Why Not?

So, you went to a networking meeting, found someone who wanted to meet with you and chat over coffee. You met them in a nice coffee shop, had a beverage of some sort, and they asked you to tell them all about your business, yourself, and how you reached this point in life. You told them all about yourself, your hopes, dreams, your business, and how you came to be where you are now.

Then you spoiled the entire meeting by announcing that you were leaving, never asking them about themselves and their business, or their life. Are you that rude, or are you just that clueless about networking and building relationships? Maybe networking is a one-way street for you; maybe you believe that networking is only about getting new customers for your business. Maybe, for you, it is all about getting yourself a new career; maybe you could care less about the other person.

Networking is a two-way street. We must learn that in order to succeed. We must understand that we must give to others in order for karma to recognize that we are in this relationship building business for the long haul. We must understand that in order to get referrals of any sort, we must know enough about the other person to give referrals to them that are solid, pertinent referrals.

How can you honestly look another person in the face and say that you want to build a networking relationship with them and not try to learn anything about them or their business? How can you expect them to value a relationship with you if there is no effort on your part to do so? How can others want to know about you if you don’t want to know about them? Did you just give lip service to the relationship building idea when it was proposed to you, or did you actually mean to take it seriously?

Every day I meet people who are serious about building their business and the relationships necessary to make that business a success. These people understand that a great client is not one who writes the immediate order with you, but is the one who builds a relationship with you that lasts longer than you could ever imagine. They may write orders over and over with you, always putting money into your pocket. However, their real value is the fact that they refer other prospects to you, increasing your bottom line more than you ever could do alone.

Every day I meet other people who are either representing a business or looking for a new career, and who have no clue as to what they are doing. They are looking for the next sale, the next career opportunity for themselves, never giving a thought to what they can do for others. Do they learn what makes a great client for someone else’s business; do they tell someone else about a career opportunity that may be perfect for another person besides themselves? Do they just go through life thinking about themselves, never considering the importance of trying to help others?

Success in business is built on Appreciation Marketing. Make your clients believe that they are the most important part of your business life; make your employees believe that they are the most vital cog in your business operation. Make your family believe that they are the rock on which your life is built; make your business relationships believe that you will do whatever you can to help them be successful. Then you can say that you have the path to success down pat. Why not try it?

Have all your marketing plans been successful, or are you muddling through each day, getting exactly what you have always gotten back from your efforts? How many referrals did you receive this week, this month, this year? Maybe you need to try something new. Why not try to give more and not attempt to sell so much? Why not try a new batch of friends and associates? Maybe you could even try to teach others to try something new while you are learning how to do the same. Please leave me your comments, or email me at Jim@JimTeasley.com, or call me at 360-314-8691.