Business Networking Tips in July 2006

Lessons from the 2006 Tour de France

posted on July 25, 2006

I’m a big fan of the tour. I really enjoyed watching all of the stages over the last 3 weeks. I don’t know how I did it before we got our Digital Video Recorder. If it weren’t for that fancy little device, that came free with my satellite service, I wouldn’t have been able to watch it. Thanks to the miracles of technology I could watch a 4 hour stage in about an hour.   The most obvious lessons are those that Floyd Landis taught us about never giving up on yourself. Even if you have one bad day and you think there’s no way you’re going to be able to pull yourself out of the hole the race isn’t over yet. It definitely was an inspiring thing to watch.   The more subtle lesson that I watched play out throughout the entire tour was that of focus. Lance Armstrong’s former team Discovery (formerly US Postal), had a pretty miserable showing in this year’s tour after having won it for the last 7 years. I believe the root of their breakdown was lack of focus. They didn’t decide who their leader was going to be. Their philosophy going in was that whoever emerged as the leader would then be supported by the rest of the team. Obviously that didn’t work.   Discovery and US Postal had so much success the 7 previous years because they had absolute focus. Their only job was to make sure Lance was wearing Yellow in Paris. It was simple and powerful and worked every time! Of course it didn’t hurt that they had Lance as their leader, but they depended on each other. Without his team Lance couldn’t have one.   What are you focusing on? Are you spread too thin to be effective, or are you focused on what’s going to make you successful?   Happy networking!   Scott IngramNetworkInAustin.com

Author: Scott Ingram

Nervous Networkers

posted on July 17, 2006

For most of us the hardest part about networking is getting out there and meeting a bunch of strangers. I’ll admit that even I get pretty uncomfortable in a group where I don’t know anybody. Fortunately, the more you network the less often this happens.   What can you do to get past these networking nerves? Obviously the easy answer that doesn’t take any pre-planning is to get over it and just go up and introduce yourself to someone. Typically they’re there for the same reason you are and will be glad to meet you. This can be REALLY easy if you identify the other nervous networkers standing by themselves looking uneasy. You obviously have something in common with them. Then you can help introduce each other to new folks you meet.   The other solution is to bring a networking ally. If you’re planning on going to a new networking event, invite someone you already know who could also benefit from meeting people at that same event. Then help each other. You’ll never experience the uncomfortable feeling of not having anyone to talk to, and you can say really great things about each other and help build credibility for yourselves.   Are you planning on attending a new networking event in the next week or two? Pick up the phone and call a friend who will also get something out of the event. Better yet; call 2 friends!   Happy networking!   Scott Ingram NetworkInAustin.com

Author: Scott Ingram

Multiple Business Categories

posted on July 16, 2006

A long requested feature is now available as part of your NetworkInAustin.com membership. You now have the ability to select multiple business categories to describe your business. This will also improve your changes of being found in our directory. To select  you categories: 1) Login to your account2) Click "Pages of Content"3) Click the "info" button4) Here you will find a list of available Austin Business Categories5) Select away!6) Click "save" Don't forget that the more content you add to your profile the higher your listing position in the Austin Business Directory. So while you're there you might want to consider adding a picture, additional pages, or think about starting that blog to be listed at the very top of the directory. Thank you for your business. Happy networking! Scott IngramNetworkInAustin.com

Author: Scott Ingram

Busines Blogging

posted on July 13, 2006

After just over a year of blogging I’m even more convinced that regular blogging can be one of the most powerful marketing and public relations tool for small business. Even big business... Dell just launched their own blog: One2One. The story behind Dell’s blog is really quite interesting. It’s worth spending a few minutes researching. The Statesman talked about it briefly in yesterday’s business section.   People do business with people, and a good blog gives a business personality. It’s an opportunity to make a more personal connection with your customers and prospective customers beyond the standard: About Us, Products/Services (boring!) information you find on most websites.   Have you started blogging yet? I’m even more excited about the prospects of this blog after the first year. It certainly created some amazing opportunities for me in the first year. Don’t forget, if you’re a member of NetworkInAustin.com you can start your own blog within your account. Plus we’ll help you promote your blog so you get even more traffic.   My good friend Jude Samson just started his own small business blog for Levelfield. Check it out: Clarity – Levelfield’s Small Business Blog. He has a great post on there about building a referral program that’s well worth reading.   Happy networking!   Scott Ingram NetworkInAustin.com

Author: Scott Ingram

The Mommy Network

posted on July 10, 2006

When you think business networking do you think of more formal networking groups and events? Things like Chamber of Commerce mixers and luncheons, or some other type of leads group or referral group?   Networking doesn’t have to be formal, structured or organized at all. Networking takes all shapes and forms. You might even hang out at coffee shops and strike up a conversation with random folks who happen by like my friend Steve Harper “The Starbucks Stalker.”   Really what prompted this post was my wife. She has started developing an incredible network and probably doesn’t even realize she’s networking even though she lives with me. The Mommy Network is a powerful thing. She knows about all the best places to shop, free classes, and baby playgroups in Austin. When one of these babies gets sick you should see the reinforcements that get sent in. E-mails fly with help and advice, and offers of additional assistance abound. It’s unbelievable.   Then last week I witnessed a pretty spectacular event. For one full afternoon our home was turned into a baby food making factory. 5 moms with babies in tow peeled, diced, boiled, blended, sliced and strained 2 months worth of baby food for themselves. Colette now has far more food choice than I do, and I’ve got to tell you first hand that the stuff is awesome! Everyone was sent home with instructions on what could and couldn’t be frozen, and was satisfied having spent a very productive afternoon having a lot of fun together.   It just goes to show you that networks are everywhere. They’re not always about business, but the mommy network definitely means business!   Look around and find the networks that surround you everyday. Looks an awful lot like an opportunity to me.   Happy networking!

Author: Scott Ingram

Leverage your Lunch

posted on July 5, 2006

For many networkers lunch is probably their most productive time of the day. While everyone else is taking a break to eat they’re going to work. It’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it.   Many entrepreneurs, business owners and sales professionals know this and take full advantage of their lunch. Lunch may provide an even greater opportunity for someone looking to advance their career, or trying to find their next job opportunity. Sadly most people will have lunch with the same people, day after day after day. This is truly a missed opportunity.   If you’re looking to advance your career have lunch with people in other areas of your organization. Get together with folks in other departments and learn about what’s happening in other facets of your company. Go to lunch with your superiors and learn to see the enterprise from their perspective. Learn more about those who report to you, or others in the organization and see if there’s a way that you can help them advance their career. You’ll quickly become a more valuable employee with a better understanding of the bigger picture. This will improve your chances of advancement, or at the very least insulate you from the next downsizing event.   Next look outside your organization. Ask your counterpart at a competitor to lunch. Learn about their successes and challenges. See if you can’t build a relationship where you can help each other out. These can be invaluable should you ever find yourself without a job or if a better opportunity presents itself within your industry you’ll be one of the first to know.   This certainly isn’t rocket science, it’s just lunch. Don’t be afraid to ask ANYONE to join you for lunch. You’ll find that you’ll rarely if ever be turned down.   Who are you going to ask to lunch today?   Happy networking!   Scott Ingram NetworkInAustin.com

Author: Scott Ingram