Networking-how effective are you?

Error in deserializing body of reply message for operation 'Translate'. The maximum string content length quota (8192) has been exceeded while reading XML data. This quota may be increased by changing the MaxStringContentLength property on the XmlDictionaryReaderQuotas object used when creating the XML reader. Line 1, position 9108.
Error in deserializing body of reply message for operation 'Translate'. The maximum string content length quota (8192) has been exceeded while reading XML data. This quota may be increased by changing the MaxStringContentLength property on the XmlDictionaryReaderQuotas object used when creating the XML reader. Line 2, position 13950.

Let's face it, you are not necessarily going to find your next job via a headhunter or in the newspaper (though I am not saying that it never happens this way, it is just more difficult to do so).  The best jobs are often not advertised.  Most likely, you are going to find your next opportunity via a network you have created - a network of friends, colleagues, and acquaintances - who have access to companies and know about opportunities that you couldn't find out about any other way.  Or, if you did find out about an opportunity through a newspaper want ad - you likely have a better chance of getting noticed among the many resumes received when you are introduced through a network connection.  However, networks can help in ways other than helping you find a new job.  Your network can be a sounding board to help you solve a particularly difficult problem. They can help you further develop an idea or concept you have and can assist you in understanding market trends and help keep you updated on current business topics.

(Social) Networking Tools and Groups

There are some great tools available for social networking.  One popular tool is LinkedIn.  LinkedIn is a great way to keep in touch with individuals you have worked with before or know from college.  It is also a valuable method for sharing your expertise and knowledge in discussion groups and/or responding to questions from others on LinkedIn ("Answers").  LinkedIn enables you to expand your network and meet others by asking for introductions from your current connections to others to which they are connected.

Twitter is another tool for networking.  Through Twitter you can share information with others and learn from them.  With Twitter you don't need to have a prior relationship or know someone in order to follow them.   This enables you to reach individuals you may not otherwise ever have the opportunity to reach.  Specific topics of interest on Twitter, such as #projectmanager or #leadership, enable you to connect globally with others who share your specific interests. 

There are other groups you can likely find to participate in with like-minded people.  For example, I belong to the Employee Engagement Network. This is a global group of individuals who are interested in and involved in employee engagement.   Another group I belong to is Business Exchange. BusinessWeek's Business Exchange allows users to create business-focused topics and share information with other business-focused users who are interested in the same topics.

I'm sure you know of other networking tools and/or groups that you have found of value - please share in the Comments field below.

Networking Events and Conferences

Attending networking events is another way to meet others.  You can find professional networking events in nearly every city.  These events are sometimes focused on a specific topic or group such as for marketing specialists or individuals who are unemployed and job searching.  In addition, conferences offer the opportunity for building your network also.  For example, PMI® Global Congress is a great conference to attend to network with other project managers and increase your skills and knowledge around project management-focused topics. Most conferences provide networking sessions during lunch or in the evenings - another great way to meet others, make connections and share information!

Networking isn't Easy! It's Work!

Networking does not come easy to many people - you have to work at it.  You can't just expect someone who you met once to recommend you for an opportunity or to share information with you unless you work on maintaining and building the relationship with that person.  The ability to nurture relationships is a key component of building and maintaining an effective network.  Also key is remembering that networking is bi-directional.   Your network is just not a group of people who are there to help you find your next opportunity or introduce you to someone who may have a job for you.  Basically, they are not there only for when you need them. These are individuals you need to be actively interested in and involved with - people you want to keep in touch with and share information with. You need to devote time to your network on a regular basis.  Bottom line - don't just contact your network when you are in desperate need for help.  Keep in touch with them regularly and be interested in what they have going on themselves - not just what they can do for you.

For example, let's assume that someone in your network is interested in coaching others.  Maybe you just came across an article on the benefits of hiring coaches.  Why not share this article with that individual?  Include a short note that the individual may find the attached article of interest.  Ask them how they are doing in finding coaching opportunities.  Maybe someone else in your network is already a coach - connect these two individuals.  They have a lot in common!  Or maybe someone in your network just moved to a new position in their company or took a new job - send them a note to congratulate them on their new opportunity.   I regularly share white papers, articles, and interesting books I have read with my network. 

Broaden your network. Don't just network with others in your specific industry.  Networking outside your specific job function or your specific industry is a more creative approach and helps you to gain a broader perspective on the opportunities available and on business in general.  What you learn from others in your network can help you grow professionally and personally. 

Ask for help in building your network.  Your network members can introduce you to others.  For example, if you are interested in understanding more about the manufacturing industry, ask individuals in your current network if they have any connections in that specific industry.  Ask them to make an introduction for you.  Similarly, if someone in your network mentions that they are interested in a specific industry or company, and you have a contact in that area - offer to make an introduction.  By sharing your resources, you become a valuable partner in the network and help you broaden your network.   

What are your networking stories - the good, the bad and the ugly?

What has worked for you?

How has a network helped you develop professionally?

Resources - Harvard Business Review Articles on Networking

The following can be found online at: http://hbr.harvardbusiness.org/.

Harvard Business Review, 2008: Start Networking Right Away (Even If You Hate It)

Harvard Business Review, 2006: How Leaders Create and Use Networks

Harvard Business Review, 2005: How To Build Your Network

Read More......

