Focused Networking Focused Networking for Business Successfor Business Success

Tanya SmithTanya SmithDesign Your Work © 2009Design Your Work © 2009

www.designyourwork.com

OverviewOverview

6 Degrees Myth

What is Focused Networking

Traditional & Social Media Networking

FOCUS Tips

IntroductionIntroduction

I help super busy professionals enjoy Monday morning.

I am a Certified Career Coach & owner of Design Your Work, faith-based career coaching

I work with misemployed professionals who are miserable in the wrong work

Why I’m hereWhy I’m here

To message that you can adopt the skill of networking through reading, training, and coaching so that you can be part of the 29% who are, in fact, separated by 6 degrees.

6 Degrees Myth6 Degrees Myth Dr. Ivan Misner’s book, The 29% Solution

talks about how Stanley Milgram led a study in the 60s & 70s where several groups of people sent a chain of letters through other people to get the communication to someone they didn’t know.

The most successful group only had 29% connect where the other 71% did not.

6 Degrees Myth, cont.6 Degrees Myth, cont.

Focused networking is not about leaving your connections up to chance, but creating an intentional strategy around your business connections.

What is Focused Networking?What is Focused Networking?

Focused networking*: a business management technique in which you connect with people who have:1. Relationships w/people who will invest in

your products/services

2. Knowledge to help you grow your business

Quote from Thomas Power, chairman of Ecademy: “I network for knowledge, because knowledge can easily be exchanged for money. Without knowledge in the new economy you will not eat and neither will your family.”

*Susan Whitcomb, Christian Career Journey

Focused Networking, cont.Focused Networking, cont.

It’s about developing contacts who can • Help you fulfill the purpose God has for you in the

service He has gifted you with - Ephesians 2:10 says 10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Do it right and you benefit from increased credibility, leads, sales and a sense of personal fulfillment

Focused NetworkingFocused Networking

Know

ledge

Relationships

Adapted from Susan Britton Whitcomb - “The Christian’s Career Journey”

Types of Networking We’re CoveringTypes of Networking We’re Covering

Traditional – in person, whether w/individual or a group

Online, or Social Media Networking

Social Media NetworkingSocial Media Networking

Social Media Networking: David Riklan from www.selfgrowth.com says it’s “people sharing with people on the internet”.

Web 1.0 vs. 2.0 - Before, people read static Internet pages & now they interact with each other, give opinions, build or destroy business & personal reputations - all using the internet.

Facts about Social MediaFacts about Social Media

According to the Social Media Marketing Report by Michael Stelzner

Most commonly used social media resources are Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook & blogs, blogs = contraction of term “web log” individual commentaries sometimes incl. pics, videos,

etc. i.e., Twitter is a micro-blog where entries are limited to

140 characters. These are all FREE & there are increasing #s of

people using these to grow and sustain their business.

More on Social Media…More on Social Media…

Interesting Statistics 112 million blogs on Internet, Facebook has 200 million +

members, YouTube has13 billion videos viewed/month, LinkedIn has over 36 mil business members, Twitter growing 40%/month with 8 million current members

Remember this, however – this is not fly by night; It takes time to develop relationships that lead to actual business. Those who take the time can find great results.

Link to the Social Media Report from which many of these stats were taken. Also visit www.marismith.com for Facebook info and www.twitterhandbook.com for Twitter tips!

Tips on FacebookTips on Facebook

Benefits – one of the fastest growing (250k members/day), discussion capable, personality flexible application online, in my opinion.

FB provides opportunity to position yourself in front of thousands of potential new clients, joint venture partners, suppliers, service providers & more (remember? Relationships & KnowledgeRelationships & Knowledge)

Avg age group using it is 35+; predicted to hit 500 million members by 2011

FOCUS TipsFOCUS Tips

Follow a business model Operate w/Christian principles – Givers Gain Come prepared – with your networking toolkit Understand the networking culture/etiquette Study, study, study business and networking

techniques

Other ResourcesOther Resources

Support group on LinkedIn called The 29% Project, self-paced – add comments as you go through Misner’s book, The 29% Solution

Invest in programs like Book Yourself Solid by Michael Port or Get Clients Now by CJ Hayden to get focused on your message & your target audience

Great info about Social Media: Mari Smith – FB queen; Twitterhandbook.com; Jason Alba - LinkedIn

Visit me http://www.coachtanyasmith.com for updates on more Savvy Christian guides and classes coming!

Presenter InfoPresenter Info

Tanya Smith, the Monday Morning Coach, helps super busy professionals create meaningful work so they can enjoy Monday mornings. Visit our main site www.designyourwork.com to sign up for your complimentary copy of “7 Lessons on the Way to Greatness”.

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you…Ephesians 1:18