Business Networking Tips in "business book authors"

You Can't Build a House, or a Business, Without a Foundation (Guest Post by: Ragen Chastain)

posted on July 13, 2009

Ragen Chastain Disorganized business owners lose money. As business owners it seems like we concentrate as much time, effort, and money as humanly possible on sales and marketing.  And that makes sense…that’s where the money comes from.  Let me be clear that I am not knocking sales and marketing – in fact, I’m currently working with Pete Monfre of Clarity Marketing (www.claritymarketingsupport.com) on my own strategy.  (By the way, Pete is a genius and is helping me with many things including creating a new logo, improving my website and designing book covers that are a lot more fabulous, so keep your eye out!) Unfortunately, what many business owners end up learning the hard way is that administrative systems form the foundation of their business.   Just like a house, it’s pretty impossible to create a business without a foundation. It doesn’t matter how many people you meet networking if you can’t keep track of them.  It doesn’t matter how many referrals you get if you don’t follow up with them.  It doesn’t matter how many sales you make if you can’t fulfill the orders.  It doesn’t matter how many orders you fulfill if you don’t invoice.  It doesn’t matter how many invoices you send …ok, you get the picture. Organizational systems do NOT stand over you with a big hammer and beat you up (”It’s not GOOD enough!”  “You have to FILE!” etc.).  Organizational systems sit underneath you and support you in everything that you do.  They are how you know that you won’t lose that business card, that you will remember to follow up with that prospect, that you have invoiced all of your clients,  that you can fax that document to someone as soon as you get back to the office (without having to launch a search party in your garage to find it).  So how do you build the foundation under the house? Create and institute your systems one at a time, over time.  Rome was not built in a day and your organization systems won’t be either.  For many people summer is the slow time in their business.  Consider using this slowdown as a time to create the systems and processes that will support you when things pick up in the fall.  Brainstorm a list of all of the things that you do and start creating simple systems to make sure that you don’t miss steps or lose out on opportunities. I have books  and workshops (www.renegadeorganizer.com) coming up to help you do this in what I think is the fastest, easiest, most common sense way possible; but there are lots of options out there so find what works best for you and create a strong foundation so that your business can grow as big and as fast as you can imagine! --- Ragen Chastain has spent over 14 years working in administration and organization consulting with all types and sizes of businesses. She started The Renegade Organizer in 2004 to get the information that I had discovered about organization out to the people who could really use it. She's published two books "The Renegade Organizer's Easy Guide to Paper Management" and "Simple Systems for a Complicated World". She also does workshops, master classes, corporate training and one-on-one consulting. Renegade Organizing is a simple, realistic system that allows people to create organization in every aspect of their lives based on their own personality and work-style. Typically she works with people who are: Tired of leaving money on the table because of lost business cards, lost opportunities, and wasted time. Ready to shatter the myths that are keeping them stuck in a constant state of clutter, disorganization, and frustration. Exhausted from trying everything there is and sure that they just aren't "organized people" and never will be.

Author: Scott Ingram

Keeping Tabs on Your Network - LinkedIn

posted on July 3, 2007

In my experience the hardest part of keeping up with those in your network is job movement. Much of the time all of the contact information I have for a particular individual is 100% related to their job. Company name, work phone number and a work e-mail address. If they leave that job I suddenly have no way to reach them.   Job changes happen ALL the time! I don't know exactly what the statistic is these days, but I'm sure it's safe to say that the average tenure at one company is only 3-5 years. So how on earth do you figure out where these people in your network went if they change jobs and you don't have any relevant contact information?   The answer is LinkedIn. One of the most valuable things about LinkedIn for me is also one of the simplest. It's the notification that someone has added a new position or made another change to their profile. The other side of the coin is important also. If you change jobs you want your network to know that you've made the move. All you have to do is update your profile on LinkedIn and notify all of your connections.   If you're not already on LinkedIn, then please setup an account today. It's free and a very valuable service. You can find some great information about how best to use LinkedIn on Scott Allen's Blog: LinkedIntelligence. I have another friend who is in the process of writing a book about how best to used LinkedIn that I'll let you know about as soon as it comes out.   To get the most out of LinkedIn you'll want to connect with those in your network (this is what LinkedIn is all about).   Finally, make sure that your profile is up to date and that your correct e-mail address is listed so you can be contacted by those in your network.   LinkedIn is a great tool. Like any tool, it only works if you use it. If you're not on LinkedIn spend 20 minutes and setup an account, start your profile and make a few connections. If you're already on LinkedIn spend 20 minutes learning how to better use it, or make a few more connections.   Happy Networking!   Scott Ingram NetworkInAustin.com   P.S. If we're not already connected on LinkedIn you can find my profile here: Scott Ingram's LinkedIn Profile. Please only make a connection request if we actually know each other. I do not connect randomly to people I haven't met (we're not actually part of each others network). Of course those situations can be corrected if you reach out and work to build a relationship with me.

