|
Author: Scott Ginsberg Article source: http://www.businessknowhow.com/. Used with author's permission.
"Fear not to entertain strangers for by so doing some have entertained angels unaware."
This quotation is from the book of Hebrews, which means it probably has nothing to do with networking.
Or does it?
Networking is the process of sharing knowledge, helping others, and developing mutually beneficial relationships. Serendipity is the lucky tendency to find interesting or valuable things by chance. Mix the two forces, and you've got a sure-fire formula to boost your business.
Now, I understand the Catch-22: if it's serendipity, how can you plan it? Well, you're right - you can't. But you can do a few things to be more aware of it and prepare yourself to leverage it.
What is Serendipity Networking?
First and foremost, serendipity networking is unexpected. You never know whom you're going to meet! So don't discount the power of each person to affect your business or even your life. For example, the birth of my career was a direct result of the "Start Conversations with Random People on the Bus Who Happen to Know the Editor of a Major Newspaper Theory." Works every time!
Secondly, being at the right place at the right time is good; but being at the wrong place at the wrong time can be better. I once attended a small group discussion under the impression that the speaker was a certain author, only to realize I had read the flyer incorrectly - the author wasn't coming at all. When I learned who the actual facilitator was, I was initially disappointed. I then realized how much she and I had in common, and now I'm happy to say we're great friends and colleagues who share information and ideas on a frequent basis!
Next, serendipity networking is powerful. I mean REALLY powerful. How many times have you met a valuable contact and said, "Wow! The planets must have been aligned tonight!" "The Gods have smiled down upon me!" or "What are the odds of meeting someone as perfect as her?"
World renowned speaker, author, and my friend Carol Weisman experienced the power of serendipity networking years ago. She was giving a speech at a conference that unfortunately conflicted with a concurrent session by Dr. Steven Covey. Obviously, attendance was low, but Carol didn't care. She did her absolute best and blew the audience away - all six of them. At the end of her speech she announced, "And now, I'm going to do something that Steven Covey would NEVER do - I'm going to take my entire audience out to lunch!"
Little did she know that a member of her audience worked for PBS. Five seasons of a hit program and a Telle Award later, Carol understood the power of serendipity networking.
Warning Signs That Networking is in the Air
Do you see the same person time and time again at similar meetings and events? Great! You are experiencing "Networking Dejavu," and it's not an accident. This is a person with whom you obviously share common interests. So go talk to him! There's a good chance you can help each other.
Have you ever walked away from a coffee shop, bar, store, gym, church, mailbox, park, train, street corner, or bus and said to yourself, "Thank God I had one of my business cards with me today!" What a great feeling! Remember, chance encounters like these may be more valuable than you think.
Did you recently have a business conversation that contained the words, "A friend of a friend," or, "I don't know how I ended up at your website, but…"? Perfect. Localize this connection; then generate mutually valuable information and CPI's (Common Points of Interest).
A person called, emailed, wrote, or contacted you because "something made her think of you." This should set off an alarm. Discover what associations were made so you can learn how to recreate that tipping point in the future.
7 Serendipity Networking Tips
1. Talk to everybody. We are conditioned not to talk to strangers, but some people enter our lives and change them forever.
2. Be nice and help people. Reciprocity is an inherent human need. Go out of your way to extend kindness, friendliness, and assistance to everyone - they are likely to pay you back. Possibly by giving you millions of dollars.
3. Keep a list of your "People Collection." (In an non-crawl-space-under-the-deck kind of way) Whether you use a journal, database software, or bar napkins, make sure you write down the names of every person you meet - not just business contacts. You never know when, 6 months down the road, an idea will pop into your head and you'll need to call someone.
4. Get out there. Make a weekly/monthly networking plan. Serendipity networking has a lot to do with being at the right place at the right time. And although you can't create serendipity, you can certainly put yourself in a position to grab it when it crosses your path.
5. Always have business cards. Always. Most of your networking won't occur between Monday and Friday from 9-5. So remove the following phrase from your vocabulary: "I don't have any of my business cards with me right now." No excuses. Unexpected conversations are the stuff serendipity networking is made of.
6. Always have something free to give away. People like free stuff. They also like to show it to other people.
7. Wear your nametag. A person's name is the single context of human memory most apt to be forgotten. So, at a meeting or event when you're given the chance to remind someone who you are - do it. They'll thank you by approaching you. And possibly by giving you millions of dollars.
Luck is Not a Word
For effective serendipity networking, remember the three L's: Listen, Localize, and Leverage.
Listen: the most important communication tools you own are your ears. Keep them open for iceberg statements - key phrases under which 90% of the remaining important information awaits.
Localize: If you've ever been stricken with food poisoning, the first thing you always do - after chugging the bottle of Pepto - is localize your sickness. Serendipity networking is the same way. Retrace your steps and discover where the rock created the ripple.
