments of Networking: Creative Ways to Maximize Your Personal Connections! Something NEW about Networking is posted on this Networking BLOG every 4th day! Visit Larry’s Networking Website at: “Networking HQ!”
NOTE: All articles and networking tips listed in this BLOG – written by Larry James – are available for reprint in magazines, periodicals, newsletters, newspapers, eZINEs, on the Internet or on your own Website. Click here for details.
Recently, I heard a comment that I’d like to share with you and then address it with my thoughts to see if I can shed some light on the situation. “Gelie, I really don’t like attending the large networking events with too many people because it’s difficult to connect and I’m not sure I’ll be able to network properly.”
Hmmm. . . well here is a question for you. How often do you get out and network? Do you have enough time in the day or month to stay in touch with all those wonderful connections that you have made in the past? If you are a working individual, the answer to this question, generally, is “NO.” You’re busy making money. . . you can’t be having coffee with people all day long, right?
So how do you stay in touch with all your contacts??
One of the best things you can do, and this is what I do, is go to the large events. It is at the large networking events that you are likely to run into people that you know but haven’t seen or spoken in a while. Why is this good? Well…don’t you want them to remember YOU?
Look, we are all human. And as great as you think you are…people will forget about you if you don’t stay on their radar. You have to physically stay in front of people so that they remember who you are and what you can do for them. They’ll be happy to send you referrals. . . if they remember you.
So while large events can be overwhelming – you have to walk in with a strategy and walk out a winner! If you don’t know anyone and are meeting people for the first time, then pick a certain geographical area of the room and stay there. If there are a lot of people, then they will keep moving around and you just have to stay in one spot. This could alleviate your anxiety and create a win for you!
Here is a great quote from Jessica McGee, WriteLogiq, who was an attendee at our recent BIG networking event with 800 guests:
“Congratulations on such a great event last night!!! I know I had a total blast. Amazing how many people I ran into that I already know but it was great to stay fresh in those minds, reconnect with others, and of course gather a slew of new connections!”
Now there is a win! Build your strategy, figure out what you’re going to get out of a big event and then go accomplish it!
Gelie Akhenblit, Founder of NetworkingPhoenix.com, gives some great tips on the following video for people who like to network at large events.
There are a number of reasons why people attend networking events. These include:
• Salespeople looking for new prospects
• Consultants looking for partners on joint projects
• Job seekers looking for job leads
• Entrepreneurs looking for funding sources
Larry James is a Professional Speaker, Author and Coach. Larry James presents networking seminars nationally and offers Networking coaching; one-on-one or for your Networking Group! His latest book is, Ten Commitments of Networking: Creative Ways to Maximize Your Personal Connections! Something NEW about Networking is posted on this Networking BLOG every 4th day! Visit Larry’s Networking Website at: “Networking HQ!”
NOTE: All articles and networking tips listed in this BLOG – written by Larry James – are available for reprint in magazines, periodicals, newsletters, newspapers, eZINEs, on the Internet or on your own Website. Click here for details.
Larry James is a Professional Speaker, Author and Coach. He presents networking seminars nationally and “Networking” coaching by telephone or one-on-one. His latest book is, Ten Commitments of Networking: Creative Ways to Maximize Your Personal Connections! Something NEW about Networking is posted on this Networking BLOG every 4th day! Visit Larry’s Networking Website at: “Networking HQ!”
NOTE: All articles and networking tips listed in this BLOG – written by Larry James – are available for reprint in magazines, periodicals, newsletters, newspapers, eZINEs, on the Internet or on your own Website. Click here for details.
“We tend to minimize what we can accomplish, the goals we can reach, and for some equally strange reason, we believe others can reach heights which we cannot! We tend to overlook the fact that there is enormous undeveloped potential within each of us, a great reserve of talent and ability which we habitually fail to use.” ~ Earl Nightingale
Anyone who wants to achieve success in business networking or anything at all, should hear this.
“Pay it forward. . .” to your friends who may be struggling with their career!
Larry James is a Professional Speaker, Author and Coach. He presents networking seminars nationally and “Networking” coaching by telephone or one-on-one. His latest book is, Ten Commitments of Networking: Creative Ways to Maximize Your Personal Connections! Something NEW about Networking is posted on this Networking BLOG every 4th day! Visit Larry’s Networking Website at: “Networking HQ!”
NOTE: All articles and networking tips listed in this BLOG – written by Larry James – are available for reprint in magazines, periodicals, newsletters, newspapers, eZINEs, on the Internet or on your own Website. Click here for details.
if Bob Proctor was your personaly mentor, he would teach you this #1 lesson that would blow the doors off your income and your business!
Savvy networkers will watch. . . listen. . . and learn!
“No amount of reading and memorizing will make you successful in life. It is the understanding and application of wise thoughts which counts. Understanding and application are the keys that will unlock the doors to a truly abundant life.” ~ Bob Proctor
“The knowledge of image-making eliminates competition from your life by moving you from the competitive plane to the creative plane. In truth, the only competition you will ever have is with your own ignorance.” ~ Bob Proctor
Larry James is a Professional Speaker, Author and Coach. He presents networking seminars nationally and “Networking” coaching by telephone or one-on-one. His latest book is, Ten Commitments of Networking: Creative Ways to Maximize Your Personal Connections! Something NEW about Networking is posted on this Networking BLOG every 4th day! Visit Larry’s Networking Website at: “Networking HQ!”
NOTE: All articles and networking tips listed in this BLOG – written by Larry James – are available for reprint in magazines, periodicals, newsletters, newspapers, eZINEs, on the Internet or on your own Website. Click here for details.
We ask ourselves things like this when we have moments when we feel frustration, anxiety and __(fill in the blank)__ about our life’s work. 
Celebrate the process of Connecting by Networking! 
Recently, I heard a comment that I’d like to share with you and then address it with my thoughts to see if I can shed some light on the situation. “Gelie, I really don’t like attending the large networking events with too many people because it’s difficult to connect and I’m not sure I’ll be able to network properly.” 
