Choosing Networking Functions

Time is a concern for all of us. We only have so much of it to give to our work, and then some to our families, our churches and some to ourselves. In today's business climate it is essential to spent our time wisely to maximize our productivity and satisfaction with our lives.

One way that you can ascertain that the time you spend networking is most effective for you and the accomplishment of your goals is to choose your functions for networking strategically. This involves deciding on goals for your networking time and then seeking groups and functions that are geared toward the satisfaction of your goals.

If your networking time is to be spent on business development, then you would want to focus your time, energy and financial resources involved with organizations and functions that are, by their design, for business development. Some Chambers of Commerce gatherings, business trade shows, and organized business associations meet for the expressed purpose of finding more business for each other.

The people who attend these functions are there for the same reason you are - to meet new people, make new contacts, and generate more revenue. If you end up at a function that is more "social" in nature, and you are trying to do business, you will become very frustrated. Social functions are fun and relaxing, but a person trying to do business or make contacts there, could be very disappointed. If people are not in a "business frame of mind", doing business with them will be impossible.

A clue to whether the function is "business" or "social" can often be found in the time of day that the function is held. Many "after-hours" functions, although billed as business-development functions, really are not set up to do business. If there is a non-structured agenda, than the chances are likely that this function will be a "wind down after the business day" gathering more than one for actually doing business.

Another clue is to read the material that is produced by the organization about the function. What is the Mission Statement? What are the requirements to participate? Who is invited? What kind of marketing was done for the function? All of these will assist you in determining if a function will help you maximize your time and energy.

The desire to be involved with functions that are not just for business has its advantages as well. There is a lot of mentoring, brainstorming and good will generated at civic functions- like Kiwanas, Elks, and Rotary. A person who attends these functions for reasons other than satisfaction of civic and personal goals will be equally as frustrated as the person attending non-business functions and trying to do business. There is a need and a place for both.

If done properly, networking functions bring you closer to satisfaction of your personal and business goals. It is important to view these extra hours as productive. They take away from your family and personal time. They can be easy to skip because of the added amount of self-motivation required to attend them.

Because of this, the quality of people attending these functions for the purposes of networking is higher, so your chances of meeting someone who can really help you are greater. Some old sayings never change- birds of a feather still DO flock together....

Nancy Roebke, is the Executive Director of Profnet Inc, a professional business leads generation corporation. We bring business professionals together in a non-competitive environment to help each other make more money.

mailto:execdirector@profnet.org http://www.profnet.org

Copyright c Nancy Roebke

---

Finding a Brochure Printing Company

A brochure can be a great promotional tool, whether it... Read More

Assumption Based Marketing Vs. Fact Based Marketing

One of the most common mistakes in marketing is making... Read More

For Ongoing Success, Make Marketing a Habit

Make Marketing a Must, Not a MaybeWhen business is booming,... Read More

Non Products Exist in this World

"Both the market and the distributive channel are often more... Read More

Promotional Magnets: Promotion that Sticks

Some people are happy with just a business card. For... Read More

Marketing Strategy - Getting the Marketing Groove

Wouldn't it be great to have a year where your... Read More

Marketing: Are You Focused?

In early 1992, President George H.W. Bush was riding high.... Read More

Five Joint Venture Marketing Skills A Small Business Owner Must Have

Joint venture marketing is a lucrative way of leveraging the... Read More

How Much Is Your Popcorn Worth? Powerful Lessons In Marketing & The Psychology Of Selling - Part 5

How Much Is Your Popcorn Worth?: Powerful Lessons In Marketing... Read More

The Day I Learned to Start Saying No

It was the fall of 1998 when I had just... Read More

CD ROM Business Cards - Offline Marketing For Online Promotion

It's a great concept, - and it has a 'cool... Read More

CRM System: Give Meaning to Your Data

A customer relationship system (CRM) system uses technologically-driven strategies to... Read More

Understanding Survey Software Features

If you take a look at the features that different... Read More

The Bare-Bones Basics Of Multi-Level Marketing

Multi-level marketing is the biggest growth industry in the 1980's.... Read More

The Easiest Small Business Direct Marketing Tip You?ll Ever Get

This really and truly is the easiest (and most profitable)... Read More

People Pleasing Postcards

Why are more businesses turning to full-color postcards as a... Read More

Make It A Threesome

What if -- every time you had a networking appointment... Read More

Good News Travels Fast

This newsletter is full of opportunities staring you in the... Read More

Sleigh Bells Ring...And Cash Registers, Too

During the holidays, folks everywhere shop many long hours to... Read More

Marketing For Profit - 6 Critical Traits

Develop These Six Critical Marketing Traits...And Success Will Surely Follow.If... Read More

Four Essential Marketing Plan Components

Preparing a Marketing Plan for your product or service is... Read More

Effective Marketing

For any business to be successful whether on or offline... Read More

5 Great Ways to Reach Your Target Market

There are many ways to reach out and find the... Read More

4 Easy Ways to Get Free Marketing Exposure

Are there really ways you can get valuable marketing exposure... Read More

Strategic Internet Marketing

I met Sue at a recent networking event. She is... Read More

Image is Key to Your Marketing Success

In virtually any business first impressions are lasting impressions. Most... Read More

Budget Your Branding

It is very important to regularly monitor your advertising activities... Read More

50 Unbelievable Benefits Of Joint Venture Marketing

What Is A Joint Venture?A joint venture is an agreement... Read More

Online Magazine Subscription Services Make Shopping Online Fun For Magazines

If recreating the old experience of subscribing to magazines by... Read More

Should You Clap For Your Customers?

Does it make sense to clap for your customers? It... Read More

Networking Basics Turn Yourself Into A Profit Making Giant

I would like to introduce you to one of my... Read More

How To Achieve Success With Your Own Money Making Newsletter

Writing and publishing a successful newsletter is perhaps the most... Read More

Beyond the Booth

With the advent of spring, trade shows begin to blossom.... Read More