Author: Scott Ingram

Austin Business Bloggers

posted on January 5, 2007

Thanks to a terrific business blogger who doesn't even live in Austin a new group was formed over dinner at Guerro's last night. Thanks to the initiative of Jason Alba, founder of JibberJobber.com, 5 of us got together for some great food, networking and of course lively discussion and debate about blogging. Jason was on vacation in Houston, but went out of his way to connect face to face with just a few of the bloggers he's been networking with all over the country (The most important ones, the ones in Austin). This guy has taken blogger networking to a whole new level. Thanks to Thom Singer who suggest we do this regularly the Austin Business Bloggers Club was born. We're hoping to include a few more local business bloggers at next months dinner. For those of you who fit the profile; consider this an open invitation. The founders of this new group are pictured above. From left to right: Jason Alba - JibberJobber Blog I'll be talking more about JibberJobber.com very soon. For a sneak peak take a look at his website and read his blog. This is especially valuable if you're looking for your next job. Thom Singer - Some Assembly Required The 'other' must read networking blog here in Austin. This is my personal favorite blog, and not just because Thom and I are good friends. His posts are quick, concise and always on point. That Scott Ingram guy. Liz Handlin - Ultimate Resumes Meeting Liz was a blast. I've just started reading her blog, and again if you're a job seeker this is an excellent read. She is unbelievably passionate about what she does. She's about a lot more than just a great resume. Scott Allen - The Virtual Handshake Blog & Linked Intelligence This was my second chance to get some face time with Scott and it's always a learning experience. Scott is clearly the most prolific writer in the group with multiple blogs and books. The Austin Business Bloggers Club will meet regularly on the first Monday of each month for dinner at Guerro's starting at 5:30pm. Details will be provided on the calendar of NetworkInAustin.com Happy Networking (and Blogging)! Scott Ingram NetworkInAustin.com

Author: Scott Ingram

Are You a Good Networker?

posted on November 13, 2006

Find out by learning your own Networking Quotient or NQ.   Thom Singer has gone and done it again with the Networking Quotient Quiz. After answering 30 questions you’ll be able see where you are with your networking skills. The final report will even show you how you compare to others who have taken the quiz.   Just taking the quiz will help you discover areas where you can improve your networking efforts. Encourage your co-workers to take the quiz as well and compare your scores. You can all help each other on the path to becoming great networkers.   All of the questions are based on concepts covered in Thom’s book: “Some Assembly Required: How to Make, Grow and Keep Your Business Relationships.” So if you haven’t already read Thom’s book and you find some value in taking his quiz then you’ll really enjoy the book.   Click here to take the Networking Quotient quiz now!   Happy Networking!   Scott Ingram NetworkInAustin.com

Author: Scott Ingram

Catherine Jewell's Networking Tip

posted on January 4, 2006

Catherine JewellThis week's networking tip was submitted by: Catherine Jewell of Work Dharma Consulting Thank you Catherine for such a great tip. I couldn't have said it any better myself: "When networking in a professional association, be sure to show up 6-8 months in a row, before you expect results. After meeting you a few times, people will begin to warm up and share really meaningful information – some of which might provide business for you. A good goal is to have three meaningful conversations per meeting. Thoughtfully exchange cards and do some follow up – a personal note or email. Do this over the course of a year, and you have 36 new business associates!" If you'd like to submit a networking tip for an upcoming Weekly Referral Newsletter, please send it to: info@networkinaustin.com Archives of the Weekly Referral Newsletter are available on the Networking Resources page. Happy networking! Scott IngramNetworkInAustin.com

Author: Scott Ingram

The Correct Way to Network

posted on October 26, 2005

There isn't one single 'right' way to network.I was fortunate enough to meet Scott Allen last night. Scott is the co-author of a new book called “The Virtual Handshake” which discusses online and electronic networking. He is also the entrepreneurs guide on About.com (www.virtualhandshake.com and entrepreneurs.about.com). Lucky for us Scott lives here in Austin.Scott and I had a great conversation about what’s missing from a lot of networking books. That is the fact that there isn’t just one way to network. What might be the perfect method for one person might be totally wrong for the next and vice versa. The best strategy is one that helps you accomplish your networking goals. Whether that’s to land a new job, get more clients, get funding for your new venture or even to make some new friends. Think about what different strategies would be most effective in helping you accomplish that goal. For instance… It might make the most sense for one person to build very strong and deep relationships with 8-10 targeted individuals for them to accomplish their long term networking goals. It might make more sense for another person to cast as wide a net as possible and build a vast network of thousands of contacts to reach their networking goal. It all comes down to each particular individual and their needs.What do you need? Is your networking strategy really helping you accomplish your networking goals?Happy networking!Scott IngramNetworkInAustin.com

