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Networking Rx: Morag Barrett – Four Relationship Dynamics (EPS 213)

Posted:Thu, 24 Sep 2020 09:00:00 +0000

Frank Agin, author and founder of AmSpirit Business Connections, talks with executive coach and leadership development expert Morag Barrett about the four relationship dynamics she profiles in her book Cultivate. Reach out to Morag via morag@skyeteam.com.

https://networkingrx.libsyn.com/morag-barrett-four-relationship-dynamics-eps-213

For more information on AmSpirit Business Connections and its franchise opportunity program, contact Frank Agin at frankagin@amspirit.com or visit http://www.amspirit.com/franchise.php.

The post Networking Rx: Morag Barrett – Four Relationship Dynamics (EPS 213) appeared first on AmSpirit Business Connections.
Creating Solid Networking Relationships

Posted:Wed, 23 Sep 2020 09:00:00 +0000
Creating solid networking relationships can be distilled down into three simple words: Know, Like & Trust.
- You build relationships when people get to know you and you get to know them.
- You build relationships when you get the people you know to like you.
- And you build relationships when you do the things that allow other people to trust you.
Here is a simple reality – people (yourself included) do business with those they Know, Like & Trust.

You likely have the accountant, banker, or financial planner in your life because, all things being equal, you Know, Like & Trust them. In fact, all things being UNequal, you would still opt to do business with the person you Know, Like, & Trust. Think about it. If you have automobile insurance, there is no question you could find the same coverage for less. Yet, you stay with the same agent. Why? You Know, Like & Trust that person.

Know, Like & Trust is a powerful component of human nature. If you can get people coming to the conclusion that they Know, Like & Trust you (at a very gut level), they will more likely be moved to help you … refer clients to you … introduce you to centers of influence … and direct you towards beneficial opportunities. So, at the end of the day, know-like-trust is the foundation for creating solid networking relationships.

Learn more about networking and AmSpirit Business Connections at www.amspirit.com.

The post Creating Solid Networking Relationships appeared first on AmSpirit Business Connections.
Networking Rx: Listening Tips & Exercise (EPS 212)

Posted:Tue, 22 Sep 2020 09:00:00 +0000

Frank Agin, author and founder of AmSpirit Business Connections, continues his conversation with communication coach Marilyn L. Gordon, who shares a litany of listening tips and a listening exercise.

https://networkingrx.libsyn.com/listening-tips-exercise-eps-212

For more information on AmSpirit Business Connections and its franchise opportunity program, contact Frank Agin at frankagin@amspirit.com or visit http://www.amspirit.com/franchise.php.

The post Networking Rx: Listening Tips & Exercise (EPS 212) appeared first on AmSpirit Business Connections.
294) Newton’s Law And Networking

Posted:Fri, 18 Sep 2020 18:30:25 +0000

In her book Rainmaker Roadmap: A Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Prosperous Business, author, speaker and consultant Kimberly Rice addresses a common occurrence when building and growing a healthy network. That is, the uncertainty surrounding when and why you reach out to your network and what to say when you do.

In response, Rice draws on Newton’s law of motion: “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” In networking terms, the more goodwill you extend, the more it will come back to you.

She shares that your “reaching out” messages should have a helpful spirit, with the true intention of checking in. Checking in on your contact’s business. Or seeing how they are making out with a recent transition or new position. Or following up on something personal in their life.

So, add a little physics to your networking skills with Newton’s law of motion. Sincerely reach out to someone. And then expect an equal and opposite reaction.

Like what you’ve read? Prefer to hear it as a podcast or daily flash briefing? Subscribe to the Networking Rx Minute podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts.

The post 294) Newton’s Law And Networking appeared first on AmSpirit Business Connections.
301. The Hostess Mindset

Posted:Fri, 18 Sep 2020 18:28:01 +0000

According to Alison Henderson, body language expert and founder of Moving Image Consulting, one way to position yourself to get the most out of networking events is to take on the mindset of being the host.

That is, rather than attending an event hoping that others will serve you, approach the gathering as if it is your role to greet, connect and be helpful to others. In short, you would conduct yourself just as if it were a party in your own home.

The benefit of this mindset is three-fold. First, as you look to serve others, you will naturally make more and better contacts with attendees. Second, you’ll be viewed by all as being gracious and helpful, drawing more people to want to be associated with you. And, finally, adopting this mindset will ensure that your body language stays open, resulting in you appearing more available and approachable.

So, at the next event, whether it’s yours or not, be the hostess with the most-est.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6QD3YnXJnA&list=UU9MhyoH6dVu-mofncAz7XmA&index=34&t=0s

Like what you’ve read? Prefer to hear it as a podcast or daily flash briefing? Subscribe to the Networking Rx Minute podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts.

The post 301. The Hostess Mindset appeared first on AmSpirit Business Connections.
302. The Many Flavors To Your Introduction

Posted:Fri, 18 Sep 2020 18:26:57 +0000

You might feel that there is little creativity in crafting how you introduce yourself. After all, there are only a few ways to say who you are and who you work for. And if that’s all you’re saying, you’re no doubt right. An introduction is bland or boring.

