Thanks to social media there is now a plethora of ways to find, follow, and communicate with others. As a result it has now become easier than ever to connect with others.  The question though is how much of a connection are you really making?  No matter how convenient this form of connecting with others is, it will never replace the benefits of face to face interactions. I find it quite amazing that the more efficient and fast paced our society becomes, the more apparent the need for human interaction is. 

One of the best ways to connect with another person is to find some sort of commonality.  This is especially true when you are meeting someone either for the first time or a relationship that you are trying to nurture and grow.  In order to find this commonality you need to do your homework. Yes I know, most of you will tell me you are too busy to fit one more thing into your schedule.   I would challenge you to re-think what is truly important to your success.  Are you connected to those who can you can help become more successful and those who can help you become more successful? A wise person once said there are only a dozen or two relationships that will take you to any level of success you desire. 

The internet is a great source to help you do your homework prior to making a connection with someone for the first time or to help cultivate an existing relationship:

1.  Google their name
          a.  Do they have a personal web site or blog? This is a great way to find out what their 
                passions and interests are.
          b   Are they on Twitter or Facebook? Find out if you share any connections

 2.  Linkedin
          a.  Check their work history to see what other companies they work out
          b.  Check to see what groups they belong to and then join those groups

3.  Utilize your current network to see if you have any mutual connections. You will find out how
      small a world it truly is!

4.  Perform industry research on the person’s company. What are the current trends and
      challenges in their industry? What are their competitors doing?  Here are a few websites
      where you can located industry info:
          a.  http://zibb.com/
          b.  http://www.bizstats.com/
          c.  http://seekingalpha.com/
          d.  http://finance.yahoo.com/

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In today’s ultra fast paced society it can seem like a real challenge to stay connected with others. Networking in business is such a valuable, proven tool that it is a shame that many people feel they don’t have the time to network. However, social media sites such as Facebook and Linkedin are tools that offer great ways for staying in touch with others.  If you think social media is all play and no work, then you don’t know what you’re missing!  

Relationship and Networking expert Keith Ferrazzi gives us 5 ways you can stay connected using social media.  Check out the list below and see how you can put one or more of these ways to use today to help you grow your network and business!

1.  The Good Samaritan: Scroll through your Facebook or LinkedIn wall and find two people you can help. Remember, it doesn’t have to be something big. Even a cheerful “hello” can be helpful some days. But you might be surprised how easy it is to find more specific opportunities to help when you go looking.

2.  The Resume Builder I: Go to LinkedIn and write a recommendation for someone whose work you admire.

3.  The Resume Builder II: Ask a former boss whom you know appreciated your work to write a recommendation for you. Let them know one great sentence is really all you need! (I guarantee you that nine times out of ten you’ll get more than just a sentence.)

4.  The Positively Postal: Make list of people with birthdays and anniversaries in Feb or March. Buy cards, sign, stamp, and send. A month of goodwill created in less time than it would take to watch Law and Order!

5.  The Conversation Starter: Leave a comment – or better yet, a question – on a blog post or status update that doesn’t yet have any comments. Or… why not…. Share your favorite relationship-building “mission” with the community here.

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There is no better time to realize the importance of “having a guy” than when you need something done.  If you have some electrical work that needs to be done in your house, most people would rather use a personal reference than gambling on an unknown company you found on the internet or phone book.  In business, “having a guy” is commonly referred to as having a network. For instance, if you are unemployed, you have a higher likelihood of getting a good job through networking that you do by simply filling out an application and hoping for a call back.  Networking however is not like a lawnmower that you can jump fire up when you need it. It requires time and energy and the building and maintaining of your network should be a lifestyle.

The question then is how can networking become a lifestyle when you are going a 100 mph as soon as the alarm goes off? In order for this to happen, networking cannot become just another task on our ever growing daily to-do list. If you view networking as something that you have to do instead of viewing it as a critical component of your success, you are missing the mark. Networking Expert Keith Ferrazzi‘s solution to combat this mentality is that “we must Ritualize relationship building.”  “We should create a system of simple activities that you can carry over time as habits and that become as natural to you as your morning cup of coffee.”  Keith gives five ideas that can inspire your own personal “Relationship Rituals:”

1.    First thing every day after you turn on your computer, ping one friend and one acquaintance.

2.    Every weekend, invite someone else into an activity that you normally do alone (walks, gym sessions, gardening, shopping trips).

3.    Pick a day for a weekly check-in with a colleague/associate/friend, during which you share a success, a challenge, and make a commitment for the upcoming week.

4.    Every Friday, send a broadcast – status update, blog post, Tweet, etc.

5.    Host a monthly dinner or happy hour. 

At the end of the day the rituals need to be customized to fit your specific networking goals and lifestyle.  The most important thing is that no matter what your rituals are that you act upon them every week.  Here are a few others that work for me:

1.       Bring two people together who you know want to do business together.  This will instantly bring value to both of your relationships.

