I’ve spent a considerable amount of time lately in looking at networking, or “leads”, groups around the country and kind of evaluating what they are doing and how that might work in with some of the things we might wish to do with NetWorks!. Certainly, there are a lot of different formats to choose from and most of those can be found right here in Boise, Idaho. I thought it might be beneficial to discuss the varying anatomy of such groups. Continue reading “Business-Social Networking Groups”
Category: NetWorks! Boise
What Constitutes A Really Hot Lead?
I got a call from a colleague last night and he was lamenting to me about how the leads he is getting from his current group are just not up to standards. Fact is, I’d let him in but his industry is already taken in our lunch group. Maybe the breakfast group that I plan to launch in September? (smile)
As we talked the discussion covered a number of other topics relating to leads groups in general. These included many of the typical challenges that I am all too familiar with: people not showing up, folks not bringing leads, leads that people bring are sub-standard at best. More of a social gathering vs. a business meeting. At NetWorks! we have a cure for that problem. We encourage those folks to find a group that may be more suited for their needs. Mind you, these are all great people and with great businesses. The simple fact is that NetWorks! is not for everybody. Continue reading “What Constitutes A Really Hot Lead?”
NetWorks! – All About Results
NetWorks! means ROI. More importantly, it means maximizing that magical equation. In order to fully understand this concept we must be first willing to accept that there is a difference between an expense and an investment. When we expense something we expect to receive something of equal value in return. However, with an investment we reasonably expect to get back much more. We anticipate the “gift that keeps on giving”. That, my friend, is ROI. That, my friend, is NetWorks!
Let me ask you a few simple questions. Do you go to a restaurant for lunch two or more times per week? If you “brown bag” it….would you like to be able to eat out (smile)? When you do go out to lunch, would you classify that as an expense or as an investment? Certainly, if you are taking a client to lunch, I would call that an investment. Even better, half that lunch date, per IRS rules, may be tax deductible. Continue reading “NetWorks! – All About Results”
NetWorking – Striking Your Balance
If you have never been to this site before, let’s just say that I am a traditional networker trying to find his way in a new fangled electronic world. Most of this blog is devoted to that journey. And, make no mistake, I am a huge believer in networking and close to 100% of my client base is connected in one way or another to creating, nurturing, and building these types of relationships. Now, more than ever, there are a lot of ways out there to connect with others. So, how to strike a balance?
Business-Social Leads Groups (business emphasis): Perhaps the traditional networker’s most widely recognized tool of trade. I have been involved in these since the early 90’s and still maintain relationships that began that same long time ago. I am not making this up, I have sold millions of dollars worth of signs as a direct result of relationships that began in these same groups. Relationships that continue today. I am such a huge believer in these organizations that I created one that meets my exacting specifications for the leads group fueled by steroids …. NetWorks! (smile). NetWorks! fulfills what I like to call the business-social segment of networking. We are social but, the focus is on business. Just this week, I was presented with a ground floor opportunity to further present the sign aspect of my business to a very targeted and lucrative market. The offer came from a gentleman who was a member of my leads group some 16 years ago. This type of networking is best designed for those of us who are comfortable with being considered as carnivorous by nature (smile). Continue reading “NetWorking – Striking Your Balance”
A Traditional NetWorkers Journey Into Web 2.0 Social Media
This is my first blog ever. I think I have posted to a blog once. A little background might be helpful. I have been in B2B sales for over 30 years. I have been a strong practicing believer in traditional networking for over 20 years. Of my current client base, over 90% of my clients have been as the result of some sort of networking relationship in the past. I have been fortunate enough to have sold millions and millions of dollars in products as a result of these relationships.
I currently own and operate a traditional networking group called NetWorks! One of my goals for the group is to provide it’s members with opportunities to network outside of our group format. Which brings me to here. Continue reading “A Traditional NetWorkers Journey Into Web 2.0 Social Media”