Perspectives

All in the family

Last weekend I was at a family gathering and had a surprising experience.  I was talking to a member of my extended family who I had not seen in a couple of years.  The conversation got around to our careers and I was very pleased to discover that he runs a marketing promotions company.  It is odd because I have been considering using promotional items lately.  This just goes to show that a good network connection can be made anywhere and that family members can be good contacts.  Many of us do not stop to think of ways in which they can help us.  Family members can be great contacts because for the most part, they have your best interest in mind.  There are usually no strings attached.  Take a look around your family and you might be surprised to find how much help you have available for the asking.

Ilan Smith

Visit our web site at: www.oakleyassociates.com    

Get The Hired Gun

I had lunch today with a fellow business owner today just to talk and exchange ideas.  I shared with him some of Harvey Mackay's ideas regarding networking(Dig Your Well Before You're Thirsty) which include making deposits to the "favor bank".    I could see him listening attentively and pictured the wheels turning.  It's great to see the impact a new idea can have on someone.  He shared with my the idea of a salesperson who is a hired gun.  It's someone who already has a large network of contacts, gets paid straight commission, can sell "a green cow" as he put it, may have other clients, and is eager to get going.  It was certainly my turn to listen attentively as I had never thought of a salesperson in that manner before.  I really liked the idea and when I got home called two of my contacts to inquire if they knew such a person.  In keeping with the spirit of Dig Your Well, I gave him a lead, asking for nothing in exchange.  The value of exchanging ideas can be immeasurable.  Try to do so as much as you can.

Ilan Smith

Visit our web site at: www.oakleyassociates.com

You Never Know

A few days ago I was visiting some former colleagues when I happen to bump into one who had transferred to another location a couple of months earlier.  He had come to pack up the last few items in his cube.  We talked for a little while and of course I told him about my company.  He was very interested in professional development training and told me that he now has a large staff and he might want to offer them training.  I think back to a few years ago and am very glad that we had a good relationship.  It just goes to show - just because someone cannot do something for you now does not mean they will not be able to do so in the future.  Be nice to everyone you meet, as some day you might need that person.

Ilan Smith

Visit our web site at www.oakleyassociates.com

Wash my back...

I met another father at my daughter's dance class who was interested in getting a business established.  He liked my web site and asked many questions about it and starting a business.  I offered to put him in touch with my web designer, gave him cost estimates and offered to answer any questions he might have.  I also offered assistance with researching and filing business forms.  As it turns out, his wife, who often comes with him, saw what I was doing to help him.  She offered two great contacts for me to get in touch with.  Not only did she offer their contact information, but she also informed them that I would be calling on them.  You cannot get better leads than that.  I did not ask for the information and had not expected anything in return for helping her husband.  Give of yourself and you never know what might come back to you. 

Ilan Smith

Please visit our web site at: www.oakleyassociates.com

Under Your Nose

This past Sunday I was speaking with a friend of mine whom I have known for over fifteen years.  The conversation got around to work and I mentioned that I was seeking to reach new clients.  She offered a wealth of information about her employer, including web site addresses and other types of valuable information.  The odd thing is that I had never considered her a networking contact and goes to show that everyone can be a good contact.  The key is to recognize those opportunities as they arise.  A friend once told me that you should always have the networking frame of mind because it can happen anywhere and when you least expect it.

Ilan Smith

Please visit our web site at: www.oakleyassociates.com

I Never Knew...

At a former colleague's wedding this past Saturday, I ran into several other people with whom I used to work.  One of them, Juan, and I were doing some catching up when he mentioned that he does public speaking and leadership training.  This caught me by surprise because I had no idea this was an outside interest of his.  It goes to show that you can work with someone for a long time and not be aware of talents and abilities outside of those required by a job.  I am currently recruiting trainers in that subject, among others so it is a great opportunity for both of us.  I did not do much networking when we were both at the same employer, but for those of you who work together, try to find out what your colleagues do outside of work.  You may be surprised at what you might find.

Ilan Smith

Visit our web site at: www.oakleyassociates.com

Do me a favor...

I was having a conversation today over lunch about networking and brought up a book by Harvey MacKay titled "Dig Your Well Before You're Thirsty".  His perspective on networking is that you should do favors for other people so that when you need one there will be more than one person whom you could call on for assistance.  You build a network of contacts who owe you a favor.  When you need something, call in a favor.  The important thing to remember is that this takes quite a bit of doing on your part, which brings me to reciprocity, one of the topics I often discuss in the context of networking.  You get out of networking what you put into it.  Network before you need a job, don't wait until crunch time to try to build your network.  Find other people who have shared interests, viewpoints, etc. and keep in contact.  Sending an article that might be of interest to someone can go a long way and keeps the line of communication open. 

Ilan Smith

Visit our web site at www.oakleyassociates.com

Two ships passing...

Last Saturday as I was out on my occasional morning walk I passed a woman who was also out for a brisk walk.  She smiled at me as we passed each other and commented on the beautiful day we were having.  I turned around, agreed and kept on walking.  She then proceeded to shout to me as I was walking away about retiring early and asked if I was interested in Quixtar.  She was obviously trying to recruit me to join her group of contacts.  I politely told her that I was not interested in selling anything and that I was happy with my career.  It occurred to me moments later that she had not even introduced herself so she did not know my name.  It is difficult to try to network with people who do not even introduce themselves before trying to sell you something. 

Ilan Smith

Visit our web site at www.oakleyassociates.com

Close Contact

I have been mentioning the importance of networking at my Toastmasters meetings for quite some time now and got to do some of it at last night's meeting.  I shared with one of my fellow members my need to hire more trainers.  To my surprise she told me that she had been a professional trainer and had extensive experience delivering presentations for many years.  This is odd because it is someone I have known for a year but we never discussed our respective businesses.  She has offered her services and we will be speaking today.  This just goes to show that one of your best contacts may be someone you already know.

Ilan Smith

Visit our web site at www.oakleyassociates.com

Raising The Bar

At a gathering with some of my former colleagues one of them inquired about my company.  He has a brother who happens to work for a company that provides network design and installation services to large clients across the country.

You may ask, so what does that have to do with a company that provides training services? Well, the answer is this: he mentioned that his brother happens to have fairly good relationships with many of the key people in those companies. Those clients may be interested in the services that my company provides. He asked me for my card and offered to pass it along to his brother along with a good word for me.

Networking happens in some of the most unexpected places, and in this case, it was a bar. You never know where your next great contact will come from, so it is important to maintain the correct frame of mind.  The ability to recognize networking opportunities is an important skill to acquire and must be continually honed. Being tactful in your approach can make the difference between a decent conversation and a great contact.

Ilan Smith

Visit our web site at www.oakleyassociates.com