I do a fair amount of networking these days.

For a while I really did not understand networking but now I love it. I’m going to show you how this pig thing ties into networking.

Have you ever heard the one about the Ham & Eggs breakfast?

The chicken was involved – the pig was totally committed?

What I’ve discovered is in order to succeed and continue to succeed at anything you must have pig level commitment. The minute your commitment starts to fizzle your results will show.

I go to a few networking groups that give each member a minute or two per meeting to “tell the group what you do.”

Recently I got up and told the ham and egg thing and then said… “And I must confess, I’m a pig!” (pause). Everyone chuckled.

And then I went into the numerous ways I am committed to my clients and my business.

OK– back to networking. Which really is just getting to know people a little. Trying to figure out how you can help them. If there are two people both looking to help each other you end up with a valuable exchange.

Are you doing it?

Are you doing it right?

Are you “pig-committed to it?”

You should be. But if you’re still dipping a toe in the water here’s some ideas for you whether you run your own business or not.

1)Find a productive group.

Chambers are a good start – but often times their primary focus is not networking. So you end up with more “social-slanted” networking rather than really finding out what others do and letting them know what you do. So start with the Chamber and ask members where else they “network.” Most good networkers are also chamber members.

2)Be consistent and committed.

I have seen so many sporadic business people in my networking circles. Heck, for a while I was guilty of this too. Once you get started – keep at it. It’s the only way to build trust and rapport.

3)Meet one on one.

A sit down between two business people who are genuinely interested in helping each other synergize and grow can be really productive. Not all of these meetings will turn into gold, but a few will.

OK– I have more of these, but this is a good start when it comes to networking.

On one of my recent TV shows I had the chance to sit down with Leslie Sturgeon. Leslie started her first business twenty plus years ago. Since that time she has expanded and now runs 3 different businesses. One of those is really her true passion in life. It’s about 9 minutes.

We discuss…

• Simple Tips for Starting Your Business or Taking Your Career to The Next Level
• How to Effectively Network and Get Others to Help You
• How More Doors Can Open When You Take Action
• The Clint Eastwood Model for Success

Keep in mind, this 9 minute video was taken from a 30 minute interview. We did our best to get you as much “meat” as possible!

Enjoy!

Here’s a Quick Tip to Help You Stand Out A Little & Be Remembered…

I not an expert on networking and have never played one on TV or Radio.

But this week on “Mike D’s Mobilazational Monday’s,” (my weekly radio show on WSMN 1590 in Nashua) I had two guests who run local networking groups.

Their respective groups have grown in recent months.

So Don Daigle & Joanne Randall stopped by the station to talk about effective networking.

This 8 minute video is only a small segment of what we covered, but I know you’ll enjoy and pull something from it.

OH– and One Danger of Facebook you’ll want to listen up for.

And our little blunder at the end!

Enjoy…