You can’t spell Networking without KNOWING

I am a huge fan of all the learning avid networkers are exposed to. As such, I chose to feature that element of networking for this month’s post in The National Networker. You can learn all about what you can learn from networking by clicking HERE. (sorry about that, but that’s how blogs roll some time).
Have a great day and Be Connected!

Staying Visible to your Network

It’s important to recognize that everyone in your network needs to hear from you. What’s dynamic about that is the frequency with which you communicate with them. Sometimes it depends on projects or workload. Other times it depends on how much you like one another.

There are people in your network that you need to communicate with almost daily. There are others that as long as you touch base with them semi-annually, you can keep a relationship strong. In either scenario, you need to have a plan on how to reach out to them.

The simplest and most effective way is to pick up the phone and make a call. Depending on how often you touch base, that may be time consuming. Certainly there are people with whom you love to speak. But you know any conversation with them is 30 minutes at least. What if you don’t have that kind of time?

A sure fire way to stay on people’s radar while adding value to them is to send them information that they will find useful. Everyone loves receiving mail that isn’t a bill. Think about clipping a magazine or newspaper article, sticking it in an envelope and actually mailing it to your colleague. Trust me when I tell you they will be blown away by the gesture.

A much faster way to achieve a similar effect is to email articles or links to people. While this lacks the mail feel, it still
demonstrates caring and people will greatly appreciate your showing interest.

In addition to things you have read, be sure to tell your network
about events you think they will enjoy. Keeping them in the loop will benefit them, but if they attend events where you are, they may be just the person you need to introduce you to your next big opportunity.

How do you determine how often to communicate with folks and how do you reach out to them?

We’re separate enough: Let’s focus on 6 degrees of connectedness

In the mid 90’s a very fun “parlor trick” came about called “6 degrees of Kevin Bacon”. The idea was that every actor in Hollywood could be connected to Kevin within 6 people. Its fascinating how accurate this is and how it proves out the science of networks.

An equally popular use of the phrase is “6 degrees of separation”. Like the Kevin Bacon scenario, this idea suggests that everyone on the planet is connected via those 6 degrees.

My problem with that is the word “separation”. Aren’t we as humans separate enough? I mean, we go so far out of our way to celebrate our differences. Which is especially perculiar considering how similar we are both genetically and from an energy perspective. Newsflash, we are all part of the same.

In an attempt to change the energy around the 6 degrees, I use the word “connectedness” in lieu of “separation”. I understand that mathematically it is the inverse, but from a message perspective, it brings us closer as we should be.

I have also contemplated the 6 things to which we should be most connected. In no particular order they are:

The planet
Others
Technology
Self
Our bliss
The Universe

Want to know more about how being connected to these areas benefit us, check out my talk at TEDxdetroit on 10/21

Be Connected-

Terry

Are you helping your clients get business?

Business has changed. While I am big proponent of the idea that all business is relationship business, I know there are some caveats to that statement.

The biggest one is price. People will leave you to save money. The tighter the economy gets, the truer that statement becomes.

-Case study-
My insurance term is up and I started shopping rates. I went to the websites of Geico and Progressive and found out either company could save me $1000+ per year on my auto coverage. The good news for my current agent at AAA is that she has referred me business in the past. So before I jumped ship, I called her. Good thing I did. She was able to save me even more. Had we not that mutual referral society, I would have never made that call.

Instead of providing the minimum to our clients, you know, the product or service they pay us for, step it up a level. Add value to them. Of significant value right now would be new business. Be on the lookout for the people your clients need to meet. You do know who that is, right?

If not, it may be a great reason to get back in touch with your clients. Imagine your vendors calling you and asking how they could refer business to you. Go ahead. Make that call. Make someone’s day while keeping your clients a little longer.

Please share your story of helping your clients get business.

You’re already connected

Universal Guide to Networking with Terry Bean

Connecting people create opportunities.
Opportunities create people connecting.

The good news for you is that you are already connected. In being so, opportunities are already being created by you. Some of them will be for you. Others will be for those you know or are about to.

These connections are more than just the people in your network. They are parts of your universe. And if you want your Universe to be good to you, you have to be good to it.

Every moment we have the chance to do something great. But that only happens when we are aware. Sense the moments that you live and you will instantly note how connected you really are.

