Good Intentions = A-C-T-I-O-N
I was chatting with a friend of mine in California today and he asked me how much I knew about another person. My response was that I was familiar with the name, knew a little about her but she was on my Intention List for 2008. I hurried to add that my Intention List (for the people I intended to get to know better this year) was a better term to use than a hit list! Don’t you agree?
Who’s on your Intention List this year? Who do you plan to get to know better this year? The important word is Plan – one of the most overlooked activities in networking. Most people think networking happens by accident, people get to know one another by accident, relationships are built by accident. To some extent that does happen, but more often than not relationships are developed through the planning process. Think about who you know and who you want to know. Now who knows the people you want to know – ask them to introduce you. Find a way to join the same organization(s) they belong to and BEGIN to develop that relationship. Beginning, planning are all activities that lead to the most important word in the networkers vocabulary – A-C-T-I-O-N. Networking does not happen unless an A-C-T-I-O-N is taken, relationships are not built without some form of A-C-T-I-O-N happening.
What A-C-T-I-O-N(s) are you planning to take this year? Who are you going to add to your sphere of influence. What are you going to do to get to know that person?
If you need help developing your Networking Plan, contact me! Just Begin!
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Teresa Morrow
on January 16th, 2008
Carol,
First of all I like your subject. I do agree that it is a good idea to create a “intention list” of those whom you want to know better. And I agree that networking doesn’t necessarily always happen by accident and when it does it is nice. It is about slowly building those relationships…and that takes time. I think one thing to remember also is to look at why you wish to connect with a person. Is it just because they know tons of people? Or is it because they have valuable information and are a great resource for you and your network?
And yes, taking action is the key to moving your business and network forward. Without that…you are just talking, wishing and not getting much accomplished.
Great topic Carol.
Christina
on February 8th, 2008
Hi Carol,
Thank you for this wonderful topic! I have been networking, but haven’t begun to make deeper connections with my contacts–I know a little about a lot of people, but that’s it. The idea of planning who you want to meet and how to go about strengthening that relationship is something I will definitely use from now on, starting today!
Thanks again for your helpful post!
Christina
Leslie Sansone Williams
on June 22nd, 2008
Hey Carol,
Thank you for sharing your ideas/thoughts concerning how important it is to make deeper connections. It not only strengthens our business relationships but it pulls the world to our doorstep in an instant. What a wonderful chance for communication and friendship!
Looking forward to the days ahead…
Leslie
Leslie Sansone Williams
http://www.legaledpro.com
Carol Deckert
on July 13th, 2008
Thanks for posting – connections are so, so critical to the growth of a business and to the personal growth and development of an individual! Thanks so much for adding to this discussion.
How about the rest of you – what do you think?