2.       Utilize your commute time more effectively by talking to a friend or acquaintance.

3.       Use social networking tools such as Linkedin and Facebook as another vehicle to keep in touch with your current network and build a larger one.
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The word networking is one of those words that we hear so often, it seems to lose its meaning and importance. What is networking? Dictionary.com defines it as, “a supportive system of sharing information and services among individuals and groups having a common interest.”  To describe it in real life terms, it’s the process of connecting with others with the goal of making them more successful. It has also been described as “the constant process of giving and receiving, of asking for and offering help.” Networking is much more than just getting together with people, it is about strengthening your relationship with others, by giving more than you take.

Networking takes time. This is why it ends up far too often in the “I know I should be doing this but don’t have the time” category. Is it really worth your time though? These days most people would admit you have a much better chance of getting a job or a promotion through networking than you do through the normal application process. As well, for any relationship personal or business, you must put the work into strengthening the relationship. Author Maribeth Kuzmeski in her book “The Connectors” discusses the importance of relationships this way: “Cultivating relationships lead to success in just about anything that we do. This skill must be practiced and trained.” In addition, trust is not built on a single interaction and thus it takes time to prove to the other person that you desire to make them more successful.   

Listed below are some ways to make connecting with others easier and to help you strengthen your relationships:

1.  Use tools that make it easier- Every time you meet someone, follow up with a LinkedIn invitation (rather than an email). This allows the person to see everything about you and them, including shared connections and other information that you might find useful.

2.  “Thoughtful Detail”- When you introduce two people, try to make sure you explain to the other person who this person is, what they do and tell them something about the other person they might be interested in.

3.  Share a meal- If you want to strengthen the relationship with a colleague, customer or friend, get them away from their desk.

4.  Email etiquette- Never use the word “I” in you emails until the third sentence. This is harder than you think so you have to take some time to practice it. This is especially important for   someone you are trying to get a meeting with but that you have never met.

5.  Volunteer- Not only will you feel great about serving but it allows you to make connections and build relationships on a different level.

6.  Be a person of integrity- Make high integrity commitments to yourself and others and more importantly, make sure you keep every one of them.

One of the secrets to success is generosity. How can you start using networking today to make those around you more successful?

 
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I have a confession to make.  As a frequent business traveler I am not usually a social person.  Usually, I dive into reading or simply listen to my iPod the moment I board the plane.  Although this provides a much needed escape, I recently realized I maybe missing a perfect networking opportunity in the seat next to me.   Networking may come in many forms but at its core it’s simply connecting with another person.  

This epiphany occurred on a recent flight from Charlotte, NC to Minneapolis, MN.  Settling in my seat, 3B, I took “Jeffrey Gitomer’s Little Teal Book of Trust” out and placed it in my lap.  A sharply dressed gentleman seated next to me asked how I liked the book.  Little did I realize I was about to embark on a networking conversation. I  I told him I loved it and was a big fan of the author.  You see, before the plane was even off the ground a connection was made. This lead to an exciting, fulfilling two and a half hour conversation about business, sales and life in general.  It turns out he was in town meeting with the author of the book we were just discussing.  This was definitely the most enjoyable and invigorating conversation I have ever had on a plane.  The connection was not just our mutual respect for the author, it went deeper.  It turns out that Gitomer is a fan of the company that I work for. He mentions the company in many of his books and speeches.   However, a recent experience left him dissatisfied.  It aggravated him enough that he had mentioned it to the person that I was now connecting with.   I told him I would be happy to get involved and do whatever I could to make sure we resolve this issue.  He then said he would relay our conversation to Gitomer.  As soon as I returned home I elevated the issue to ensure it got resolved as quickly as possible.   Although I had hoped this gentleman would mention our conversation to Gitomer, I was thankful for the opportunity to have this great conversation and to make this new connection.

A couple of weeks later I received an unexpected package at my office.  In this package were a few autographed books as well as a couple of audio books from Gitomer.  Although the gifts brought much joy, the real value came in reflecting on the great conversation and connection I made with the gentleman sitting in 3A. The lesson I learned was you never know when a networking opportunity is sitting right next to you. 
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We are bombarded on a daily basis with information and tasks that we often get muddled down to the point that we can’t see or focus on the more valuable things.  The words connecting or connections are great examples of this very thing and are often overused. Connecting is much more than just a relationship with someone or a group of people. Connecting is a philosophy of life, a worldview.  For example, Keith Ferrazzi in his book Never Eat Alone defines connecting as, “The constant process of giving and receiving, of asking for and offering help.”  The goal of connecting should be about finding ways to make other people around you more successful.  It is proving to others over time, that you have a what’s in it for them, rather than a what’s in it for you mentality.   

