How to have a productive One2One Meeting

The key to building a successful relationship with someone in business networking is follow up. One2One interactions are an essential part of this follow up. It is the next step after you have invested time in getting to know someone at your regular networking group meetings. In this podcast I explain how to have a productive One2One Meeting.

Listen here:

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If you don't have a couple of minutes to listen then this image from the NRG Networking System covers the main points:



Good Networking!
Dave Clarke                     

Using the Internet to get off the Internet

In 'Using online to get offline' I briefly mentioned Meetup.com Founder, Scott Heiferman, and his talk in London about the importance of meeting offline.

Scott shared that he really began to experience the power of community in post 9/11 New York when people began again to rediscover the importance of looking out for each other. I was in London during the bombs on the underground and on a bus on 7 July 2005 and saw many people going out of their way for others in a similar way.

Scott shared that the idea for Meetup came from that time and he wanted to create a site to help strengthen community. To give people the opportunity to use the Internet to get together in local communities each day with the goal of improving themselves or their communities. Their mission today is to revitalize local community and help people around the world self-organize. Meetup believes that people can change their personal world, or the whole world, by organizing themselves into groups that are powerful enough to make a difference.

As Scott said it's about "Using the Internet to get off the Internet!"

A great insight into how to use Online Social Media and Networks in your Business Networking, a subject I addressed more fully in this article:

'10 top networking tips to increase business with the effective use of offline & online networks'

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke                     

Using online to get offline

At a networking lunch last week someone asked about how you get to meet up offline with some of the people you connect with online. Networking online & offline are about about building relationships. You can strengthen existing connections online and make good new connections. Build relationships by contributing to online conversations and sharing your knowledge and connections. At some point you will probably need to meet up to really build trust. You may not be quite ready to meet One2One so consider inviting them along to a networking group you belong to.

Last week I attended an Event on 'How real time web is facilitating offline interactivity'. One of the speakers Meetup Founder, Scott Heiferman, was talking about the importance of meeting offline and said Meetup itself was all about:

"Using the Internet to get off the Internet!"

A pretty good approach to keep in mind with your online networking.

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 10 top networking tips to increase business with the effective use of offline & online networks

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How to decide where to spend time online networking

At a couple of meetings last week people asked me which online networks they should use. People tend to read the buzz about Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter etc & assume they need to be on them all. They can often feel daunted at the prospect of somehow incorporating all these into their networking.

I replied that the approach to networking is the same as offline. It is all about building relationships where people get to know, like and trust you. The important consideration for business networking is that the people you build those relationships with are in a position to refer you in the course of their everyday experiences. You should be networking online and offline in the networks where those people are members.

As I wrote in 10 top networking tips to increase business with the effective use of offline & online networks:

"Business Networking is about finding other business people who operate in similar markets to you. Then helping them and building relationships to earn that trust so don’t expect instant results. Like anything worthwhile, networking takes time and application. Take the time to develop relationships and create a network. Don’t expect to walk into a room of strangers or simply post a profile online and come away with business – it just doesn’t work like that!"

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
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Online and Offline Networking go Hand in Hand

At a meeting earlier this month people were talking about how difficult it is to keep track of all the interactions we now have both online and offline. Last month in my National Networker Column I wrote about the many different ways we have of keeping in touch with the advent of social networks and social media. Online networks give us a a really effective tool for supporting our offline business networking activities. As I have written before, though, they only do that, however, if we go about both activities strategically.

In an article on the NRG-networks website I shared my top 10 tips for building business with the effective use of offline & online networks:

1. Get comfortable with how networking works
2. Develop a plan
3. Identify the people you already know, like & trust
4. Identify the offline networks to join
5. Show a genuine interest in other people
6. Always follow up contacts
7. Identify the online networks to join and start a blog
8. Make online contacts and build relationships first
9. Arrange contact meetings
10. Develop Networking Advocates

More on each point in the article, top 10 tips for building business with the effective use of offline & online networks

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
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What do you want out of networking?

If you don't know what you want from your networking how can anyone help you? There is a good discussion over at the NRG-networks group on Linkedin on 'What do you want out of networking?'.

Networking Tip 2 in '10 top tips to increase business with the effective use of offline & online networks' is 'Develop a Plan'. As I wrote there, "If you don’t know where you are going with your networking how can others help you?"

The important thing is that you know what you want rather than network without any clear idea of what you want. That way as you build relationships and help others achieve their goals you can let them know exactly what you are looking for.

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

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Everyone has something to say

Ecademy have been running a series of blogs about members to inspire others and show the power of social networking. In the 11th Community Story Steven Healey shares his story and provides great a couple of great insights into networking in general:

"To me networking is about listening... everyone has something to say.

