Network Your Way To The Top Of The Business Ladder

Networking is one of the most important aspectsFor example, have you ever heard the phrase,
of being a successful business person, if not the'lets do lunch'? Its common to hear that all the
most important. Simply put, your service ortime in the business world. I say it alot, but the
product is not going to promote itself. Your owninteresting thing about it is that when I do, I
credibility will not just magically grow. Get outalways follow up on it within the next 7 days
there and meet people, shake those hands, kissbecause truly successful people keep their
those babies, being shy will not help your cause.committments. Even if its going to be with
The best example I could give right now is thatsomeone who is not directly related to my
of attending a function or party. Now, someindustry or business, it doesn't matter, doing
detractors may say that there is no point to gothese kinds of things really help you make a
to these events and maybe get a chance to talkname for yourself and can pay huge dividends in
to only a few different people, maybe hand out athe future.
couple of business cards only to never hear backI remember this one time I met a local
from anyone. I would be lying if I was to say thatRestaurant manager and we exchanged cards. I
this does not happen, but it does......alot. But therefollowed up with him the next week and I ended
is a reason for that, and there is a simple way toup attending his own birthday function, brought a
make going to that party/function verygift and had a great time(remember that following
worthwhile.up can be in many different ways). A couple of
For example, whenever I go to a businessweeks later I met with one of my clients for
function I get around and talk to different people.dinner along with 3 potential clients at this
Great, so does everybody else. I hand out mymanager's restaurant. I was running late(try to
business card. Great, so does everybody else. Iavoid tardiness) and not even 5 minutes after
also receive alot of business cards. Great, so doesshowing up and making the introductions at the
everybody else. Whats the difference betweentable, there came the manager. Free drinks for
what I do and what everybody else does? Thethe entire table, good conversation, and he
answer is not much.treated us all great.
The next step, however, is the key. Within theNot very often do most people walk into a
next 7 days of meeting and exchanging businessrestaurant and have free complimentary drinks
cards with anyone I meet, be it at a businessserved by the manager personally. Lets just say,
function, party, charity event, so on and so forth,not surprisingly, I did business with all 3 potential
I will follow up and contact each person in someclients at that table. Enough said. Get out there
way, shape or form. Usually the best way I'veand meet people, network, last but not least,
found to do is setting up a 'LUNCH MEETING' andfollow up.
its great, but one of many things you can do.