MLM Training - The Success Power of Listening in Network Marketing

"Wisdom is the reward you rep for a lifetime



of Listening when you'd preferred to talk."



Doug Larson



Less is More. Especially in Network Marketing and MLM.



What does that mean?



Less talking is more considerable in network marketing, as you increase your arsenal to succeed and catch and expand your bullets to hit the Victory bullseye through the wonderful Power of--



Listening.



Do you realize Listening is a Power that can be exercised and tapped into and with it, you can change lives -- including your occupy with in MLM business?



My mentor taught me that.



I can hear him now--"Doug, Listening is the Million Dollar Skill. Master it, and you have mastered the Power Core of Communication, Connection,and Caring in Network Marketing found in the Heart of Success".



If you view mountainous leaders, most were tall listeners, and learned from it.



If you examine the superstars of MLM, you will collect the same, as most are stout Listeners.



Who do you know that is a enormous leader in Business or your Community? If you perceive them, survey their Listening habits. examine how they listen, how often, why they listen, and how they retort.



It could be a million dollar education.



When you listen next time with someone as you are talking or presenting to them, give 100% attention,and don't let anything distract you.



Remember -- this is their time with you. Respect it.



Lock onto not impartial the Moment, but the Message within the Moment. REALLY Listen and you will be surprised what you hear that you've missed before.



For this article, let's engage:



1) An Active Listening. Not honest with your ears, but also with your eyes and heart.



2) A worthy Body Language. sight in your folks eyes, and lean their blueprint, to demonstrate connection.



3) A Caring Focus. Listening starts with the heart.



4) A snarl focus. Listen for the deliver,not impartial the intent.



5) An Empowering Attitude. back and edify all that has been said, point to gratitude for them thinking enough of you to fragment.



When you listen, you are:



Leveraging (& ) Increasing Success That Empowers Now.



Your Listening will Leverage the Power found within it to Increase Success in Empowering the Now.



Absolutely nothing can Empower a status, a moment, or a person, for Success in Network Marketing,like Focused, Magnetic listening.



People are not only Attracted to it but compelled to be a piece of it and are drawn towards it.



The Power of Listening truly is the "Million Dollar Skill" in MLM.



Most People treat it like a 5 dollar attitude.



My Mentor also said:



"The last word in listen is ten. Listening is 10 times more great, and Success Attracting in the long hasten, than talking."



Are you Listening? That is THE secret to Communication Success in MLM and Network Marketing.



blessings....
doug firebaugh(c) 2008/ all rights reserved

Read More......

Network Marketing - The Power of the Presentation

Presenting your products or business opportunity is one of the key income producing activities required for your network marketing business to become successful. The purpose of the presentation is to provide your prospect with the distinguished information for him or her to build an educated decision about your products or business. You will need to determine what information you want to reveal, what format (DVD, CD, webinar, hotel meeting, 1-on-1, etc) to utilize, and who is going to indicate.



bid the Presentation



If you remember abet to your speech class, the basic formula is to suppose them what you are going to jabber them; inform them; then suppose them what you told them. That is the basic opinion, but let's expand that objective a bit. It makes sense to open off with an overview of what you are going to talk about. It also makes sense for you to tie your presentation into what your prospect needs, wants, or doesn't want. Let them know from the initiate that you are keen in making their life better.



Now, as you are making your points, you will want to design definite they understand what you are talking about. It's easy to ask 'Does that beget sense? ' But, a more effective method ensure thought is for you to ask your prospects to clarify your point relieve to you in their fill words. That diagram you can build determined that you are both on the same page. go through each of the principal points making determined that you have not lost them.



After you have completed all of your main points, reach assist around and summarize them. You want to retain your presentation as simple as possible. Now is not the time to dazzle your prospect with your brilliance. You want them to occupy that they can do what you unbiased did. Maybe not lawful away, but they need to have confidence that they can do it, too.



Practice, Practice, Practice



Have you ever done a presentation where you practiced on your audience? How did that work out for you? I don't care how excellent you are, you would have been better if you practiced on your have, first. Steve Jobs has a reputation for giving killer presentations. Do you mediate it comes out perfect the first time? No, he spends days - not hours - but days preparing his talks.



You must practice long enough so that is doesn't sound rehearsed. That's what Hollywood does, isn't it? Your approved actor or actress gets paid millions of dollars to peep natural. This really is what separates the professionals from the amateurs. Practice!



Handling Objections



Now, some people say they esteem objections because it means the prospect is actively in the game. But is level-headed makes people downhearted when their prospect is opposed to something that they said. As section of your preparation, you should also rehearse your responses to the most well-liked objections to our industry. They're not kept secret.



The top four objections for network marketers are:



1. MLM is a pyramid or scam;
2. I don't like sales;
3. I don't have time; and
4. I don't have any money.



If you hasten into others, then initiate adding them to your list. Do you contemplate politicians have all of the answers off the top of their heads? No. They anticipate what questions might be asked and they prepare and rehearse their answers ahead of time. You do the same.



The key is to rehearse how you would handle each objection. Because you know what to quiz and you have practiced your 'script', you will have the confidence and posture of a network marketing professional.

Read More......