When people are overwelmed with information and develop immunity to traditional forms of communication, they turn instead for advice and information to the people in their lives whom they respect, admire and trust.

 Malcolm Gladwell

Secrets to Savvy Networking
Susan RoAne
Follow-up is a basic tenet of life. Behaviors and actions support words; the lack of either subverts them. We must T.A.P. into our networks, being Timely and Appropriately Persistent in our follow-up or we will fail to establish and increase our base of contacts. That is networking in a nutshell! People who have resources are resourceful. People who are willing to open their Rolodex or contact management program, pick up a phone, call on their contacts, and ask for help and solutions, and who offer leads, information, and ideas, are perceived as powerful and smart......More

Networking for Introverts
I have a problem. I'm an introvert. I'm not shy. I'm not afraid of being in public. But I am horrible at chit-chat and gossip. If I spend an evening at a social function with people I don't know or don't like, I get home and feel like I've spent all day at the ocean. It's that fighting-the-waves and drained-by-the-sun kind of tired. I would rather spend four hours with my head stapled to the carpet. I would be more comfortable that way...For better or for worse, connections make the world go round......More

Secrets to Getting Referrals
How to encourage the members of your networking group to recommend your business to others
Ivan Misner
Networking groups can definitely help businesses generate referrals. However, I've talked to many people who've told me that despite the fact that they are giving business for other members of their networking group, they are not getting business from other members of the group. For those of you who want to get more business from the networking groups you belong to, keep this in mind: When attending referral-related networking groups, remember that your efforts should focus more on "training a sales force" than on trying to "close a sale." In other words, if you want to get business from the fellow members of your networking group, it is key that you educate these people about some of the specifics of your business and what to look for in order to refer you effectively......More

The Power of Relationships
Keith Ferrazi
A few years ago I was in New York City to advise two large banks on the secret to success in business.  On the way in from the airport, I struck up a conversation with my taxi driver. Tony was from India. He had studied to be a marine biologist but could not get a decent job in that field here. He was doing okay driving a cab, he said, "but in coming all this way, I had hoped to do better than just get by." The more we talked, the more I realized that the counseling I provide to corporate executives also applies to average people like Tony. Like too many of us, Tony thought that being self-reliant meant never asking for help. But we need to nurture relationships in order to achieve our goals.....More

One-To-One Marketing: Use personal notes to build relationships
Chuck Green
When was the last time you received a personal note from a colleague or a client?  A handwritten message that expressed a feeling or a thought composed for you alone?  If you're like me they are few and far between.  I for one will not soon forget the CEO of a multi-billion dollar corporation who took the time to send a note of congratulations after a positive story about my business in the local press.....More

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