The above was originally printed in The National Networker. Click HERE to read the rest!

A networker’s meditation on BEing

This post originally appeared in The National Networker on August 16, 2009 and is reprinted here with their permission.

Universal Guide to Networking with Terry Bean

As a networker, we have to BE a lot of things: professional, credible, responsible, accountable, aware and most importantly, givers. That’s a lot of roles to play considering most of us balance this with our day job.

How does one do all this and succeed in their business?

The answer is two-fold. First, the above list contains a lot of characteristics that successful business people possess. In fact, with the exception of “aware” and “givers”, that list is like a minimum to do business today. Do your skills match those listed? Do you see improvement areas for you or your colleagues? Life is about continuous improvement. It’s never too late to learn.

The second piece is a little deeper. Are you familiar with Landmark Forum? Graduates of their program put together the wonderful movie, “Pay It Forward” (if you haven’t seen it, please do. It may change how you network and how you live”. While I personally have not experienced the forum, I know a few folks who have. This is not a post about them, but about one of the ideas they share.

Most of us go through life with the belief that states “if I only could have this, I would be able to do X then I would be happy (or whatever we want to be)”. The forum suggests that this is backwards thinking. That we in fact need to focus on BEing whatever we are meant (or choose) to BE. And if we are BEing what we are supposed to BE we will do the things we need to do to BE as such. These actions will lead to having what we seek out of life.

Pretty interesting stuff, no? Please share your experience below.

In the meantime I encourage you to BE a better networker and the best business person you can BE.

Do you know who you are talking to???

What a huge opportunity cost there is when we prattle on and on about us and don’t take the time to learn about others. I decided to share this post via video so you could get the gist…

Evidently I can’t embed the video directly into WordPress (editor’s note, this may NOT be an issue with WordPress, it could be a Terry thing…TBD). In the interim, please click HERE to see the awesome video and if that doesn’t work, copy and paste this: http://vimeo.com/5978078 into your browser. Geesh, I sure hope it’s worth it.

Thanks!

19 sites that can make Twitter soar for you

Cool Sites to Help You Tweet

Twitter Listing Service- Places you want to list you and/or your business for other tweeps to find you.

Twibs.com
Wefollow.com
Justtweetit.com
Twellow.com

Twitter Interfaces- Don’t like the way twitter is laid out? Try one of these sites that make it easier

Tweetdeck.com
Tweetbeep.com
Tweetvisor.com

Twitter Monitoring and Search Services- Makes it easy to track your key words

Monitter.com
Twazzup.com
Summize.com

Twitter Mobile-Want to take Twitter with you when you are away from your desk?

Twitterberry.com- for your blackberry
Twitterrific.com – For your Iphone

Staying current on Twitter

Twictionary.com- Need to know what a word means? Look here
Hashtags.org- See a hashtag and want to know why? Here you go

Compare your numbers with your friends and followers

Tweetstats.com
Twitcounter.com
Tweetgrader.com
Whendidyoujointwitter.com

Want a cool twitter background?

Twitart.com

What sites do you Twove?

I have been a featured writer for The National Networker for about a year now. It’s a great publication that highlights the Relationship Economy and other things Networkers need to know.

My most recent post discusses how important your ASK is as it pertains to both your business development AND your invoking of Universal Laws.

Why don’t you take a few moments and scan the headlines of posts from yesterday’s edition: http://www.thenationalnetworker.com?

5 things you need to know about Twitter

1. Don’t answer “what are you doing” on twitter. Think more along the lines of conversation starting, shining the light on others or sharing useful information.

2. Use the 150 characters for your bio effectively. Use a combination of keywords and a sentence about how you would like to be known.

3. Follow the leaders in your industry. And then follow their followers. Engage them in useful conversation and watch your follower list grow.

4. Add relevant tweets to your page before you start following a bunch of people. This is important because when they come to check you out, they will see what sort of value you have to offer.

5. Use twitter search or other tools to monitor conversations about you, your brand and other things that are important. This helps narrow the tweetstream to things that are relevant to you.

There are about 47 other things Charlie and I teach, what do you think should be on this list?

6 ideas on why it’s vital to fill out your online profile

So many of us get to a new site like Linkedin, Facebook, Motor City Connect (and the list goes on for days) and we decide we will fill out the profile “later”.

