Creating a Value Chain of Personal Contacts

No business or enterprise can grow in isolation. You need a list of committed well-wishers, partners, customers and other individuals who will populate the ranks of your personal contacts, to succeed. The idea here is to design and implement a process to attract new connections and at the same time gain the loyalty of those who have been with you. Put up a positive mindset and step out of your comfort zone so that you can entice super networks, and build reliable and resourceful human connections.

 

Not Just About Creating Contact

Almost every business has contacts lists, relationships, groups, or networks they have built over the years. Establishing a connection may be easy. Sustaining that contact to be able to yield business results is the challenge. You should develop strategies that will allow you to transform these lists into ideas you can use as a competitive advantage.

 

Treat People like Friends

Whatever you do, never allow people to think you’re trying to sell them something every time meet them. People instantly mark you as another salesman when you give them your business cards during an event. You should make them like you by treating them as friends, having conversations and talking with a high level of decency and maturity. Never put up a face. Be yourself and allow them to discover you.

 

Describe Yourself in Less Than 20 Seconds

People sometimes would like to know about you, and there is nothing wrong with telling them about what you do. But, be quick about it. Introduce yourself by telling them your name, your business name, where you are based or located, and your specialization. Be professional and attempt to make a strong, early, first impression. From the way you speak, let them feel you are confident, passionate, and sincere. End with a question to spark a useful and engaging conversation.

 

Step Out Of Your Comfort Zone

Creating valuable new connections requires that you move out of your comfort zone and go out there. Explore opportunities to connect with consumers, experts, and professionals in your industry. You can offer to deliver a speech at an event or volunteer for a public exhibition. Stepping out of your comfort zone will help you challenge yourself more, share ideas with other people, learn new things and improve your personal contacts.

 

Provide Help

Everyone has got a problem they hope someone will help them solve. Be the one that solves other people’s problems. Ask them for an opportunity to help them solve their problems with your skills and capacity. People always trust problem solvers and want to stick with them. As a senegence distributor, never think of what you can gain when networking, either for personal or business reasons.

 

Follow-up

Send an email after meeting someone to acknowledge them and permanently establish a connection. If you can, invite them to events that you know will benefit them. Link with your contacts on LinkedIn and take advantage of the tools offered by social media. Create reminders that remind you to communicate with them from time to time, especially on their birthday and work anniversary. Create value for your connections by introducing another person you think might be of help to them, and recall highlight of the last time you met in person. Remember to schedule the next meeting whenever possible. The more you meet, the better it is for the relationship to flourish.

 

Creating personal contact requires planning, commitment, and patience. People are always looking for connections that will add value to their lives. Be the first to introduce a new idea, tell them about a new technology that can help them or assist them to take advantage of a new market trend.

Kevin Faber
 

Kevin Faber has been in the commercial finance and banking industry for most of his professional life. He graduated at UC Davis with a B.A. in Business/Managerial Economics. His experience in credit analysis, finance, and management led him to be the founder of Silver Summit Capital. He enjoys working in the financing industry and building connections with industry leaders.