The true power of a robust network - sIMONE dOUGLAS

Introduction

Where can your networks take you and how do you let them
When I’m listening to people, I’m not listening in order to give them an answer, I’m listening so that I can figure out how I can help them. I’m thinking about which networks I have access to, who I know that they could potentially do business with, based on what they’re telling me, and how I can make the connection. For example, I will think about whether there is an event coming up where I can put the two people together in the same place.
 
Once again, it’s about being the connector, and always looking for ways to do that, as opposed to telling people they should listen to you because you’re really special, and that they definitely want to work with you, because you’re really special.
 
You need to genuinely want to know how you can help. So that when somebody provides an opportunity you can see there is some way of actually doing it, as opposed to telling them that you can solve all their problems and then walking away and not actually doing anything about it
 
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

Community as a business is a novel concept, in that the way that we do business is continuing to evolve. We are increasingly abandoning the old model that is based on ‘numbers, numbers, numbers’, ‘win at any cost’, and ‘don’t settle’. 
 
A new way of doing business is emerging, which is based on win-win outcomes, and sometimes settling, and being a good human being. Part of being a good human being is looking to solve people’s problems, barriers, and challenges.

Yes, we all want to have successful businesses, but when you’re coming from the angle of solving other people’s problems, and you’re having a conversation with somebody who has your target market, then it’s exciting to them. It’s innovative and it’s different, so they want to come and play. You can be solving problems that they don’t even necessarily know they have, and at this point one business can seamlessly dovetail with another, which can then dovetail with another.
 
So paying attention to what people are talking about and asking about their goals, dreams, and aspirations, enables you to build a community of like-minded people around you. These people will be excited by the things you care about, and they will be happy to think outside the box. This means you can really create crazy amazing things. Without paying attention, you don’t get to discover that those humans are out there.



Key Issues - Owner Perspective:

1. How do I work my network and access the opportunities that are waiting for myself and my business?
2. What is the secret to having robust networks that really work?
3. What moves do I need to make on the networking chessboard?
4. How do I develop my story telling muscles in a way that really connects?

What You Need to Know - What we will be covering

1. The fundamentals of being a master networker
2. Why you need to help before you ask
3. The story of trust and reward
4. The key things in follow up that really make connections
5. Cross pollination the sleeping giant of networking

 
The first business networks were about creating one-to-one trading connections between companies or individuals.
 
But businesses operating in today’s global, networked economy must connect with a complex and growing web of collaborators – from suppliers and customers to workers and business partners – to compete. They need more than a trading platform between buyer and seller.
 
Thanks to new technologies, like cloud computing, social media, and mobile systems, there is an opportunity to create new destination networks to enable increasing levels of engagement, transparency, collaboration, and trust in the business world.


What you need to do​ today
 

1. Identify your cold contacts and go back and reconnect
2. Find your mentors
3. Make it a practice to help where you can
4. Plan to spend time putting lessons learnt and aha moments into practice.  Let me know how it goes.
5. 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. 

 
Shows
Previous: Episode C4.101
The numbers game - why networking KPIs matter and how to set themWritten by Simone Douglas 
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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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