What's the best way to convince somebody that you or your offering are the best fit for someone's needs? Have someone who's already experienced you and your skills tell them.You can try and tell someone how great you are all you want. What you say about yourself will always be taken fairly lightly. What others say about you will almost always have significantly more impact. Read more »

I've come to believe that networking is fairly counter cyclical. Meaning that in good times fewer people network, and in bad times thare are more people out networking. From what I've seen this is primarily due to people going to networking events because they need something. Typically a new job, more clients, etc. This is likely one of the major reasons people are turned off by networking. Everyone seems to have selfish motives. Read more »

If you've read much networking advice you might come to the conclusion that most of those dispensing this wisdom are farmers. There's lot of talk of nurturing, and taking care of relationships as if they were plants or crops.This analogy is useful to a point. Sure care and feeding are important as you are building a relationship, but the similarities pretty much end there. Read more »

In the Ingram household we have 2 cats and a dog. The way they behave in general got me thinking about the behaviors of different kinds of networkers. As you're about to find out I'm definitely more of a dog person than a cat person, but even if you love cats I think you'll agree with the lesson. Read more »