Network Of Business Associates For The Opportunity Entrepreneur Get Rich With The Right People

Writen by Martin Thomas

Entrepreneurs need like minded individuals to learn from and relate to. You can learn an enormous amount from mingling with other opportunity entrepreneurs. This also serves to become a source of profit and revenue too as members of the network pass on lucrative deals that they can't currently take on due to existing commitments.

If you value a network of business associates then there is plenty of opportunity to develop contacts within your own sphere of specialization. Opportunity investment is a vast and broad umbrella term that composes of many different industries. Its true that real estate is what opportunity investors most often specialize in, however even in real estate you are free to specialize in segments like developing land, house rehab, commercial and a dozen other broad categories.

To establish connections within your own sphere of specialization is very advantageous, but they don't have to be opportunity investors to be of value as a contact. For example, I particularly like yacht's and marine assets of all sizes and descriptions. Many from my network are simply knowledgeable and honest sales staff and sales managers of marine brokerages. They often inform me of deals going that are worth looking into. I also belong to several yacht clubs and associations. Often just getting involved in the places assets are occasionally disposed of is a great place to find the opportunities you need to build your bank balance.

However the main point is to specialize and develop contacts within that particular niche.

To develop these contacts its crucial to establish a working rapport that expressly exists to serve both parties. Simply grooming these contacts for long term benefit is your main goal, however social friendships can and often do develop as is the case with my network. I have a loose affiliation with over 40 different individuals and groups that makes it a hectic day even on a quiet day. I have 5 particular friends (including my brother in the group) that meets every weekend on my Cruiser for beers and interaction. Business and pleasure, followed by a round of golf. These particular associates were always friends in the first place so they are very trusted. We all came up together, so a network helped me personally enormously.

Martin Thomas (c)2005

Martin is a professional investor and Entrepreneur. If you would like to discover more about being an entrepreneur, you can read "The Million Dollar Mentor" by Hayden Muller. Martin recommends this work highly and has used the very concepts contained in the work for his own successful entrepreneurial activities. http://www.opportunity-investor.com

Effective Networking Four Communication Missteps That Scream Failure

Writen by Melissa Wadsworth

It's frustrating. You're attending all the right networking events and industry meetings, but something is not clicking. Your new business prospect list is not growing. The phone is not ringing with networking follow-up calls.

The problem may be your communication style. From time to time, we all get caught up in our own business goals and lose sight of the point of any communication – the exchange of information. Developing a comfortable self-awareness can be your biggest networking ally. So watch for the four primary networking missteps that can prevent you from being as effective a networker as you'd like.

1. Mixed Messaging. Sometimes we think that we're sending one message, when our attitude and words actually say something else altogether. So be clear about the business message you want to send. State it to yourself prior to your one-minute elevator speech at a networking event. Rehearse a second, more casual but concise, business definition for unstructured networking opportunities. If you aren't convinced, no one else will be. For instance, I recently concluded that trying to promote a skill I no longer enjoyed was hampering my networking success. Once I got clear about this it was much easier to clearly position and promote the skills I was passionate about expanding.


2. Inappropriate Response-itis. It happens all the time. I see it in networking, during client meetings and in marketing strategies. You state your key business message and then you fail to respond appropriately to the input or response that you receive. Maybe you keep trying to make the same point over and over (only slightly restating your initial point). Perhaps you are racing ahead in your mind thinking about what you want to say next rather than listening to what is being said to you. You see someone else you "must" talk to and your attention is compromised. In any communication, it is vital to really listen. Process the response you receive and make it part of your own response. For instance, responses that indicate active listening include: "I'm glad to hear you say that..." "That's an interesting point because…" Give and take, rather than one-sided promotion, is the only way to move conversation forward in a manner that is respectful to both parties.
   
   

   A bad case of inappropriate response-itis: I recently inquired about a business service. Despite the fact that I told the sales representative exactly what information I needed in order to make a buying decision, the sales representative kept responding with what sounded like "scripted" responses. After a few minutes it was evident that this person did not know how to go off script to close the sale or to actually respond to my questions. Stay flexible. Listen and let the verbal cues you receive determine your contribution to the conversation.



3. Body Language Blocks. Effective business networking also entails watching for body language cues. If you feel your message is being "blocked," look to see if the person you're talking to has their arms crossed in a determined manner. Watch for such cues and use your own body language to positively reinforce your message. If someone is presenting such a closed body posture keep your posture relaxed and open. Use hand gestures with your palms upward. In a friendly manner probe to find out what interests them or is important to them. People like to talk about themselves and they want to know their needs are heard. When both yours and their body language is relaxed and respectful (e.g. making good eye contact) your business message has much more chance of coming across successfully.


