Community Question Day 8: How do you maximize your networking?
Ok, so yesterday we talked about reducing costs (and what awesome responses all of you had!) Today I want to ask you all about the flip side of that coin which is how do you maximize your networking time?
There are so many ways to go about this but one strategy that I can think of is to make sure that you have done your research before attending an event.
For example, when I first joined BNI a while back I had no idea what I was getting myself into. As Marvin and a few others established in the first day’s answer, the difference between a novice and an advanced networker, I was shooting from the hip and was just happy to see any results.
As I began to learn about networking though, I began to start researching the BNI groups I would visit before I would come. I’d do this in a very simple way, though. I’d only visit groups to which I already knew someone in the group. Then I’d just ask them, “is there anyone in your group that I should keep an eye out for?”
This strategy works pretty well because any decent BNI chapter will have guests from other BNI chapters at any given week. So when I’d visit a new chapter I knew who to focus my attention on because they’d have been pre-qualified as a potential client/contact by one of their other chapter members 
.
So yesterday was trying to be smarter about spending your money, today I’d like to hear what strategies that you have used to be smarter about your time.
Hit us up in the comments below ^_^.
Join the Revolution!
-Coach Kolansky
Time is that one asset that can never be “recovered”. It has to be managed efficiently. The best method I have used is to utilize a planning calendar that allows me to actually see (visually) how much time I need to travel, attend, and return to my office. It is a work in progress as I am currently using 3 (count ‘em – three) different strategies to accomplish this task. The scheduler that is working most efficiently shows each day of the week starting at 7:00 am and run to 8:00 pm. Each hour is broken into 15 minute increments. This allows me to glance at the scheduler and see how much time I have dedicated each day. Since I am visual, I like to see an entire month “at a glance” but this isn’t effective for planning my daily tasks and meetings. I will remain open to additional ideas.
Part of this comes from finding opportunities where you get more ‘bang for your buck’, where there are more of the people you need to be in front of, present. However, it’s important when you’re establishing connections and relationships that you don’t make the people feel like you’re already mentally moving on to the next person/task/checklist.
Also I agree with Barb; by utilizing our time more effectively, we can get more out of our day. Multi-tasking is ok, as long as we’re able to give each task the needed attention it deserves.
I am with Barb. I, too, would be open to suggestions on managing contacts and referral results. (New question for the group, Dan?!?)Tracking results provides critical information as to the effectiveness of your efforts. It becomes quite a challenge when you are attending several events and time becomes a precious commodity. I think a good manager minute is critical and can be used when you feel the moment is appropriate, even when the opportunity presents itself in say, the grocery store. Networking can happen anywhere, at any time, if your mindset is right! I think one of the first mistakes I made when attending new events or groups, was to hang out with people I knew. It was more comfortable, but the whole reason I went to the event was to meet new people!! Attending events that others I know and trust suggest to me plays a big part in my decision right now. A lot of times, they have identified potentially good contacts for me, and have already determined that there is a new influx of people, instead of the same group of people that we already know. Before I attend these new groups, I try to get some background information so that what I have to say will be of interest to those that I want to meet.
Of course there are many ways to do this. Off of the top of my head I can see a few major areas for profitability:
-brilliantly pick and then recruit the right people to add to your network
-organize then leverage your current networks excellently
-build solid relationships fast
-contribute high amounts of commitment to your networks
-ask only the right questions of your networks
-follow up like a champ always
Oh my God, I just thought up six new seminars! Can any of you help?
-Coach Powell
“Keeping success in focus!”