Author: Scott Ingram

Be Authentic and Honest

posted on October 21, 2005

Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting Dean Lindsay, the author of “Cracking the Networking CODE.” Dean had invited me to hear him speak to the Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives (TCCE). We were able to sit down for about an hour before the event to get to know each other and share our philosophies.Dean’s primary business is an organization he founded called Progress Agents. He spends most of his time speaking to groups and doing workshops in the areas of sales, marketing and customer service. When I asked him how he got into that business and how all of this ties together his one word for me was “Communication.” He then went on to say that what he teaches is Authentic and Honest Communication.He is so right about these to elements. It’s the authentic and honest networkers who get the best results. They’re able to quickly build rapport with just about anyone, and for them it’s usually a pretty short trip from rapport to trust. Trust being the key ingredient needed before any referrals are likely to be given.This caused me to think about great sales people. In my opinion the best sales person is the one who whole heartedly believes in the product he or she is selling. It’s that belief that allows them to communicate their sales message and be 100% authentic and honest in their communication. We all have a sixth sense about someone’s authenticity and honesty. We don’t always recognize it for what it is, but it’s what causes us to trust this person and makes us willing to buy from them.This is certainly true for me personally. I know, unfortunately from experience, that I absolutely cannot sell anything that I don’t completely believe in.Personally I love the fact that being authentic and honest get such great results. Why? Because it’s so easy. In order for me to get the very best results all I have to do is be ME. I can do that. I know that you can too.Happy Networking!Scott IngramNetworkInAustin.comP.S. You can learn more about Dean Lindsay and his book at: www.progressagents.com.I’ll also post a review of Dean’s book in the not too distant future.

Author: Scott Ingram

Be Different!

posted on October 12, 2005

This week's networking tip was contributed by Steve Harper, auther of "The Ripple Effect: Maximizing the Power of Relationships for Life and Business"---Here's what Steve has to say about being different:Set yourself apart from 99% of the people that attend the ho hum networking events and connect with the individual as a person before exploring what the person does or promoting yourself or your company. One of the fun questions I like to throw at people when I am at a networking event is “So, what would you be doing if you weren’t doing what you are doing now?” Two great results happen from this question: First, the hardcore networkers that have really zero interest in getting to know you (for you) will actually have a brain freeze. They won’t know how to respond and it allows you to know pretty quickly that this person isn’t someone to be spending time with. Second, for someone that really isn’t all about business, you will pleasantly change their state, cause them to stop and think and you will be amazed at the answers you will get. You will find you can get some incredibly insightful responses that will allow you to perhaps get a glimpse into the person as a person, not just what they do for a living.Their answer may open up a richer more meaningful channel of conversation. When and if that happens, it will make the connection for business later on that much easier and rewarding.---Thanks Steve! If you're a member of NetworkInAustin.com you can take advantage of Steve's member to member discount and get a copy of his book for only $17.95. Details are available on the NetworkInAustin.com Book List page.Happy Networking!Scott IngramNetworkInAustin.com

Author: Scott Ingram

Congratulations Thom Singer!

posted on September 26, 2005

I've been fortunate enough over the past few months to get to know Thom Singer. Last week I had the pleasure of being one of the first people to purchase (in person) Thom's new book "Some Assembly Required: How to Make, Grow and Keep Your Business Relationships."I'll be talking about Thom's book more in a later post, after I read it a second time. Fortunately it's a quick read and I know I'll get even more out of it reading it again.I have a huge amount of respect for those who undertake the huge challenge of writing a book. Actually finishing that project and having a book in hand is incredible. Congratulations Thom!You can get your own copy of Thom's book at: www.ThomSinger.comHappy networking!Scott IngramNetworkInAustin.com

Author: Scott Ingram

Networking and Blogging, Blogging and Networking

posted on August 28, 2005

Last week my friend, Thom Singer, asked me to be a guest blogger on his Business Development / Networking Blog.The guest blogger concept is something Thom is planning on doing every Friday. I think this is an incredible idea. I talk about why in my guest post on Thom's blog: Networking and Blogging, Blogging and NetworkingHappy Networking!Scott IngramNetworkInAustin.com

Author: Scott Ingram