Networking

In our BNI Business Builders Network we learn about a concept of "Givers Gain". As you meet with people in your sphere of influence, you will never go wrong determining how to help that person. So instead of being interesting in your communication - be interested in the other person.

Instead of asking what can you do for me, determine what you can do for them.

Sounds easy enough, but in our "me first" society - we all think from our own perspective - it is a learned process to "Put yourself in their shoes". So instead of asking what can I get out of this relationship, we should be thinking what can I give into this relationship.

Organizing your thoughts to maximize your opportunity to help is critical. Here are five thingsyou gan expand upon.

1. Goals- Goals are the personal or business objectives you want or need to meet for yourself or forthe people who are important to you. You need to define your goals and have a clear picture of the other person's goals. The best way to improve a relationship with someone is to assist them in meeting or reaching their goals.

2. Accomplishments- Peopl lie to talk about the thingtheyare proud of. Remember,some of your best insight on helping others is determining what goals they have already accomplished. Your knowledge. skills, experience and value can be surmised from your accomplishmnets and acheivements. Be ready to share your accomplismens with the people you meet,and open the door for communication to determine their accomplishment.

3. Interests- Your interests make it easy to connect with other people who have similar interests. Interests can be sports, animals, travel things you enjoy doing. People like to spend time with other people with common interests. It is so much esier to talk to people, and strengthen relationships, when you have common agreements in what you find interesting.


4. Networks- Determining you who you know that can help someone is of utmost importance in maximizing the mutual benefit of your relationship. You have many networks, both formal and informal- it could be an organization, team, individual, institution or company with which you connect. Cross network referring is powerful.

5. Skills - the more you know about the talents and capabilities of the people in your network the better equipped you are to find and refer to people competent affordable products and services when the need arises. Share your skills.

Remember this - people dont just care about what you know, they want to know how much you care.