Professional Networking League Blog

The question was recently asked, “What should a person consider when choosing a Professional Networking Group?” I think there are 3 important areas to consider. 1. What level of professional networker are you? Consider that different folks are at different levels in their networking experience. If a person is new to networking and/or is still trying to understand how to get the most out of it they should be looking for a group that facilitates their learning. On the other hand, if a professional “gets it” then there are groups tailored to this. This kind of group knows that they are not for everybody. The performance of the group and the professionals involved will reflect this high level of professional networking. 2. Convenience is important. Time and location should play a large part of the decision process. If the time of the meetings conflict with other important events in one’s life attendance will suffer. Being part of a group that meets near one’s home or work also contributes ...

You already know that personal growth comes from getting out of your Comfort Zone. Sometimes you might even feel frustrated by being “stuck” in or by your areas of comfort. The questions, really, are how and when. It’s time to wake up and move up. This article will discuss the five steps to expand your comfort zone. All of these have an underlying element. Personal desire is the basic component of the success of personal growth. Even situations you have found yourself in that “forced” you to grow required your desire to succeed. You always have the choice to curl into a ball and do nothing, being paralyzed with fear and excuses. Your desire to solve, endure, remove, or eliminate an uncomfortable situation is what created your success. Plan your steps. Do you want to take a big leap out of your comfort zone? Do you want to inch your way out? Either way is good, if there is a plan. What is the first obstacle you will overcome? Now decide how you are going to increase your level of comfor...

There are appropriate occasions to sell and there are appropriate occasions to network. There is a time and place for everything. Very seldom should these two activities happen at the same time. Often it’s just a case of knowing the difference between the two activities. Here are the 6 differences between networking and selling. If we are speaking with a person who knows the product or service we represent can solve a problem it may be an occasion to sell. If we are looking for contacts to those we can help it is an occasion to network. When all parties in a conversation know a potential business transaction is imminent it is likely a time to sell. When a person is caught off guard in a casual conversation by an attempt to close a deal it is a networking opportunity squandered. When all parties in a conversation know a potential business transaction is imminent it is likely a time to sell. When a person is caught off guard in a casual conversation by an attempt to close a deal it is a ...

A recent blog at quicksprout.com spoke of a professional who moved into a high-rise condominium.  His suite was on the top floor with other high income people.  He was forced to interact with people as he and they moved about the complex.  The blog discussion is about how much business he generated with these interactions. Although the blog was discussing the influence of perceived affluence it was noticeable how the interactions between professionals were what generated the business.  It was possible for the author to have that “elevator speech” at any time. This is an example of how important it is for us to be able to answer the questions we are commonly asked about our profession. We should be able to be comfortable, entertaining, and informative with our answer. The term often used for this is “elevator speech.” Comfortable A good “elevator speech” should be well rehearsed.  By repeated recitation we become more comfortable with the wording, cadence and tim...