However, when introducing yourself no one ever said you have to limit yourself to what amounts to a professional name, rank and serial number.

Prepare to move beyond the mundane. Share a little bit of what you do. And stop thinking that “There is nothing to what I do.” Give yourself some credit. Think it through. There is a litany of different where’s and how’s to what you do.

And with that, you add dimension to your introduction by being informative or educational. Or, you can really spice it up by being amusing or startling.

Your introduction is not a “vanilla or chocolate” proposition. Rather, it’s like Baskin-Robbins and you have 31 flavors to share.

Like what you’ve read? Prefer to hear it as a podcast or daily flash briefing? Subscribe to the Networking Rx Minute podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts.

The post 302. The Many Flavors To Your Introduction appeared first on AmSpirit Business Connections.
323) Catching Train A

Posted:Fri, 18 Sep 2020 18:24:06 +0000

Follow this word problem. Train A leaves the station at 8 o’clock going west at 50 miles per hour. Then an hour later, train B leaves the same station going in the same direction and also at 50 miles per. At what point will train B catch train A? The answer is never.

This is not a trick question. Rather, it’s meant to illustrate a point. Train A represents the crowded marketplace within which you operate. There are direct competitors. There might be alternative offerings to your product or service. There’s even the notion of doing without what you have to offer.

In short, no one has to hire you, and no one has to do business with you. To become relevant and capitalize on opportunities, you have to do a little more. You certainly need to be a little smarter. You need to work harder.

Train A won’t wait for you to catch up. You simply must move a little faster.

Like what you’ve read? Prefer to hear it as a podcast or daily flash briefing? Subscribe to the Networking Rx Minute podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts.

The post 323) Catching Train A appeared first on AmSpirit Business Connections.
327) “Throwing A Dart” Networking

Posted:Fri, 18 Sep 2020 18:23:08 +0000

An important aspect of successful networking is knowing what to do. However, also important is knowing what not to do in building a network.

In his book, Who Do You Need To Meet?, networking maven Rob Thomas shares:

“Some who network treat it like a numbers game. They gather a pile of business cards that they add to their growing pile of faceless names and forgotten intentions. This is what I call ‘throwing a dart’ networking. Maybe you will magically score, but typically you won’t.”

As Thomas implies, your networking efforts should not be the equivalent of pitching sharp objects at a board and hoping something hits just right. His foundational principle of networking is that the lifeline of a business is relationships and those relationships are between people. Those relationships are not built through mass e-mails that amount to meaningless follow up. Rather they are formed person by person, one at a time.

Like what you’ve read? Prefer to hear it as a podcast or daily flash briefing? Subscribe to the Networking Rx Minute podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts.

The post 327) “Throwing A Dart” Networking appeared first on AmSpirit Business Connections.
311) The Four Horsemen of Doomed Relationships

Posted:Fri, 18 Sep 2020 18:22:12 +0000
Doctors Julie and John Gottman, in working with thousands of married couples over dozens and dozens of studies, have shown that four communication styles serve to doom a relationship.
1. Criticism: A person lodges a complaint against another that serves to attack the core of their character.
2. Contempt: Going beyond mere criticism, a person also uses disrespect, mockery, sarcasm, ridicule, eye-rolling, or scoffing to make another feel despised and worthless.
3. Defensiveness: To deflect from their own irresponsibility or shortcoming, a person employs counter-attacks, lame excuses, or plays the innocent victim.
4. Stonewalling: Rather than dealing with issues, a person withdraws from the interaction, shuts down, and simply stops responding to their partner.
The Gottmans have shown that these four behaviors serve to spell doom for most any marriage. The reality is, however, that these four horsemen have no place in any relationship, personal or professional. Don’t employ them; don’t allow yourself to be a victim of them.

Like what you’ve read? Prefer to hear it as a podcast or daily flash briefing? Subscribe to the Networking Rx Minute podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts.

The post 311) The Four Horsemen of Doomed Relationships appeared first on AmSpirit Business Connections.
271) Sears To Wal-Mart And Beyond

Posted:Fri, 18 Sep 2020 18:21:02 +0000

In 1962, the retail giant Sears, Roebuck and Company was poised to celebrate its 100^th anniversary. Its annual sales were somewhere north of $10 billion dollars and it was starting to expand throughout North America and beyond. That same year, Sam Walton opened the first Wal-Mart Discount Store in tiny Rogers, Arkansas.

Fast forward to today. One of these is a household name, with millions of employees, and annual sales of over a half a trillion dollars. The other is now virtually unknown by much of the population and a punchline for those who remember it.

This is more than an interesting contrast. There are a couple lessons to be had. First, don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t out-work, out-think, and out-execute a competitor that is much bigger than you.

Second, no matter how your professional life grows, don’t ever get into the mindset that you don’t have to innovate and improve.

Like what you’ve read? Prefer to hear it as a podcast or daily flash briefing? Subscribe to the Networking Rx Minute podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts.

The post 271) Sears To Wal-Mart And Beyond appeared first on AmSpirit Business Connections.