Leverage: After you've identified which person, event, situation, letter, gossip, or bathroom stall writing was responsible for the spark and development of a mutually valuable relationship - make a mental note. Hell, make a post-it note! Do anything that will remind you of the chain of valuable events so in the future you can put yourself in a position where it is likely to happen again.
Serendipity networking takes time. As the definition says, it means a lucky tendency to find interesting or valuable things by chance. Now, you can't make it happen. But you CAN make yourself more aware of the warning signs and more accessible to that which fortuitously affects you. And even if you really DO think it's all about luck, remember: L.U.C.K is an acronym for Laboring Under Correct Knowledge. © 2005 All Rights Reserved.
Scott Ginsberg is a professional speaker, "The World's Foremost Expert on Nametags" and the author of HELLO my name is Scott and The Power of Approachability. He helps people MAXIMIZE their approachability and become UNFORGETTABLE communicators - one conversation at a time. For more information contact Front Porch Productions at http://www.hellomynameisscott.com.
7 Tips for Choosing the Right Blog Software for Your New Blog
7 Tips for Choosing the Right Blog Software for Your New Blog - How to Pick the Best Weblog Communication Tool for Your Blog
The U.S. Department of Justice vs. the Realty Industry, and Its Effect on Consumers
From the National Association of Realtors' Virtual Office Website policy, to laws and regulations in individual states across the country, the U.S. Department o...
Tips On New York Mortgage Refinance Loan
Offers tips and advice to refinance mortgage loan in New York. Fill out simple loan application form to get the lowest refinancing rates.
5 Critical Mistakes Most Freelance Copywriters Make
All successful marketers know the sale comes from the words or the copy. Anytime you want to give yourself a pay raise, just tweak the copy.
Dog Training - How to Train Your Dog Effectively
Can you train an older dog, or are puppies the only ones who can be effectively trained?
Six Essential Skills to Business Success!
The following are six essential skills to business success.
The Discipline of Self-Discipline
Remember this absolute rule of discipline; "If you don't discipline
yourself, you are sure to be disciplined by others". Don't believe
me, huh? Chew on this, ru...
Hypothyroidism – What Your Doctor May Not Yell You But You Need To Know
Millions of Women are suffering needlessly because of undiagnosed or inadequate treatment for hypothyroid disease. The ideas and suggestions contained in this ...
Dont Just GET THE DEED - The Infamous Kitchen Table Closing
what you're describing is a little risky, yet it's done pretty often. It's a VERY good idea to get title exam run first, before doing a "kitchen table closing" ...
Joint Venture Marketing: What and Why
What is joint venture marketing and why would you want to
use it is what Catherine Franz discusses in her latest
article. She also provides 50 ideas on how you...
Attitude Adjustment 101: Nine Ways to Transform You From Mediocre to Magnificent
"Work on your career and you'll make a living. Work on yourself and you'll make a fortune." - Jim Rohn Regardless of the number of college credits or degrees y...
Top 10 Little Used SEO Strategies
There are millions of web sites trying to get listed in the top 20 to 30 spots on the major search engines. That's a lot of competition! So if you're having a h...
Is There Such A Thing As LAZY Way To TRAFFIC?
Nowadays there are just too many people trying to give you something of a less (or no) value at a very high price. Why do you buy it? Why do they do it? Will th...
The Skinny on Salt
Learn about the history of salt and how it impacts the body and overall health.
Top Ten Excuse-busters for Taking Exercise
Do you come out with a lot of excuses when it's time to get moving? Are you always putting off going to the gym until tomorrow? Do you really want to exercise b...
Sales Marketing: 10 Tips On How To Promote Yourself And Generate Sales
A lot of people are insecure about buying something
or doing business with strangers.
How To: Self-Hypnosis
Self-hypnosis is a wonderful way to bring about change in your own life. Here is a simple easy to follow set of instructions for achieving this.
At Your Service: The Ten Commandments of Great Customer Service!
Customer service is an integral part of our job and should not be seen as an extension of it. A company's most vital asset is its customers. Without them, we wo...
Online Marketing Secrets & Marketing Strategy For An Succesful Web Site
Starts when A web site is being planned... And is not what many think: just banner advertisement and search engine optimization, Adwords at Google or Pay per cl...
Our Pets Behavior
Find out some reasons why your dog or cat may be misbehaving, and what you can do about it as an owner.
Acne Treatment: 7 Things You Must Know!
Why do we suffer from acne? Is there any effective acne treatment? This article talks concisely about the 7 possible causes and factors that are preventing you ...
Are You Eking Out a Living, and Cant Get What You Want from a Job?
Staying in a job you don't like, it can be done.
Goals are great!
Dangerous Relationship?
Why is it so hard to live with these people? What are the warning signals? What is there to do?
Improve Your Golf Game Using the Unlimited Power of Your Imagination
This article focuses on using the Power of Imagination to improve all aspects of your golf game. Learn to use this technique to your advantage from this inspir...
|
Print this page