How to do a network inventory and why it matters - Simone Douglas

Simone Douglas - "Seriously Social"

​Introduction

A well known saying business is ‘ it’s not what you know, it’s who you know ‘.

In today’s climate this is truer than ever before. People are better researched thanks to our ever evolving digital landscape and therefore one of the most integral elements of sales is trust. 

The quickest and most effective way to build trust is for your connections within your network to share with your prospective customers their experience in dealing with you and your business. 

Your reputation is what people will say about you, when you are not there. It stands to reason then that you build a network of connections that like and trust you and will proactively speak highly of you. The problem is that too many business owners think that they have that network when in fact they do not.

There was a study by Harvard Business Review on the power of recommendations. The study found two very interesting things. Firstly, according to Harvard everyone knows 1,000 people. So, think about your connections and now think about who they’re connected to. Secondly, Harvard found that 90% of your customers would recommend you to their connections but only 10% of sales people ask the question.

It is easy to get distracted by all the noise in the business world at large but jump day is your chance to settle in and work on your business and this season on your networks in ways that allow you to make the most of your opportunities today, tomorrow and forever.


IBGR is a global community of commerce committed to your success and our programming is designed to give you the tools and resources as well as the one percenters you might be missing So buckle up because it's time to take an objective look at whether or not you are truly a centre of influence on playing in the outfield.


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​Show Objectives - The Why
The purpose of today’s show is to give you an understanding of just how healthy your networks are in terms of being able to support you in achieving your dreams and aspirations for your business.

By conducting an audit of your existing networks and applying some logic to what you find, you will be in a great position to build these networks and strengthen them in 2021.

Key Issues - Owner Perspective:

1. Do I have networks that work for me or am I swimming in the wrong pond?
2. What are my networking goals
3. How am I proactively engaging my networks before I need their help?
4. Do my networks have the breadth and diversity I need to really find success?

What You Need to Know - What we will be covering

1. The three forms of networking- Operational, Personal and Strategic. How they fit and why they matter
2. How to map out your network of influence- When to do it, How to do it and who to do it with
3. The key things you need to look for in your networking strategy- Networking is a way for one to stay connected to the community or industries you need in order to have the success that you want so what are the key things to look at and schedule in to do it well.
4. How diverse is your network and why does it matter - When it comes to business networking, you never know who people know. One of the important keys to being successful at building a powerful personal network is that of diversity but what kind?
5. How to maintain soft communication and consistent touch points with your professional network. - Your goal right now should be to keep in touch with your professional network and to provide information of value to them that enables you to showcase your expertise without spamming them.

 
 
What you need to do​ today
 

1. Review your contacts and map out your circles of influence and contact spheres
2. Evaluate and document how you engage with your networks and maintain contact
3. Write out your networking strategy for 2021
4. Interrogate your networks diversity and identify how you can start filling in the gaps
5. Keep climbing the mountain, document the different ways you can create 1 on 1 and small group opportunities to connect and build both your networks and those of the people within them
6. Reach out to the important connections you have let fall away and build some bridges
7. Plan to spend time putting lessons learnt and aha moments into practice.  Let me know how it goes.
8. ACT! Nothing changes if you don’t set aside time to make it happen so once you have worked out what you need to do start putting timelines and deliverables on your action plan. Get clear on what you want your customers to feel, what actions you want them to take and what pain points you are here to solve for them.

 
Shows
Previous: Episode C3.012 Season Four Overview  
Next: Episode Season 4 Episode C4.03 Networking through the generations and what you need to know. - How different generations engage and network and what you need to do to be effective


Written by Simone Douglas 
The Publican & Licensee of the Duke of Brunswick Hotel, Executive Director for BNI Adelaide North one of the biggest networking organisations in the world, the driving force behind South Australia’s leading social media agency, Social Media AOK and best-selling author with her first book “Seriously Social – turning your online game into real-world gain”. and  “The Confident Networker”

Simone also serves as Deputy President of the State Chapter Committee South Australia for the Franchise Council of Australia and sits on the Franchise Advisory Council for BNI Australia

You can connect with Simone on any of her seriously social platforms
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