Show me in YOUR calendar (outlook, ical, blackberry, Franklin Planner or other) where “later” is. Let’s face it, we live in a hyper busy world. Here’s the thing, taking those 20-30 minutes to fill out our profile NOW increases our odds of being busy later. People are coming to these site to learn about YOU. Give them something about yourself. It’s amazing how many opportunities social networking drives to those who are asking for it!

Do so.

Not convinced? Check out this 85 second video: http://vimeo.com/4899630

Until next time,

Be connected-

Leadership: the 50 in 52 way

What Dafna is doing for our country at 50 in 52 Journey is remarkable. I think everyone should know about it and share it often. Each person she interviewed was nominated because they are doing something to make their community great. As Americans, we all have the same community, people. It’s called the United States of America. We can all be doing something to improve our community, can’t we? Leadership can come from anyone anywhere as Dafna and the people she interviews proves.

If you are on twitter, search #50in52 to learn more. You can also follow her on Facebook.

I was honored to be one of the folks chosen and here is the link to my interview: http://www.50in52journey.com/states/michigan6.asp

I hope you will check out her site and recommend people you know who should be interviewed. Thanks for taking a look.

Be connected-

Terry Bean

You need to BE and STAY connected!

Just posted a quick 90 second video on “ways to stay visible to your network”. Check it out right here: http://vimeo.com/4781975

Be Connected-

Terry

7 ways to exit a conversation 2 of which are graceful

We can’t be all things to all people and neither can people be all
things for us. It’s just the way the world works. Occasionally as you
are in your networking circles you will meet some people who just
aren’t your “cup of tea”. This could be for any number of reasons:

You find them brash
There really isn’t any common ground between the two of you
They work for a company that you have a bad history with
Your personality types are remarkably different

and the list goes on. For whatever reason, you two just don’t click.
As such, you will find it prudent to leave the conversation. The
reality is, you have a fixed amount of time at a networking event, no sense wasting it talking to a dud. Here’s the tricky part; how do you leave the conversation gracefully??

You’ll notice that I use the word gracefully. Why? Because there’s
lots of ways to do it ungracefully:

You can say you have to use the restroom and make a dash (by the way, this could be a true story)
Maybe it’s time to refill your drink?
Perhaps you want to use the “look at your watch and it’s time to go
line”. Here’s the deal with this one, if you pull it, you need to
leave. Immediately.

While all of these have the desired effect, LEAVING the conversation, they’re not the best way to do it. Here are two examples that the pros use:

1. If you’re at the right event, you are bound to see someone you MUST speak with. Locate that person, point them out to your current conversation partner. Explain that you have been trying to speak with them for X amount of time or just why you need to speak with them. Get their buy in about how important this conversation will be to you, thank them for their time and make a bee line for this next person.

2. This is the best way: Introduce them to someone who you think they should meet. If you did a good job of asking them the right questions and listening to them in the beginning, you will know who they need to meet. If you are aware of the people in the room, you will likely know at least one person who they should be talking to. Make that introduction. It’s quick, easy and if done right, both people will be happy you did it.

Here is a key point to ponder: Just because you didn’t enjoy a conversation with someone doesn’t mean that others won’t.

WERALL1 in the Eyes of the Universe

This post was originally shown in The National Networker and is reposted here with their permission.

Universal Guide to Networking with Terry Bean

Did you catch the meaning in the subject line? It’s an important concept to understand not only as a networker, but as a human being.

The universe and networking are aligned in that they support and are supported by our connectedness. When we are connected with others in our network and are connected to the universe, great things happen to/for us.

So many people talk about the idea of six degrees of separation. Stop it! We don’t need to focus on being separate. We are separate enough. Can you join me in touting the six degrees of connectedness?

When we take heed of our connectedness, we are more likely to want to help one another. We also become more comfortable with asking for the help we need. Isn’t helping one another at the heart of what networking is all about? Ultimately it is at the heart of what life is all about.

We are here to support one another. Great networkers not only know this, they go out of their way to make it happen. What is it that networkers know that compels them to behave like this?

I believe it’s the thought behind my subject line. Did you catch the meaning yet? WE ARE ALL ONE. When we work from that premise the idea of causing each other pain goes away. Better than that, we will focus on helping others because it is really the same as helping our self.