4. Missing Message Confirmation. This may seem obvious, but often it's easy to forget to confirm that your key networking message was clearly received. For instance, you can reinforce your business message during networking by saying, "Now that I've told you all about my marketing expertise in consumer products, tell me about your business." If you're trying to relay product information ask an open-ended question such as, "What questions do you have about these nutritional products specifically formulated for women?" It's the equivalent of asking in a personal situation, "Am I making sense?"

Successful business networking takes comfortable self-awareness and your full attention. When you start and end conversations clearly, while staying alert to physical cues, and are flexible and open to specific circumstantial opportunities that naturally arise in any conversation, your message gets heard loud and clear.

Melissa Wadsworth is a communications expert and the author of Small Talk Savvy. As a freelance marketing writer and PR Coach, she bring 20 years of corporate public relations and markeing experience to her craft. To learn more, visit her Web site at http://www.melissawadsworth.com. Contact her and reference this article to receive a special report: "Top Ten PR 101 Tips."

Building Instant Integrity In Your Business Relationships

Writen by Dr. Leif Smith

How strong are your business relationships? In today's fast-paced society, the frenetic pace of work and life ensure that we won't get very many chances to make that good first impression. The following guidelines will allow you to maximize the trust that others' place in you and make a good impression each and every time.

1. Be Responsive

* Return all calls within 24 hrs (minimum)
The simple act of getting back to people that contact you via phone is a lost art. Most business people overlook how important it is to return all calls quickly. It displays respect for the message and for the person calling you, essentially sending the message, "Your call is as important as every other call I get, and I give it my prompt attention."

* All emails within 24 hours
It is just as easy to return an email within 24 hours as it is a call. There really is no excuse (or no good excuse) for not getting back to people while they still remember that they contacted you!

* Listen twice as much as you talk
Contrary to popular opinion, listening is just as important as your ability to communicate ideas in the business world. Most people emphasize the latter rather than the former, and as a result fail to build trust in their business relationships.

Leif's quickie guide to better listening:

A. Frame messages quickly. Reflect back to the person to whom you are listening a condensed version of what you have discerned.

B. Attend to non-verbals: Match nods, body position, gestures. This increases their comfort level with you.

C. Attend more to how the person is articulating much more than what they are articulating.

II. Offer Value at Every Turn

* Pragmatic value is key
The value you offer, whether it be a service, a product, or a relationship, has to have utility for the person you are trying to build a relationship with.

* Always follow up
Always. If you spent a half hour discussing something and don't follow up, those thirty minutes were wasted. Follow up with a thank you, a note, an article of interest, whatever. But follow up.

* Be honest
Honesty is a lost art in relationships. Everybody pays lip service to the idea that they value it, but few people actually seek out honest, unabashed feedback. If you can provide it, you will instantly build integrity in your business relationships, because very few people do so.

III. Be An Object of Interest

* Use the language well
Learn how to speak well. Learn new words and increase your vocabulary on a weekly basis. Doing so tells other people that you are an educated individual, and value how you come across in interpersonal settings.

* Dress well
When in doubt, overdress. Dressing well is simple to do, no matter how much you earn. Buy quality clothes, nice shoes, etc. Looking nice sends a message that you care about your physical appearance.

* Be contrary
Don't be afraid to be contrary, even if it means throwing others off their high-horse every now and then. Being contrary and the ability to have an opposing viewpoint sends a message that you have your own thoughts on the matter and care enough about them to not compromise.

Copyright (2006) Leif H. Smith, Psy.D. All Rights Reserved.

Leif H. Smith, Psy.D, specializes in improving individual and organizational performance. To get more information about his coaching or consulting services, or to sign up for his complimentary monthly productivity newsletter, visit http://www.personalbestconsulting.com

Effortless Networking Do You Move Into Quotsales Modequot Too Soon

Writen by Sri Dasgupta

A few weeks ago, I wrote about how we can be our own biggest challenge when it comes to business networking.

A member of Effortless Networking made an interesting comment about how he sometimes gets in his own way: according to him, there are times when he moves into "sales mode" too soon.

Well, he's not alone. I know I have talked to others about this very topic.

Many people move into sales mode as soon as they recognize a prospect or sense an opportunity.

Some are excited when they realize their product or service can really help the other person, and they can't wait to say so.

Some don't want the opportunity to pass them by.

I'm sure there are a number of other reasons as well.

No matter what the reason is, how does one recognize the right moment to move into "sales mode" and take advantage of the opportunity?

Here's how:

1. Confirm your hunch

   In other words, is the other person really interested in the topic at hand? Is it something he or she wants to and is ready to address?

   This doesn't have to be -- and shouldn't be -- a lengthy interrogation! Just a few key questions that'll indicate to you whether you're on the right track.

   The process of confirming your hunch also indicates to the other person that you're interested in what they have to say, which is a nice by-product.

