Grow people

In my last post I mentioned an event that Andy Lopata and I spoke at.

Andy finished with a great quote from an old proverb;

If you want to be prosperous for a year, grow grain.

If you want to be prosperous for ten years, grow trees.

If you want to be prosperous for a lifetime, grow people.

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success

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business networking | business networking events | virtual board

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How many people does it take for a good networking meeting?

I attended a networking showcase event recently where a number of us introduced our own business networking organisations. Andy Lopata also spoke and mentioned a great networking event that he attends every month where there are just 2 attendees, Andy and I. We are at the stage where we advocate each other and every month we progress our business relationship further. Our 121 meeting is very productive in generating referrals. Andy mentioned one instance where my referral led him to business in an organisation he had been targetting for 4 years.

Next time you find yourself asking 'how many people will be at the event?' maybe think about another question.

'Will the people there be ones that I can build productive business relationships with?'

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success

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business networking | business networking events | virtual board

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Why offline business networking is vital for web marketing

Research quoted in a previous post, Word of Mouth: The real action is offline discussed how most business is driven by word of mouth.

The same is true about most websites. Most visitors find you because someone else told them about you. More vistors find you as a result of word of mouth than from the search engines! For small businesses finding the right networking groups and attending regularly are a vital part of your word of mouth marketing.

You can watch Internet Psychologist, Graham Jones, talking about the importance of networking to him below:


Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success

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business networking | business networking events | virtual board

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How long does it take to get results from networking?

I was talking to a member of NRG in London on Friday. He has received business this month worth £22000 through his NRG network. He has been a member for a couple of years and typically people take a while to generate results. He also shared that he had received business through a contact at his first ever NRG meeting and regularly since then.

So what has he been doing to get results where others struggle?

He has a strategy for his networking.
He always takes time to listen and find a point of connection with someone new.
He attends his own group regularly and visits other groups too.
He is very clear about what he does, who he does it for and the problems he fixes.
He always follows up.
He spends a lot of time with his existing network.
He regularly advocates and introduces others.

Networking can take a long time. However if you plan and follow a system you can ensure that your networking activity produces predictable, reliable and profitable results.

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success

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business networking | business networking events | virtual board

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