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Networking

Access Assumptions

by Randall on January 17, 2012

Filed in: Blog, Global Business, Make It Happen Tipsheet, Networking

Tagged as: , ,

One Billion.  You may think I’m referring to the number of Facebook and LinkedIn users, but I’m not.  I’m referring to the approximate population of India.

India retailer - no web site

Note the wide variety of merchandise: from cigarettes to life insurance

While on a trip there, I decided to take pictures of local businesses, then compare the “real” with their Social Media presence.  Sadly, I was unable to find more than a handful on the web, let alone on the Social web; the notable exception being a few of the global brands.

Instead, I found a thriving entrepreneurial culture, where everyone – from the richest to the (almost) poorest – is connected in two ways: by cellphone, and in the real world.  The majority of the billion (95% to be exact) are busy living, rather than voyeuristically watching others live via Facebook – they don’t even have internet access.

The 5% have their favorite Social Networks, including Facebook, LinkedIn, Ibibo and Bharatstudent.  But for those of us who spend significant time with our own Social Media favorites, 95% is an important reminder:  most of the world is connected with real world relationships – not virtual ones.

This week’s action plan:  Is it possible that you have been neglecting the part of your network that isn’t regularly online?  Or isn’t online in your chosen social network?  This week, look through your electronic black book for those who are missing, and reach out to them in a way that is comfortable for them.

Lea Brovedani and Randall Craig in Mumbai, IndiaPS:  This is another example of how sprinkling more Social Media “juice” over an opportunity will not magically create more opportunity.  Organizations need to crack the relationship nut, and Social Media is but one vector that can help.

PPS:  While in Mumbai, I recently spent some time with fellow professional speaker Lea Brovedani for dinner.  While we did coordinate our plans using LinkedIn, we actually met in person at the restaurant.  Real-world networking in action!

Who is your Mahamood?

by RandallCraig on December 6, 2011

Filed in: Blog, Make It Happen Tipsheet, Networking

Tagged as: , ,

Ever wonder about the impact you made with those you’ve touched? Whether you would be remembered or not? And for what?

Every so often, we get a stark reminder of this: someone doesn’t remember you – but you think they should. Or someone comes up to you and reminds you about a special conversation – but you have no idea who they are.

Recently, I had an experience that reminded me about the importance of connection – the real world sort. I was invited to a reception for the most senior, respected, veterans of the speaking world. (I was just elected to a board and the invitation was a courtesy.) This was something I was quite looking forward to, so it might seem surprising that the first 15 minutes of the reception were not spent with the honorees. They were spent with Mahamood – one of the waiters.

Seven years earlier, I ran a series of public seminars – about 45 of them – at the Marriott Eaton Centre in Toronto, Canada. Every Tuesday night I would show up to the hotel with video projector, screen, and supplies, and begin preparing for the evening’s workshop. And every Tuesday night, Mahamood did the room set-up.

Fast forward: when I showed up at the reception, Mahamood was one of the waiters. He recognized me instantly and thus began our conversation. It was wonderful reconnecting after so many years.  This reconnection is what made the event so special.

This week’s action plan: It’s not just the number of connections you have, but the impact you make. This week, answer the question: Are there any Mahamoods in your midst?

Postscript: I’ve written to the Marriott Eaton Centre, and shared this story with their management. The hospitality industry is filled with many Mahamoods, but this one is special… and has a great memory.

 

Network Strength

by RandallCraig November 10, 2010

How powerful is your network? Or rather, how do you make your network even more powerful than it already is? Try these four strategies: 1) Go Wide: Get more people onto your network list. This is often done at networking events. 2) Go for Quality: Get “better”, more relevant people onto your list. This is [...]

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Who’s your Charlie?

by RandallCraig September 1, 2010

One of the most productive ways to see a country, especially where you don’t speak the language, is to hire a private guide. You get an insider’s perspective, a translator, and a driver all rolled into one. And if you are lucky enough to have a tour guide like Charlie, then you might also learn [...]

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Respect Your Referrals

by RandallCraig August 17, 2010

One of the most powerful concepts in networking is “Give to Get”: the more you help other people, the more they will help you. Give to Get also has a longer term benefit: the longer you do it, the more powerful your relationships and the more positive your reputation. A great networking question is how [...]

