Checking-in with your friends and business associates is a checking account when you use checking-in as making deposits in the lives of others and as a way of staying in touch with people long before you need a favor.
I am constantly amazed by the number of people that attempt to ask for favors such as referrals, invitations, recommendations or your time for breakfast, lunch or dinner… or a request of mentoring them out of the blue.
Recently, I got a telephone call from a young lady I had not heard from in many, many months even years. She called to ask for a telephone number of a mutual friend/business associate of someone I introduced her to three years prior. She needed someone to assist her in the area of office administration. She never acknowledged the official business introduction with a thank you note, or verbal thank you. She actually called and asked if she could make an appointment with me to pick my brain. I thought, "Yuk! You want to pick my brain for more resources and information and you've yet to acknowledge the gift of my resources from three years ago."
I'm sure you have experienced similar situations you could share as well. However, do not fret, if you've mastered your checking account you can certainly master some additional networking techniques and share with others how to make deposits into the lives of others before making withdrawals.
Rule No. 1
No deposits, will "always" equal no withdrawals. If you have not made any deposits into the lives of others, don't attempt to ask for favors upon first meeting someone, or from friends and business associates you've not been in touch with over a period of time. Pick up the phone just to check in or send a "thinking of your note or a not so popular holiday card." Let others know that you care. It's not wise to call people out of the clear blue sky with a request or favor.
Rule No. 2
Too many withdrawals can lead to a bad track record and more specifically "Bankrupt Relationships!" People may not make mention of not wanting to be in touch but they do have a way of avoiding you like a plague. It remains the apropos slogan of SuccessNet, "Giver's Gain!"
Rule No. 3
Many deposits with fewer withdrawals can improve your bank rating which makes you an asset to others and not a liability.
Ms. Smallwood-McKenzie is a Networking Coach is Los Angeles and the Author of "The 101 Commandments of Networking: Common Sense But Not Common Practice," enjoy a Free Preview compliments of 101NetworkingCommandments.com or visit Amazon.com to read Customer Reviews of this guide. Her email address is Janice@101NetworkingCommandments.com.
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