Most people network because they're looking for some type of referral. I use the term referral generically, because there are several different types of referrals that vary in quality and value. The most basic form of referral is a sales lead. Personally I find these to be the most frustrating type of referral. Typically a lead consists of a name and contact information of someone who might need what you offer. In most cases it would be inappropriate for you to use the name of the person who gave you the lead. Meaning that this sales lead isn't much better than a cold call. It may have a little more value depending on the information you receive from the referrer. The lead may prove to be better qualified than a random cold call you might make. True referrals vary in quality. At the very least it would be an improved lead where you are given the name and contact information for a prospect, and permission to use the referrer's name. A better referral would one where the referrer talked to the referee about you. That way they're at least expecting your call, and probably know a little bit about you and your capabilities. The best referrals include some type of introduction. Whether it be a simple virtual introduction via e-mail to a professional in person introduction. We all love referrals. For many of us our businesses wouldn't exist without these personal recommendations and introductions. As much as I like referrals, I truly love making connections. In my opinion helping someone make a connection, if done correctly, is the highest form of referral. When I help someone make a connection I'm introducing two people who probably wouldn't otherwise meet, who can massively impact each other. For example, I recently introduced someone who represents a company that sells and services copiers and printers to another gentleman who provides IT services. They were a perfect fit, and are able to refer substantial business back and forth. Connections are the referrals that keep on giving. This week think about 2-3 people who've recently helped you. Help them to make some connections. Most of the time they'll be so thankful they won't know what to do for you... That's why you'll need to stay tuned for my next post about asking for what you need. Happy networking! Scott IngramNetworkInAustin.com

Super Bowl XL was last night. Advertisers paid between $2.5 and $2.6 Million Dollars for 30 seconds. Can you imagine writing a check like that...Pay to the order of: ABC$2,500,000.00 Now that's a lot of zeros to write on a check! $5 Millions Dollars an hour isn't too shabby. Maybe we're not charging enough for memberships here on NetworkInAustin.com? With very few exceptions I actually watch the Super Bowl for the commercials. That and it makes for a good excuse to drink beer, and eat food that I really shouldn't eat. As a guy who invested over 3 hours in watching commercials on a Sunday night I must say that I was disappointed. Most of the commercials were pretty lame at best. Although I will admit that I liked the Budweiser commercial with the Clydesdale pony who secretly got a little help from some more experienced friends. I feel like that pony a lot of the time. All of this got me to thinking. These companies are spending two and a half million dollars just for the air time of these commercials. That doesn't include the creative work, talent, production costs, etc. This probably means that the average 30 second spot is costing between $3 Million and $4 Million Dollars. Is it worth it? Probably not, I don't even remember 90% of the commercials. Those that I do remember don't make me any more likely to buy the product. I'm certainly not planning on buying a Whopper because a bunch of women dressed like hamburger parts jumped on top of each other. What if these companies invested that money in relationships? How much could you do for your top customers with 3 Million bucks? I'll bet you could setup one heck of a referral program with that kind of dough. Happy networking! Scott IngramNetworkInAustin.com

One of the things I hope to talk about more this year is job networking. If you’re reading this blog you’ve probably already experienced the power of using your network to find a job, or maybe a better job found you because of your network.   To kick off this new job networking category on my blog I’ve recruited the poster child of career networking to help me. Tom Matula has done the best job of anyone I’ve ever seen work on networking his way to a new job. I’m a little surprised that a very smart company hasn’t snapped Tom up already, but he started from a pretty disadvantaged position. He was brand new to Austin and had to build his network from scratch! That’s no small undertaking, and I applaud Tom for his efforts. He’s done a great job so far.   Tom has written 2 articles about his quest so far:   Career Networking for Introverts - Part 1: The AwakeningCareer Networking for Introverts - Part 2: Plan of Attack   In addition Tom has started his own blog here on NetworkInAustin.com: Career Networking for Introverts Blog   For the most part I’m going to let Tom serve as the career networking education section for me. His insights are going to be far more relevant than mine since they’re real world based. I can really only comment on my observations of others. Of course, you can bet that I’ll occasionally make reference to some of the posts on Tom’s blog.   One more thing. Tom IS looking for a job. Read what he has to say, and if you know of any opportunities that would be a good fit for him, then please pass that information on to Tom. Networking is about helping other people. I hope you’ll help me help Tom. He’s certainly been a great asset for me in the few short months that I’ve known him.   Happy networking!   Scott Ingram NetworkInAustin.com

I had a really interesting conversation with someone I respect very much earlier this week. He's a much more experienced father than I, and we were talking about raising kids. He told me that'd he'd recently read that as much as we try and teach our kids right and wrong and help them make good decisions we don't necessarily have as much of an impact as we would hope. In fact, the single thing that has the biggest impact on kids as they grow up is their peer group. Talk about an 'aha' moment. This is not just true when we're kids, but throughout our lives. I thought back through my own history and upbringing, and know this has been absolutely consistent throughout my life. In the periods of my life where I made poor decisions and did rather stupid things I was ALWAYS with other kids who regularly acted this way. At the times that I was at my best I was closest to others who were at the top of their game as well. The more I think about it the more I realize how much of an impact this has at any stage of our lives. No wonder the stereotype of folks in nursing homes is that of bitter, cranky old people. That's what they're around. I'm sure I've read it several times before, I just can't recall where, that we will become just like the people we're closest to. If we're aware of how significant of an impact our peer group has on us we can make this concept of proximity work in our favor. Your networking efforts will give you a chance to meet some very successful people, and probably a lot of not so successful people. Surround yourself with those who are successful. If you're new to business and/or networking don't surround yourself with people who are down on themselves, their abilities, and their prospects. Otherwise you will become them. Surround yourself with success and you will become successful. Over the last few months I've made a very conscious effort to surround myself with doers. People who don't stand around talking about what should be done. Rather, people who go out and get things done. These are the networkers who do what they say they're going to do, are where they say they're going to be, and are always committed for the long haul. Think about your current peer group. Who are the 6 or 8 people that you spend the most time with. If you were like them would that be ok? If so, congratulations! You're primed for success. If not it might be time to re-evaluate who you are letting influence you whether your conscious of it or not. Happy networking! Scott IngramNetworkInAustin.com