Great Sites Blog

This is a specific Great Sites challenge, that I have devised myself, without looking at any other website, at all! Why not give it a try, and let me know how it works for you?

Networking exercise – something for you to try – make a list of everyone you ALREADY know within the existing categories of “whom you should network with” (previous article).  Now, separate them into 2 categories – people you really like or feel an affinity for, or are excited about, or care about – and everyone else.  Be thoroughly honest with yourself about this.  Now for those people that you really like, make a list of everything you know about them, what they do etc. Again, divide the list into people for whom you can see easy ways for them to get involved  with your business or buy from it, and everyone else.

Now the challenge is to get in touch with these people that you are genuinely interested in or excited by – but make sure you keep the dialogue alive – find out what is happening in their world – invite them out for coffee. Use the  two separate categories – people who could easily get involved with your business, and everyone else. Make sure you make time for people whom you cannot see actively supporting your business, so that you are not 100% concerned with issues revolving around your own business all the time.

The listening challenge. Try not to say ANYTHING about you or your business, but simply listen – how are things genuinely with them?  How are they managing the current economic crisis?  Try to listen, try to understand.

Keep talking to them! If you struggle to speak to someone, ask yourself if you are really that interested in who they are or what they do.  It should be a lot easier to keep up with your contacts if you deliberately cultivate contacts that you are genuinely excited about.

Now in business, practically speaking, you cannot deal only with people that you like. However, it may be that by focusing on these people and what genuinely exercises your interest, it will help you to be more excited about your business, and this will help you to be more positive for everyone!

Did it work for you?  Did you find yourself giving more of yourself, or being more enthusiastic about your business, or even winning more business for yourself?  In that case, why not make it a monthly exercise?  Please let me have your thoughts below – what do you think of this exercise?  Is it worthwhile, or hopelessly doomed to failure?  I’d always love to hear what you all think!