What Does Your Network Look Like?

What is your big goal for 2010? Do you have a bunch of tiny ones? Who are the people who can help you get to where you want to be? Take a hard look at your network and take inventory of the connections you have and note where you need to improve.

 

1. What do you want to learn about? I’ve recognized that I really like learning and the challenge of the graduate education solidified it for me. The MBA from Iowa State University opened my eyes and mind to new concepts, constructs, and a greater appreciation for businesses. I want to learn about how businesses consume professional services and how I can continually add value to the relationship. This will require regular contact with business leaders and asking them to think about their business, history, and goals.
2. Who can connect you to others? This is important as you need to get out of the vacuum and find those people Malcolm Gladwell describes in “The Tipping Point” as connectors who can align relationships. These relationships can be based on school, hobbies, interest, awards, charities, family, worship, or my favorite, exercise. Where else, but exercise, can you share an experience and spend quality time together? Just running for 55 minutes yesterday, I connected with four people that I’ve been planning on talking to about health and nutrition, goal setting, and marketing.
3. How can you make these connections? Here is the tough part. Provide value to make the connection and meeting. Never go into a meeting without a goal of what needs to be accomplished. This little act shows that you are aware that time is valuable and you intend on giving something back for the interaction.
4. What could you give away? This is my Steve Farber-esque “Greater Than Yourself” advice of the day. What is something you’ve learned along the way that could help the connection. Is it an idea, a connection, a referral, business, or advice? Think about it and be prepared to give. People will remember it and it will come back to you greater than you paid out in the first place.

Like Rome, networks aren’t built in a day. I’ve realized value of my networks many times over the years. It is a relationship that is built upon giving, rather than taking. Sharing ideas, contacts, experiences, and goals help create that tie that binds. My freebie for the day: ask someone who is important to you out to breakfast, coffee, lunch, or a drink, and be prepared to ask questions, listen, and learn. Make the engagement about them and see where the opportunities are for you to help. I’ve spent the better part of November doing this, and the value of the shared time, information, inspiration, and energy is fantastic.

#HMDM09

You don’t win if you don’t play and this was definitely the day to play with the players in local and regional technology.

Get your own knuckles at the knuckle tattoo gun.

Highlight Midwest “Big Blimpin'” was a great opportunity to get all of the thought leaders and business drivers in the same building to chat about ideas, opportunities, markets, and collaboration around technology. From the newest start-ups to 103 year-old companies, everyone was engaged and excited to talk about business. I’m most excited to check out the day’s interviews with Andy and Doug at http://managingtheedge.com/

Senator Charles Grassley joined the fun, met the attendees and gave opening remarks, I thought his presence added a level of credibility and visibility to the day.

I was honored to be a part of the team and thought it was a great new event to usher into the community. Kudos to the following tweeps for making it happen today – @jensenrf @rendadmregister @benstone @benfromgog @mikesansone @admavericks @smash50309 @tomflynn3 @catchfiremedia @shanereiser @justbrady @richdrake @bretttrout @davisbrownlaw @smartkindling @clairecelsi @doug_mitchell @andybrudtkuhl … and the tons of others I met and networked with – sorry if I neglected you on the list!

Networking Critical Mass

Look at my tags for this post on networking – advertising – branding – events – public relations – strategy – they all apply to getting out and involved.

Reading Mary Gottschalk’s Guest Opinion in this week’s Business Record about no-pressure networking reminded me of the power of relationships. I’ve been fortunate to build strong relationships across the business community through my passions of bike racing, running and triathlons. It helps me find a peer group to have a good time with, but also bounce business and networking ideas as well. Go where the rest of the business people are is the subtle advice – if they run – run with them.

Run with the leaders, influencers and connectors.

It also stimulated a brainstorm of how to add value to networking events.

I’ve been a regular at the Downtown Council presented by the Des Moines Downtown Chamber of Commerce meetings for almost a year now and call it my mega-networking meeting. Not only do I get the opportunity to socialize, but I meet important new people who can help drive the marketing and business development functions.

What can you do to add value to meetings like this? Consider volunteering and inviting others to participate. If you become an advocate and evangelist, others will definitely notice. Do you have a skill set you’d like to develop? Unleash it and see what you can do to build on that networking critical mass.

Once you’ve got it started, then apply the magic to other groups in the community and you’re bound to be noticed.

Check out the Des Moines Downtown Chamber of Commerce and upcoming Downtown Council meetings on Facebook.