To me networking is about doing... unless you take action nothing happens."

If you have the time read the whole story at the link above.

If you are wondering how to get started then follow Steven's challenge:

"My challenge is a simple one - Take the first step.

If you start networking online, and simply create a profile on a website then sit back waiting for the world to beat a path to your door... nothing will happen.

You need to be the one who takes the first step.

Write a blog, and interact with the people who comment... then write another blog.

Write an email, and interact with the person to whom you sent it , then write another email. Greet people at meetings , listen to what they have to say. Repeat until you know everyone in the room. Take the first step if someone needs help and you (or the people in your network) can."

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
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Finding the time for online networking

A number of people I have spoken to recently feel completely overwhelmed by the prospect of keeping up to date online and offline. In 'You only have 12 hours a week' Alan Rae has some useful insights into the types of business that need to do more online.

In my recent Webinar 'How to Effectively Combine Offline & Online Networking ' I spoke about integrating online & offline networking. It's still available to view at that link.

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

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The Personal & Professional in Business Networking

Another question I was asked in my webcast last week on 'How to Effectively Combine Offline & Online Networking'was whether I made a distinction between personal & professional networks in the information I share.

My answer was along the lines that people buy people so it is important to share personal information in both business and personal networking.

I enjoyed reading supporting evidence on this issue in Graham Jones' blog post yesterday about the information you share on your website. In 'Find connections to increase your sales' Graham suggests "the more personal information you reveal, the more likely it is you will connect with your customers".

He goes on to say "As if we didn't know, people buy from people... start telling the world even more about yourself so they can start to truly connect with you".

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

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Are online relationships more short term?

I was asked a number of questions in my webcast last week on 'How to Effectively Combine Offline & Online Networking'. One viewer said "It's more important to meet people offline and spend more time, this makes a relationship long term. Online relationships are more short term. Your views please?"

I have built long term relationships from connections I have made online. I have subsequently met many of these people so the relationships are now both online & offline. There are some I have never met because they are in countries I have not visited. This has not stopped us providing support, knowledge and contacts to each other.

I think the real answer is that most people make more offline connections than online ones and a smaller proportion of those online ones develop into real relationships. I wrote briefly about this in 'Quality versus quantity in Business Networking' yesterday.

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
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Quality versus quantity in Business Networking

At a recent seminar on how to effectively combine online and offline networking someone said that he wanted to build a 'quality' network rather than have lots of connections like many people he sees online. I think most people would agree that quality is important. The continuing debate is around how you get there.

In offline groups you can build these quality connections from a relatively small group of people. Much of the filtering process has already been done. It's different online in that you will have quality interactions with a smaller percentage of the people you 'connect' with. In both cases quality is a result of quantity.

To be effective offline and online is is still about building relationships.

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
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How to Effectively Combine Offline & Online Networking

I presented this webinar on brightTALK yesterday. You can watch the recording below.


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

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The Tipping Point & Online Networking

I was explaining how to integrate online and offline networking to someone at an NRG seminar recently. In '10 tips for building business with the effective use of offline & online networks' I suggest that you identify the online networks to join and start a blog. Your blog is the cornerstone of your online presence and the image below from the Logic + Emotion Blog in 'Twitter Tuesday, Influence Ripples + Tipping Points' is a great visual aid to illustrate my point.

The 3 types of networkers identified in the Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell are shown and described. The Salesman uses knowledge to engage and persuade, the Maven connects people through sharing knowledge, the Connector connects people to each other. To be effective online you need to be a bit of each (or get people to do some of it for you). Think of your blog as engaging and persuading, then use social media to share knowledge and social networks to share connections.


Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
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Offline still most important for Word of Mouth

A couple of years ago in 'Word of Mouth: The real action is offline' I wrote about research from the Keller Fay Group revealing that 72% of all word of mouth interaction took place face-to-face.

A recent report from Mintel finds people still prefer real-life recommendations to online.

So while Social Media and Social Networks are becoming increasingly important in maintaining and building relationships don't forget to focus on the offline.

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
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Extending your networking online

I enjoyed reading a couple of NRG member blogs on the subject of online networking yesterday from Nancy Williams of Tiger Two and Keren Lerner of Top Left Design. I have written before about integrating your offline and online networking and more and more people are asking how and where! I believe that online networks give you a real opportunity to strengthen relationships with existing contacts as well as making new connections.

In 'Personal Power' Nancy makes the point that she spends more time on those online networks where she has met the people and it is part of a relationship building process. She says, "On the sites I am intimately involved with, I know the people I am speaking to on there personally. I have met many of them, I have shared lunch, drinks or an event with them. I have got to know them as human beings rather than as avatars. That makes my interaction with them a lot deeper because I know I am talking to a real person whom I like and look forward to building more of a relationship with."