Connecting with others is not a one-time event. It requires consistent and regular communication.  However, there are some great tools available to help you make connections with others easier.  I have listed a few of them to help you start making more connections:

·         Linkedin-  http://www.linkedin.com

It provides you with a professional network of contacts. Their goal is to connect the world’s professionals to make them more productive and successful

·         Facebook Pages for Businesses- http://www.facebook.com/FacebookPages

This is a great way for businesses to connect with their customers in a more dynamic way and to build their brand by possibility tapping into a new audience. Many successful businesses are now using social networking tools as part of their overall Marketing plan.

·         Spoke- http://www.spoke.com

Their goal is to make connecting with other business people easier and to focus on professional networking

·         Biznik- http://www.biznik.com

A community of entrepreneurs and small businesses dedicated to helping each other succeed.

·         Fast Pitch- http://www.fastpitchnetworking.com

They are a Global Network of Professionals connecting online with the primary goal to add value to their business and the community as a whole


If you are looking to grow your business or network, success may only be one connection a way. The question then is what will you do today, to make that connection?
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We often hear the phrase “I know I should be doing it but I just don’t have the time.”  It seems that most times our daily tasks tend to overflow and we struggle with focusing on the most important things when little fires seem to continue to pop up.  I wonder if our struggle is more related to our inability to stay organized or the fact that we don’t have a good system that allows us to take advantage of the information we use on a daily basis. Connecting and staying in touch with people in our network is one priority that most business people would agree is critical to their success, but we tend to let other less important tasks crowd and steal our time.  Author and Networking Expert Keith Ferrazzi brings to light, “80% of building and maintaining relationships is just staying in touch.”

During my research on networking I ran across a powerful tool that I believe would make it much easier for us to stay connected to those in our network.  Xobni for Outlook is a free sidebar that allows you to take your inbox to the next level by providing a better way to search your inbox and find information about your contacts.  A few of the useful features of this tool include an email search that makes it easier to locate emails in your inbox and shows you previous emails connected to that person.  Another component of this tool is the social networking aspect that allows you to search for information on your contacts through Facebook, Linkedin, Hoovers and others.  It also gives you the ability to grow your network of connections by showing you who else this contact is connected to and then gives you the ability to connect with them via Facebook, Linkedin, etc. The name encapsulates perfectly the goal of this tool.  “Xobni- ‘inbox’ spelled backwards- is an affirmation of our mission: to ‘take back’ the email inbox for our users.” You can download this tool at www.xobni.com

The true cost of connecting is not about money but time.  The question then is what can you do today to make sure you have the time to spend for connecting?
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Be honest, when you first heard about social networking sites such as, Facebook, LinkedIn and MySpace, were you thinking, this stuff is just for kids?  I am too busy to get sucked into these meaningless activities?  When this new realm of communication was first introduced you may have been right, but that has quickly changed   There is no lack of opinion where validity of social networking tools are concerned.  However, a recent study by Forrester Research speaks to this issue when they point out that, if you are not using these tools to increase your top line revenue and attract new customers, you are missing a large opportunity. 

“According to Forrest Research, one-third of adults online are ‘conversationalists,’ posting to sites like Twitter and Facebook at least once per week”. This doesn’t even include those who only peruse these sites only and do not post any content.  We shouldn’t get stuck on the question of whether these sites can be a useful tool, but rather how can we tap into this demographic of people who can help us expand our business.  One of the biggest advantages of using a social networking site is how quickly information can be spread or become viral.  As businesses mature and the market space becomes more populated, it is critical to continue to look for new and different ways to get your products and your brand more visible.  A word of caution to keep in mind is that in as quickly as good information can spread, the reverse is also true. When we’ve had a bad experience as a consumer or have had a negative interaction with a company that experience can spread quickly with the click of a mouse. 

A great example where a company has used a social networking site to further expand their brand and market space is a well known jewelry retailer. They utilize Facebook by setting up a “Fan Page” for their company. This gives them the ability to post sales on select products on a regular basis, which not only drives new business to their web site, but allows them to reach a potential new demographic. Go online and check out your favorite retailer’s web site to see how they may already be using one of these social networking tools.

LinkedIn is another social networking site. Their tag line is “Get the most from your professional network.”  Some people view as the adult version of Facebook. This site allows you to stay in contact with past and present colleagues and classmates as well as look for new business or job opportunities.  Another great feature is that it can also provide you with industry specific information and resources, as well as the ability to network with industry leaders.  One possibly overlooked use for this site is that it has the potential to help drive top line revenue. Is there a company you have been courting that you really want as a customer but can’t seem to get in the door?  Have you checked to see if any of your connections within LinkedIn or Facebook know anyone who works there?  If so, why not reach out to them and to see if they would be willing to introduce you. What do you have to lose?

Does your business have a Fan page on Facebook? What are you waiting for? Create one now at:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/create.php

If you are not registered on LinkedIn, you are missing out on a valuable networking tool. Register now at: http://www.linkedin.com/
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