A Publication of Lighthouse Consulting Services
Recently, it seems that professional networking has hit a new state of frenzy.
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“ If it is to build your business through referrals, a more concise networking plan may be appropriate as a part of your overall business development program. ”
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Many of our professional colleagues are scrambling to participate in every professional, charitable, or political networking events and related venues under the sun… and the whole experience has an eerie family resemblance to the stock market rush of the late 90s.
Don’t get me wrong, I am a strong evangelist of getting involved and believe it necessary for successful rainmaking but what is the reason of participation? If it is to build your business through referrals, a more concise networking plan may be appropriate as a part of your overall business development program.
Building Your Personal Networking Strategy
Each of us has a slightly different agenda for networking but most include building our businesses and expanding professional resources. So, with that precise end in mind, let’s build a plan of action.
First, identify the target client that you are most interested in; the more specific you can be the better. This is by far the most important aspect to building your plan.
This will drive many decisions you will need to make. For instance, would you like to meet clients that you would like to attract or the professionals that serve them or both?
Successful networking can be achieved at the end user or advisor level but for ROI purposes, we recommend concentrating on peer-to-peer networking first and direct to consumer as a distant second.
Remember, referrals from other trusted advisors are 100 times more likely to end in engagement. Direct client networking is good for personal branding and identity to go deep in a particular industry but not the best investment for generating new business.
Decide what peer groups can get you further faster and let the others go. Concentrate on going deeper with your target groups and politely ignore the others.
Networking Tips for Reluctant Professionals
When meeting other professionals for the first time, simply ask what the other person does. This is an incredible icebreaker even for the shy or introverted. People like talking about themselves and are very focused on
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Lighthouse Consulting Services
3130 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 550, Santa Monica, CA 90403 (310) 453-6556