In 'Networking – combining online and offline' Keren explains the power of combining the two and says, "We really would encourage you to get in touch with people when you have met them in real life via searching for them on one of the online networks where you may both be a member."

If you are not networking online ask your network where they are and join them there. If you are already networking online then have a fresh look for the people you may already know.

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
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Taking the guess work out of networking

The primary business networking driver for many people is to generate more business from the people they meet. Not directly but by introductions to other people they know. Many opportunities to make referrals are missed by people because they do not see the possibility at the relevant time.

It takes time to build a relationship where people recommend and refer you as a matter of course when they spot an opportunity. At NRG-networks we call this Networking Advocacy and facilitate this relationship building process.

One of the great advantages of online networks is that they let you see who your contacts are connected to so that you can request an introduction. This means that online networks are becoming increasingly important as a valuable resource for your offline activities.

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
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Dominating your niche online

Chris Bose presented an excellent seminar before the NRG Business Networking Lunch in London this week. Chris explained that if you work out a niche for your business you can get relevant traffic to your web pages from searches rather than just any old traffic. People are searching for solutions to their real problems rather than your actual service. If you address your web pages to these issues in the area you operate then you can attract the people looking for the answers you provide. You can then work on converting those into real interest in your services and make real sales.

He explained how to work out your niche by thinking about what people really buy from you and why they buy. You can also calculate when, where and how they do this. With this you can work out who your potential customers are and address your web pages to them and the issues you solve for them. If you have multiple markets then approach each niche separately.

There were a lot of lessons during his talk for successful offline networking. People often introduce themselves and what they do without sharing what they are looking for and how to spot an opportunity for them. Next time you are planning your introduction at a Networking Event think about who the people you meet are likely to know. What are the problems those people have that you provide a solution to? Concentrate on telling people about the issues you work on together with those likely to have these issues and where. Share the symptons that people can look out for to get you an introduction.

If you need some help with this then ask some of your customers what they really buy from you and why.

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
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How to create a successful online networking profile

I recently wrote '10 tips for building business with the effective use of offline & online networks' in response to a number of requests for help with getting the balance right between offline & online networking. I also wrote about the subject in my National Networker Column last month, 'UK: How small businesses really network.'

With any online network your profile is at the heart of your experience. It’s how people can be sure they’ve found the right person when they search for you. Here are some tips on creating a successful online business networking profile from this month's NRG-networks Community Newsletter.

• Just like when you meet someone in person, your profile photo is the way people who meet you online can put a face to your name.

• What you write in your online profile summary is just like the 30 second introduction you’d give to someone you’ve just met, so don’t underestimate the value in spending a little bit of your time getting it just right.

• You can add a few carefully thought-out keywords to your profile to indicate how you’d like to be found when people search for you. Think about the things you specialise in and add them to the keywords section on your profile.

• Your education, your interests, and your professional experience are the kind of things other people are likely to find interesting about you and what you do. They trigger conversation and interaction. So make sure you add as much information as you can so people find you and ask to connect with you.

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
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Internet based marketing & business networking on the increase

In a recent monthly column on the National Networker I wrote about 'UK: Networking Activity on the Increase'. In the post I asked whether 'Offline' networking was growing in line with 'Online' and reported the anecdotal evidence to support the view that it was.

Some research came to my attention earlier this week from Robert Rush of pfa research. The findings in relation to sales & marketing activity in their South West Business Pulse January 2009 make interesting reading:

* 29% increasing activity on internet based marketing with 2% reducing activity
* 16% increasing activity on business networking with 1% reducing activity

Increasing activity in these areas is against a background of 17% reporting an increase in overall activity on sales & marketing as opposed to 26% reporting an overall decrease.

Make sure you don't miss the opportunities that this increase in business networking activity is providing.

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
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How to build trust in business relationships

I read a great piece from Benjamin Ellis recently entitled 'On-line Trust, More than Liking'. It's well worth a read if you have time. The issue of building trust is vital in both online and offline networking and some of the advice contained is excellent:

* Be open and transparent.
* Be predictable and consistent.
* Be visibly accountable.

A few years back we conducted some research into the importance of developing trust in business relationships as part of networking. The article 'Have you unlocked the benefits of business networking?' includes a link to the full findings.

Building a trusted business relationship in a networking context is a simple process:
1. Make contact
2. Follow up
3. Form relationships
4. Develop Advocates

Like many simple things that does not mean it is easy!

I will highlight some of the ways you can build trust at each stage of the process over the next few posts.

Good Networking
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success

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