I have shared about how that help comes through the universal laws of reciprocity and generosity in the past (see why givers gain). These concepts are what drive networking. And these concepts are driven by our connectedness.

I encourage you to be connecting, be a connector and most importantly…

BE connected-

Terry Bean

Terry Bean is the founder of the fastest growing networking group in Detroit, www.motorcityconnect.com. He is also the founder of Networked Inc., a business development training firm that focuses on helping people make better use of their online and offline networking time. Terry provides trainings and large scale presentations on networking, social media usage and universal laws.

A few thoughts on Connecting online

The short answer is you make new associates online in the same manner you do in the real world. You start by finding out about one another and determine if there is a reason to continue to do so. Its a lot like rocket science without all the rocket or any of the science.

The long answer is oddly enough, longer. You start by finding someone and viewing their profile. Obviously some profiles are filled out extremely well and others aren’t. Glean what you can from what is written. Don’t make the assumption that because their profile isn’t properly filled out that they aren’t worth knowing. Lots of great and busy people get online and are still waiting for “later” to come so they can fill out their profile.

If you see something you like, send them a note that says-

“I came across your profile on x platform and I really like what you wrote about X.” (Copy their sentence and paste it right into your note). Tell them why that sentiment resonates with you and suggest a way to follow up via either phone or email.

Lots of people try to set up face to face meetings through linkedin or other sites. Color me old fashioned, but I think a first meeting, if not at an event, should be over the phone. This gives you a chance to explore the synergies and then determine if a face to face is in order. The reality is everybody is busy. There is no sense in meeting with a lot of people under the guise of “networking” if we will only be “netting” together.

If you don’t know what to ask for, don’t be surprised when you don’t get it.

If you have seen/read The Secret or have practiced using the law of attraction in any way, you know the first thing they have in common with networking: if you don’t ask, you don’t get. Both networkers and the universe want to give to you. The better you are at asking for what you truly want, the more likely you are to receive it.

Do you know what you want? Is it more clients? Maybe you need more referral partners. Perhaps it’s a new staff member that can take your business to new levels. Whatever it on that list, get clear on it. Prioritize it. Understand who is likely to help you find what you seek. Most importantly, be comfortable asking.

If you are an active networker, you will be meeting lots of people. Some are folks you have known for a while. Others are brand new to you. Hopefully you are taking the time to ask them how you can help them (you are, right?). If you do the work of being interested prior to being interesting, most times they will ask you how they can help you too.

This is your chance to get what you seek. Two things happen when you make your specific asks known. First, as you tell an individual or a group of people what you want, you are actually giving to them. Yes, it’s true. Allowing others the opportunity to help us is an act of giving. Don’t agree? Check out my last piece ( Why Giver’s Gain?) on the concepts of the law of reciprocity and the law of generosity. Hopefully that clears it up.

The second thing that happens when you ask is that you affirm your order with the universe.

So here you are asking people for what you seek. If you know about your audience, you can tailor your ask. Increase the odds of having your ask come to fruition by making it relevant to the people who are there. If you don’t know your audience, (you can have an audience of one) ask for the number one thing on your list. You never know who others know until you ask them.

It’s amazing how powerful having a succinct, specific and relevant ask is when you use it. Try it. Try it often. Watch how people want to help when you let them.

Be connected-

Terry Bean

This article originally appeared in The National Network 4/19/09 edition and is reposted here with their consent.

My 7 takeaways #module09 Detroit

Someone else may know better (and correct me if I am wrong) but I have to think that was today’s event had to be the biggest Social Media conference to hit the D yet. You start with an awesome speaker line up that included Chris Brogan Scott Monty of Ford and the ever popular Shannon Paul. I would keep going, but this is already 4 hyperlinks more than I generally provide

Just finished writing and need to give a shout out to Adriann Pittman for putting together a bang up program. Thank you!

1. First you need to take time to listen to what others are saying about you and your brand. Everybody talked about it. This is slightly different than my ideology of “Being interested prior to being interesting“, but not much. When you understand what others issues are, you can better direct your efforts toward reaching them.

2. That you need to understand the WHY of it all. So many people think they need to be doing this and just start. It doesn’t help that there are lots of consultants telling people they need to “Join the conversation” (@chrisbrogan is not a fan of this advice). While you will need to, you’re better off knowing why and then getting some help on the “how”.

