Networking for Managers

By Jacqui-Hogan1 Comment
It was not until I left corporate life that I realised why networking was so important. For me, as for many managers, I was just too busy to give it much thought. However, launching myself into the world as a management consultant, I soon realised that ‘who you know’ was not only vitally important to me now, but would have greatly enhanced my career prospects had I done this sooner. Many of us start out being quite good at networking. We know that to get started in our careers, we need to make connections with lots of people. Time passes, our career takes off and we get busy and networking takes second and then third place to the pressures of day-to-day work. Complacency sets in, until we find ourselves being made redundant or languishing in a career backwater. Then we find we are back to stage one of building a network from scratch. How much better would it be, if we...
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Networking tips

By Nigel TempleNo Comments
Business networking works - in terms of creating awareness and customers. However, you have to go about it the right way. Here are some networking tips, which we hope you find helpful. You are in the relationship business. If you focus on building relationships, business will come to you. When you're networking, think about what your contacts want – not just what you want. Some people turn up at networking events and only talk about themselves. They grill each person they talk to, in order to find out whether they are a prospective customer. Unsurprisingly, they soon discover that networking, somewhat strangely, does not work for them. I imagine that they go back to hitting the phones (otherwise known as ‘cold calling’). Do not expect instantaneous results. Take time to learn about other people and build trust. The more you invest in networking - the higher the returns. Networking is now an established part of business life. You can network whilst eating your breakfast...
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Effective online and offline networking

Effective online and offline networking

By Ben Temple2 Comments
By Navigator member Dave Clarke, Managing Director, NRG-Networks You could be forgiven for thinking there was a battle being fought between offline & online networks with some of the messages from organisations in both camps. The reality is that the online networks give us a really effective tool for supporting our offline business networking activities. They only do that, however, if we go about both activities strategically. "I have been an active member of online networks since I discovered them in 2003. Here are my top 10 tips for building business with the effective use of offline & online networks" 1. Get comfortable with how networking works "All things being equal, people will do business with, and refer business to those people they know, like and trust." (Bob Burg). Business Networking is about finding other business people who operate in similar markets to you. Then helping them and building relationships to earn that trust so don’t expect instant results. Like anything worthwhile, networking takes time and application....
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An introduction to Twitter

An introduction to Twitter

By Ben TempleNo Comments
If you haven't already done so, register your name and your company name within Twitter. What is Twitter? It is a 'micro blogging' website. The idea is to answer the question 'What are you doing' in 140 characters or less. Messages can be sent via mobile texting, instant message or the web. Notice that the messages are not delivered by email. They appear online / on your phone etc. Once you have registered, people can choose to 'Follow' you, which simply means that they will receive your messages. How does this help my marketing, then? * It is another way of 'getting the word out' about your enterprise. * Followers can get to know you and what you do. * You can alert your Followers about new articles, blog postings, events etc. * As networkers know, relationships lead to paying customers. Your Twitter profile allows you to put a line or two of information about yourself. For example, 'Small business marketing specialist'. You can let people know whereabouts in the world you...
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