Networking - Giving Over Time
Posted by MyChoices on 01/26/08 in Automotive, Business
As I walked out of the radio station building, I reflected on my great good fortune. I’d only been a member of the Chamber of Commerce for one week and already they’d had me write an article for their monthly B2B publication, speak in front of their monthly networking lunch, and now they’d invited me to participate in a fifteen minute radio interview. They’d even sent work my way. Apparently, all you have to do to make this networking stuff pay off is just sign up!
Right.
OK, I have received all of those benefits (and more!) from my association with my local Chamber, but it certainly didn’t all happen in only a week and I definitely had to do more than just sign up. Advanced networkers know that this just isn’t the way it works. It takes time and effort to gain the benefits of networking. It’s the “giving” part of the old networking motto “Givers gain”.
The first question we have to ask upon considering any networking group, whether Chamber of Commerce, local charity, or the fraternal order of weasel trainers, is “How can I help?” Now, here’s the big trick - you must be sincere. You have to participate without expectation of any specific return. You are trying to create a relationship here - a friendship, if you will. Signing up to help and showing only a half-hearted effort (or not showing up at all) is worse than not offering to help in the first place. The group you are joining will know if you are only pretending to participate because you think you can take advantage of them.
For any real benefits to come of it, joining an organization must be about what you can contribute, not what you expect to gain. When I first joined the local Chamber, I immediately became an Ambassador, one of a group of volunteers who help out with the Chamber in a variety of capacities. Since that time, I’ve delivered welcome baskets to new members, gotten up early in the morning to set up for events, and, in general, acted as an unpaid professional staff member.
Was it work? Yes - but not nearly has much as you would think. In fact, except for the alarm clock occasionally getting me up earlier than I prefer, I’ve always had a lot of fun working next to the folks from the Chamber. Was it worth it? Absolutely. As time went on I developed some great friendships with the Chamber staff and membership. I’ve made connections that are extending my network all over this area. I’ve met interesting and fun people - even some local celebrities. Of course, I shouldn’t forget to include all of those opportunities (speaking, writing, etc) that I mentioned before.
All of that stuff is great, but the one thing I really treasure was when the Chamber’s Membership Director called me up to ask if I would like to be her guest in that radio interview. She said, “Greg, you are the first person that came to mind.”
And when it comes to networking and word-of-mouth, top of mind is where we all want to be.
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Greg Peters is the owner and superhero-in-residence of Cyber Data Solutions. CDS has been helping website designers develop better web presence for their clients for more than a decade. We specialize in tools which help folks keep their websites up to date, fresh, and interesting. Visit us on the Web at www.cyberdatasolns.com to see how we can help your webmaster.
Tags: business relationships, chamber of commerce, networking, networking groups, word of mouth
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