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 Business Networking in Austin Blog
By: Scott Ingram
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Keeping Tabs on Your Network - LinkedIn 
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
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. | Austin Business Bloggers 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 | Are You a Good Networker?
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.
Happy Networking!
Scott Ingram
| Catherine Jewell's Networking Tip  | | Catherine Jewell |
This 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 Ingram
NetworkInAustin.com | The Correct Way to Network 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 Ingram
NetworkInAustin.com
| Be Authentic and Honest 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 Ingram
NetworkInAustin.com
P.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.
| Be Different! This week's networking tip was contributed by Steve Harper, auther of "The Ripple Effect: Maximizing the Power of Relationships for Life and Business"
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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.
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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 Ingram
NetworkInAustin.com | Congratulations Thom Singer!  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.com
Happy networking!
Scott Ingram
NetworkInAustin.com | Networking and Blogging, Blogging and Networking 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 Networking
Happy Networking!
Scott Ingram
NetworkInAustin.com | What do you do? Are you as tired of this line as I am? I'm tired of hearing it, I'm tired of asking it. I think it's time, as a networking community, that we try and move beyond this overused question.
I asked my friend, Steve Harper, to post his insights about this very topic on his blog: The Ripple Effect. He was kind enough to oblige and wrote: "Dippy Do & Networking TOO - COME ON ORIGINALITY....WHERE HAVE YOU GONE?" Thank you Steve for taking the time to do this for me.
Steve is also the auther of the book The Ripple Effect which is available to NetworkInAustin.com members at a discount on our book list. I highly recommend Steve's book. It'll give you some good insights into the relationship aspect of networking, and will show you that what comes around goes around even in business.
So... What do you do?
The real problem with this line is that it does nothing to move us in the direction of a personal connection with the person we've just met. Really all it does is opens the door for a canned and over used elevator speech. Yuck!
What we're really trying to do is to open the door into this persons world. Who are they? Why are they here? What is the meaning of life? Getting to something personal is what you're really trying to uncover. This is easier to do if you do as Steve suggests and don't take yourself or networking so seriously.
Now I'm not suggesting that you avoid the topic of business completely. It's still important and that's probably why you're there at a networking event in the first place. What I'm suggesting is that you move beyond and outside of business to learn something REAL about your new friend. You don't need to be pushy and overzealous. Just let the conversation develop naturally. I think you'll find that you're able to develop better rapport and more trust by taking this approach. Keep this up and more business won't be far behind.
Happy networking!
Scott Ingram
NetworkInAustin.com | Questions: A Powerful Networking Tool I've just returned from vacation with Emily. After a couple of days in Cleveland, OH for her cousin's wedding we visited with Emily's parents outside of Syracuse, NY. On our way to the airport we stopped at a Chinese restaurant for dinner. I actually got a descent fortune from my fortune cookie:
"Questions provide the key to unlocking our unlimited potential."
Wow! A fortune cookie that gives networking advice.
Questions are a truly powerful tool when it comes to building good solid relationships.
In Dale Carnegie's book: How to Win Friends & Influence People Mr. Carnegie tells us that to become a good conversationalist we must listen. He tells a story about being at a party and having a conversation with someone. In that conversation all he really does is listen. Later, this person describes him as a great conversationalist.
The secret is active listening, and questions are the key ingredient to ative listening. Through questions we can learn all sorts of things about someone. Not only will you learn more about the person you're networking with, they'll also think more highly of you since you're genuinely interested in them.
The best way to do this is by asking open ended questions that can't be answered by a simple yes or no. Get them talking. Learn about them, their background, their family, etc.
Ask good questions and unlock your own unlimited potential.
Happy networking!
Scott Ingram
NetworkInAustin.com | | |
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