Just What IS Business Networking, Anyway?

Sep 23, 2008

Business networking is much more than showing up at networking functions, shaking a lot of hands, and collecting a bunch of cards—networking is about being proactive.

Two Things You Should Know About Networking

Apr 18, 2008

Two Things You Should Know About Networking

Customize Your Referral Strategies

Mar 25, 2008

One of the things I often tell people is to remember what Tony Alessandro calls, the “Platinum Rule”: Treat others the way they want to be treated. This rule applies to every transaction and every rela...

People Who Like, Care, and Respect You – Will Always Refer Business to You?

Feb 06, 2008

If you are an unselfish and helpful partner in your outside relationships, others will be happy to reciprocate with business referrals.

When It Comes To Referrals, Quality Beats Quantity…Hands Down!

Dec 19, 2007

While it is indeed true that you want to get a good number of referrals, it is true only up to a point.

Contrary to What You May Think, the Referral Process is Not Difficult to Measure!

Nov 23, 2007

Most everyone who has ever tried to keep a truly accurate count of how many “cold calls” led to actual, cash-in-your-pocket sales knows that this is not an easy task. The good news is that it is actual...

Success is Not Measured by the Number of Network Meetings You Attend

Nov 09, 2007

Referral networking is more about farming than hunting! An overemphasis of running from one networking event to another looking for new relationships is a waste of time, money, and energy that you sho...

Get the good Word-of Mouth marketing

Jul 20, 2007

You may be thinking: Hey, I’m not asking anybody to refer me, so word-of-mouth marketing is not something I need to concern myself with. I mean, if I provide good products or services, and if my...

Speed Networking ... and Beyond!

Jun 21, 2007

Speed networking programs are showing up all around the world.  These events tend to be a fun, exciting, and...

Online Networks Make Their Mark

May 31, 2007

In my book, The World’s Best Known Marketing Secret, which was written in the mid-90’s, I talked a...

A 'People Person' Is the Best Networker Right?

Apr 16, 2007

A common assumption is that a “people person” is th...

Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and Six Degrees of Separation

Mar 19, 2007

What do Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and Six Degrees of Separation have in common?  The answer is – people all around the world believe in them.  But, since I don’t wish to ...

Networking Faux Pas

Mar 08, 2007

After two decades of running the world’s largest networking organization, I have certainly seen a lot of networking faux p...

Networking Keys: Opening the Door to Relationships

Feb 04, 2007

When you tell entrepreneurs that relationships are the “key” to developing a personal and professional network, they often smile and acknowledge the concept without fully appreciating its ...

If You're Getting all the Referrals You Need, You Don't Need to Sell

Nov 30, 2006

Truth or Delusion… If you’re getting all the referrals you need, you don’t need to sell?

Delusion. Anybody who’s experienced and successful in referral marketin...

Not All Referrals Are Equal

Oct 30, 2006

A referral is a referral, right?  At first glance it doesn’t seem too complicated to develop basic referrals for your business; howev...

Word of Mouth Marketing

Sep 29, 2006

What if there was a way to build your business, year in and year out, regardless of fluctuations in the economy or the activities of your compe...

To Bow or To Shake Hands?— Cultural Differences and Networking Etiquette

Sep 08, 2006

We now live in a fully global society where it is imperative to have an awareness of cultural differences as they relate to networking etiquette.  We often notice differences within our own st...

We Don’t Teach Networking in College

Jul 22, 2006

If you have read any books on networking or word-of-mouth marketing, it might surprise you to learn that as a college professor and expert in the field, I would tell you that you’ve actually ...

Diversity and Networking

Jun 28, 2006

When it comes to business networking, you never know who people know. One of the important keys to being successful at building a powerful personal network is diversity.

In running a large...