2. Ask for permission

   If your hunch is correct and you do have an opportunity in front of you, then share with the other person why the topic is so interesting to you.

   Then ask if he or she would be interested in talking further about it -- whether it's right then or at a later time.

   At that point the other person knows what you want to talk to them about, and why.

   If they are truly interested in the topic, and curious about what you have to say about it, the answer will probably be "yes".

   Which means that you have the green light to proceed.

So you don't necessarily have to wait until the other person decides to ask about you and what you do (because they may not!).

However, as you can see, you can still take advantage of the opportunity, if in fact there is one.

(c) Copyright 2006, Srirupa Dasgupta Srirupa Dasgupta is the author of Effortless Networking: Everyday Wisdom to Transform your Business and Life. She helps small business owners, entrepreneurs and self-employed professionals build, sustain and leverage the professional and personal network that is necessary to succeed. To get a free 15-page guide on the "5 simple ways to Network Successfully", go to http://www.EffortlessNetworking.com .

Why Bother With Social Networking Sites Like Linkedin

Writen by Dave Taylor

Q: I think I understand the value of networking as well as the next businessman, but for the life of me, I don't really see what sites like LinkedIn, Ryze and Ecademy can do for me. What's the point of these sites other than just as some sort of digital popularity contest?

A: My good friend and colleague Liz Ryan, head of the women's power networking group WorldWIT, Women in Technology, has a great answer to this sort of question, an answer that I'm quoting here with permission:

I ask people to join LinkedIn, and often they say "I don't want the spam." So I say "You won't get any spam." And they say "But I'm not job-hunting." And I say "You don't have to be job-hunting." Then we go back and forth for awhile. It's a bit of a challenge to get my own friends to see the forest for the trees, sometimes. When Monster.com was new, the big idea was to post jobs online. As an HR person, I can tell you, Monster is a pretty awful place to post jobs. You get KILLED with unwanted resumes from job seekers all over the world. I truly believe that Monster.com is the reason that HR people no longer respond to online job seekers - and sometimes offline job seekers - with any kind of response.

Anyway, over time HR people and recruiters figured out that the real value to Monster is the ability to search the candidate database (for a fee). Maybe some of the same thing is happening with LinkedIn. What seems like the obvious benefit to membership may not be the key feature for a lot of users. See what you think about this LinkedIn primer that I share with my friends. If I'm doing something I shouldn't be doing on LinkedIn, I'd love to know that too!

1) Your profile itself is a great value to joining LinkedIn. I get great, useful contacts from my profile appearing on LI, and of course it's free.

2) Even if you're not job-hunting or doing business developing or searching for contacts yourself, it's a great thing to be able to be a conduit for your friends. They really appreciate that service that you can provide for them. Just the reconnect- with-an-old colleague bit is a godsend: where else can you do that online?

3) LinkedIn is the google for individuals who aren't high on Google rankings. That means anyone who's in a corporation but not senior enough to appear on the About Us/Management Bios page (although of course, those execs are often on LinkedIn too); anyone who is a partner in a consulting firm but perhaps not often in the news or otherwise mentioned online; and zillions of other people whom you'd have trouble finding if it weren't for LinkedIn.

4) Let's say you have a business meeting with the VP of Marketing at a major corporation next week. If it weren't for his profile on LinkedIn (say, if you were having this meeting three years ago), how would you learn where he went to school, where he worked before his current job, and other details about him? With the help of his LinkedIn profile, you're a zillion times better prepared for the meeting.

5) Now let's say that VP of Marketing is behind the curve and doesn't have a LinkedIn profile. No big; you find another connection of yours who works at the VP's current company, and ping her for some background. See? LinkedIn to the rescue again.

6) Want to know who's working in a particular industry space in a given city? LinkedIn search. Intelligence gathering, even if you never contact any of the people you find.

My point is that there's lots more to LinkedIn than just reaching out to people for job leads and for business development leads - not that either of those are bad things. And I agree with other posters that you have to use the tool, rather than just join up and sit there like a lump. But I'd love to hear stories of some more creative uses for LinkedIn, from other users...

Thanks for sharing your compelling story with everyone, Liz. When I think about your point with Monster.com causing recruiters to never list jobs online anymore, I not only know that it's true from personal experience, but also find it to be an interesting example of the law of unintended consequences, in the same way that a site like LinkedIn helps with market research or background checks.

At the end of the day, in business you're ultimately constrained only by the skills you can bring to the table and the network of friends and acquaintances you can call on for help, advice and assistance. And if you don't help them when you can, of course, it doesn't take long to be ostracized from a group, however informal or far- flung. But if you are part of a circle of professionals, you will always grow your career faster, smarter, and more profitably.

Dave Taylor is an internationally recognized expert on business and technical topics and is the author of 18 different books and thousands of magazine articles. His Q&A Web site is http://www.askdavetaylor.com/