Networking matters: The speaker doesn't

Commentary April 21, 2009 at 08:00 PM
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No More Cold Calling
www.nomorecoldcalling.com

Woody Allen said, "Eighty percent of success is showing up." Showing up counts. Therefore, networking must be an integral part of your sales process — and not any kind of networking. Go where your clients go, meet new people, search out different groups. Expand your circles of influence.

A colleague recently told me he finds out who the speaker is at an event, and then he makes his decision to attend. Wrong. Of course I attend to hear the speakers, but they could be talking about cardboard, and I'd still be there. I go for different reasons. I want to meet people, learn about them, build relationships, and continue to expand my sales network.

Showing up counts, but only if you show up regularly and become involved. Err on the side of joining fewer organizations and attending each networking meeting. All groups need volunteers. By volunteering, you will get to know people, and they will know you as someone who has good ideas and follows through — respected characteristics in any endeavor, but especially in sales.

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