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Best of… Networking

by RandallCraig April 28, 2010

Of the hundreds of tipsheets that I have written over the years, I am often asked which are the "best" ones about a particular subject. Not surprisingly, networking comes up over and over again. Over the next several months, I will list some of the most effective tips and perspectives. Today, it’s networking: Give and [...]

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Social (Support) Networks

by RandallCraig March 23, 2010

What happens when you are stumped? In the “olden days” of just 3-4 years ago, you would apply time to the problem, researching different alternatives until you had a viable solution. If you were more clever, you’d reach out to your network – working the phone and email until you found someone who could help. [...]

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Networking fundamentals

by RandallCraig June 17, 2009

With the change in seasons, the venues for networking may change, but not the fundamentals. Consider these five key networking concepts; are you doing them all? 1) Give to Get: Add value to your network by sending magazine clippings, web links, or other materials to them, without asking for anything in return. This concept – [...]

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Network Values

by RandallCraig May 5, 2009

When it comes to networking, the focus seems always to be on quantity. How many cards in your rolodex? How many names in your computer? How many LinkedIn Connections? Unfortunately, in our quest to supersize our network, we often forget about the importance of its quality. Let’s face it: a network of ten people who [...]

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Not Yet

by RandallCraig April 7, 2009

Have you ever been asked whether you had a particular skill, and struggled to answer when the answer is clearly “no”? While no one appreciates spin, there are a number of ways to answer, each with a unique nuance: Answer: Yes: If you are part of the Fake it ’til you make it school of [...]

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Mastermind

by RandallCraig March 16, 2009

What would it be worth to you if you could have four times more education, five times the experience, or six times the number of available hours that you currently have? How much better might you do if you had four mentors, four coaches, and maybe even a built-in personal advisory board? All of this [...]

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Personal Branding Proxy

by RandallCraig February 10, 2009

If you think about the various consumer products that you use, most of them enjoy significant brand equity. Each brand name represents a series of attributes: when you think of IBM, for example, you might think of dependable technology for big business; Apple, on the other hand, might represent sleek, easy-to-use technology for the younger [...]

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Just Ask

by RandallCraig December 23, 2008

We ask others for things all of the time: on the job, with our families, and in the community. Yet, we aren’t always met with the response we want. How can we improve our odds? 1) Ask for something specific. If people don’t know exactly what you want, they will always decline. No one likes [...]

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The World Revolves Around Others

by RandallCraig December 16, 2008

The harder you work, the greater your rewards. These words are pounded into our brains from an early age – but are they true? Unfortunately, our rewards are determined not just by how hard we work, but also by those we work with, and especially our managers. If we want to succeed – or sometimes [...]

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Network Intention

by RandallCraig December 1, 2008

Each holiday season, there is no end to the number of parties, receptions, get-togethers, and other opportunities to spread the good cheer. Some people enjoy this opportunity, and others loathe it. Even for those interested in networking, the “fake smiles” that seemingly must be worn at these events can become tiring. So what to do? [...]

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The Host

by RandallCraig May 13, 2008

Who do you prefer being – the host or the guest? When you are asked to attend an event, it is a validation of your skills, experience, and your importance. Of course, being a guest has it’s obligations: if the invitation is a personal one, you often will bring a small gift. If it’s professional, [...]

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One Phone Call

by RandallCraig March 25, 2008

If you could make one – and only one – phone call to move your career forward, who would it be to? And what would you say? If you could arrange one – and only one – meeting to move your career forward, who would you call? And what would you say? Would the call [...]

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Breaking Convention

by RandallCraig January 22, 2008

Recently, I came back from the annual convention of an association that I am highly involved in. There were plenty of keynotes, workshops, and networking that were excellent at the time. But the value of attending only accrues after you come home. The next time you attend a conference or trade show, break the conventional [...]

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Networking Choices: Deepen your relationships, or find new ones?

by RandallCraig December 25, 2007

Everyone knows the importance of a network, but what if you have recently moved to a new city (or country), and you don’t know a single person? Or if you are a young person just beginning a career, and your network doesn’t yet exist? How can you use your network if you don’t have one? [...]

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Notworking

by RandallCraig December 4, 2007

How much time have you “invested” in networking on web-based networking sites? While some people merely respond to connection requests, others are practically addicted. There is a preconception that networking is your connection to your contacts. While partly true, networking is really the positive act of strengthening these connections. By this definition, successful networking isn’t [...]

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