If you’re networking to build your business, you might try the “Getworking” approach. Based on the principal of “Give and you shall receive,” it’s a more altruistic method of networking, but with the same objective – to gain company awareness and sales of your product or service.
The GET in “Getworking” is an acronym for:
“G” – Give to Get
Find an organization, group or charity to which you can volunteer your time, services or product. Partnering or sponsoring can build good PR for your company and brand. Serve on a planning committee for a prominent event in your community like a marathon or charity golf tournament. Ask to become a board member for a nonprofit organization. Volunteer for something that has meaning to you and encourage your staff and family to do the same. The contacts made will be invaluable. The positive feelings from doing something with no strings attached or expectations are in itself a reward, plus you may have some fun too!
“E” – Expect a Different Kind of ROI
Business is based on a profitable return on investment – making money – but money is not the only thing. Your personal and business relationships that you build can’t be estimated in dollars, bought, or sold. The people that you connect with while investing your time and energy outside of your office may not lead to an immediate sale but plant seeds for the future. It’s surprising how if you give your best and do it for the right reasons, people will remember you, and business will follow.
“T” – Train and Be Trained
If you’re not passionate about what you’re doing, let’s assume you wouldn’t have turned it into a business. Sharing your expertise with others with seminars and training can make potential customers better appreciate your product or service and buy it. Gear your class to your product/service and your target market. When the customer has knowledge and confidence in your product or service, it’s much easier to sell and upsell.
Consider partnering with a vendor; use a conference room or a meeting room at a coffee shop; develop an adult education night class at local schools or at lunch time at the Chamber of Commerce. It should cost very little or nothing to get a training seminar going. Of course an informational blog like this one can also be beneficial to most demographics but will not appeal to everyone. When you put on a workshop or seminar, you become the expert – the go-to-company – in the view of the class. Face-to-face interaction, whenever possible, is the key to building those priceless relationships.
While you gain “students”, you acquire a focus group of their reactions and needs for your product or service – and that of the competition. Their ideas and requests may bring profitable ideas, easy to implement changes, and new offerings that will put you ahead of your competition.
After the seminar, a special offer or discount to the attendees is a great way to give and get. Hopefully they will tell their friends, want discounts for them, and more referrals will follow.
Getworking is a level above glad-handing at events, joining professional groups, handing out your business cards, and trying to sell something. You are presenting an offer to help others before you ask for anything. The message of selling is implied, but not in your face. Who can refuse that? What networking or getworking tips do you have for the community? Share your thoughts in the comments!
“Small Business, Big Vision provides a framework for you to unleash your driven and relentless passion to achieve unprecedented growth.”
I think I’ve been ‘getworking’ this whole time without even knowing the actual term! =) It’s always seemed to me that if we follow the ‘do unto others as you wish done unto you’ then we’ll be successful no matter what. If we are constantly helping other, engaging with others, without wanting anything in return, then we’ll get it back ten fold without even trying.
This isn’t to say that we should go get these relationships and expect to get something from each one of them. No. The point is to gain these relationships and give to others because we WANT to. Getting something in return is just a bonus.
Great blog!
Thanks Morgan! Glad you liked the post. You’re right, the “Golden Rule” is a great guide for all facets of business.
Cheers!
John
Great article. If you’ve read “The Go Giver” it talks exactly about this: giving before receiving, and you shall receive in return. If we shift our mindset about networking, it will pay us back tenfold.
I personally find that networking is a funny thing – I’ve been to events where some guys are so forward…ya know…they just can’t wait to talk to you about THEIR site and how great THEY are!
There is no doubt that networking is a good thing and it can certainly get you places if it’s done correctly and I guess not so “in your face”.
Thanks for the comment Dan.
Luke
I’ve also read The Go Giver (http://www.thegogiver.com/). In fact, it is probably one of my favorite books: a sort of modern-day, business fable. I highly recommend it.
I’m no expert with networking, so I found this article in conjunction with the book really helpful in that domain.
One thing I would add is that I think a fundamental assumption about the “Give and you shall receive” mindset is the faith that everything will work out. I think it all boils down to that.
The Go Giver was one of the first books on networking, so it really set a good mindset on how I should be thinking and doing with regards to networking.
Wow this ‘Go Giver’ book is really the one to read! – I agree with John, I have never heard of this book myself but it really seems like the one to get.
Thanks for your advice guys! ;)
Luke
While training, you get trained yourself. Polishing and refurbishing your ideas.
Thanks for the tips.
Well, with all the above recommendations, I’m definitely going to have to go read The Go Giver.
Thanks all for sharing!
Vail made a great comment above about the go giver.
Make sure that you are given back a small percentage of what you have gained. The “getworking” concept is definately one to implement as we head into 2011
Sounds like “Go Giver” is a great book to read. I ll be getting it soon. Thanks or the recommendation!!