Networking Strategy Colorado

By Terry Hall

September 24, 2008

As business networking options for small business owners gets more complex, it’s time to take a look at which networking strategies are best whether you’re in Colorado, New York or San Diego.

There are 3 components to a Networking Strategy:

1. Find and attend quality networking occasions.
2. Have a specific intention when you network.
3. Use a system or process to connect, qualify and follow through.

First: Finding quality netowkring events seems to ba a challange. There are so many sites run by various people. There is a new site that is in beta testing called Netwroking Events Finder. It’s a network of local “netwoking guides” that is published and moderated [business networking and business events only]. I think they have about 25 “networking guides” established so far and looking to expand. What makes them uniques is that they do not host their own events, you can’t publish a birthday party there and access if free. As they continue to develop their site, they are promising “online business networking”. It will be interesting to see if they can pull that off. Most of my online experience has been marginal and “spammy” at best. http://NetworkingEventsFinder.com

Second: Much has been written about intention and it’s power. The reason why is that it works. As a small business owner you wear many hats. You are accountable for sales, lead generation, marketing, business development, accounting [A/P, A/R, Payroll, Bookkeeping], Finance, Customer Fulfillment and Service as well as managing the whole pie. In many ways you are like the plate spinner at the Circus… Have a clear vision and intention of what you need next in your business in each area of accountability is how you truly maximize the benefit of a business networking event. The appropriate resources are always in your immediate sphere if you are aware and intentional. This is where listening and intuition are key skills for you the small business owner.

Third: Having the right system to connect, qualify and follow through is where you make you money as a business. It’s been said many times that most people make a better burger than McDonalds, but virtually no one has a better burger selling system. There are many systems out there to train you how to network. My recommendation is to perfrom you due diligence and investigate them all. You will find some better than others for your particular personality style. I personally recommend and endorse The Link System Training. It’s a foundational program that will show you how to use business networking as an effective business development strategy. You can get a free business networking introductory audio at The Link System Website. Most importantly, remember the business networking is not a hunting [immediate sale] strategy but a farming [cultivating relationships] strategy.

Well that’s it. The 3 parts to a Networking Strategy for Colorado, Manhattan, Charlotte or where ever you are…

Cheers,

Terry