3. That you had better get the different departments on board. This is not just a marketing thing. Multiple areas of your organization- Marketing, Legal, Tech, H.R. Ops., R&D and Customer Servicel ALL can receive and add value to the process. And in doing so, they add value to your brand.

4. Measuring ROI from Social Media is like looking at a kaleidoscope and counting the colors while you spin it. While you can count it, there is a compounding factor that makes it tough to do it reliably. Interestingly, the impact is usually greater than you think…OVER TIME.

5. Only 25% of the fortune something or other has spent more than $100k on Social Media. I am pretty sure that stat came from Oz Sultan (my personal favorite of the day- Scott Monty was a close 2nd). This tells me a couple of things: A. There will be a lot of change in the near future and I mean “change’ in both the opportunity and monetary sense. B. That either companies don’t recognize the need to do it yet or are appointing internal folks to handle it. I wonder how that is working for them??

6. These tools are just that…tools. Interestingly, some of the people who use them are tools (I believe it is spelled and pronounced douchebaggery) as well.  It’s pretty easy to separate yourself though. Make this a part of your culture. Work on your awesomeness and be delightful. And then use these tools to demonstrate by being helpful, engaging, caring and all of those other great human characteristics we sometimes forget we possess.

7. My favorite was that egos were checked at the door of this event. It wasn’t really about the tools, the technology or the presenters, it was about the people. No, not just the people in the audience. All people.  It was about showing ways to be more human through the use of technology. I heard lots of references to connecting humans with a brand and how important human to human interaction still is. Picking up a phone was mentioned as one way to stay in touch as was meeting face to face. I do love that real world interaction.

In reality, I had a blast as the emcee of Module today. I was blessed to have been surrounded by some of the most talented people in Detroit AND in Social Media. We had great space, content and passion. For what more could one possibly seek? It truly was a good Friday.

I would love to hear your thoughts on the day/event.

Why people don’t comment on blogs/posts!?

This is really more of a question than a statement, but since I shall share thoughts on both…

When you take time to read something do you think about what you read or how it applies to you? Maybe it’s both.

In either scenario I would think the resulting thought(s) would be of interest to the author who stimulated it at the very least. It may also also interest others including you

When you read something online where you can add to the conversation, do so. There are lots of ways to add to a conversation and not all of them include agreeing (be respectful when not) with the writer.

Personal Brand/Networking tip- Leave how people can find you when you you post online. Use your website, Linkedin page or other information that will direct them back to you.

Why don’t people do so?

Is it because they weren’t moved by the content?

Are they worried about their writing skills?

Is it they think no one will care about their opinion?

Maybe because it takes time to put together thoughts and we are worried about making an impression.

Whatever the reason, I am sure your responses will be important and right on the money when you share them.

Go ahead and try it now

A tribute to a great leader, MLK

A break from my networking thoughts, but it still involves our community.

“Early morning, April 4 a shot rings out in a Memphis sky. Free at last. They took your life, they could not take your pride. In the name of love…” – U2 from their 1984 smash hit PRIDE-In the name of love

I’m not sure why I have always had a special place in my heart for Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Maybe it is because he embodied peace? Perhaps it’s because he was a gifted orator. Or simply because he concerned himself with the betterment of our human race. It’s likely the combination of all of those things. I remember having to do a report on a famous American in the 5th grade and it was King I chose. I ended up doing 3 more on him before I graduated.

How relevant is his passing to our area in Detroit? We have a racial divide here STILL. Why is that? Why should we possibly care about the color of a person’s skin? You and I know both know that wonderful people come in all shapes and colors. Guess what, jerks do too.

It matters not what a person looks like on the outside. It’s all about what’s inside that counts. We all know that. Heck, we learned that in kindergarten.

Stephanie just presented a different point of view and suggested maybe its his untimely death that helped spread his legacy. I wonder if that’s true. I know we really haven’t seen a leader like him in the “white, red, black, Hispanic or Asian” community in this country since. Maybe President Obama, time will tell.

What are your thoughts on this? What did MLK and the work he did mean to you?

In an interesting twist of fate Run DMC will be inducted as the first “Rap crew” into the Rock and Roll hall of Fame today. Coincidence?