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“Sometimes a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do — that is, tell her friends about another networking rock star in her world. You know I’m an expert in building a business referral network so I would know who the other experts are — right? Of course, I do! What kind of expert works in a vacuum?”

Carrie Smith
Networking Rock Star

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Sometimes a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do — that is, tell her friends about another networking rock star in her world. You know I’m an expert in building a business referral network so I would know who the other experts are — right? Of course, I do! What kind of expert works in a vacuum?

One of my favorite networking peer experts is Peter Biadasz from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Peter is the author of More Leads: The Complete Handbook for Tips Groups, Leads Groups, and Networking Groups and Powerful People are Powerful Networkers. Peter was the speaker I featured at my very first High-Octane Networking Power Breakfast last year. This month, I’m featuring Peter’s networking expertise.

Networking Failure — Guaranteed

By Peter Biadasz

Because there is so much fantastic material available on how to acquire and sharpen your networking skills, I thought I would take a different approach.

You see, in teaching the art of people networking for almost 20 years, I have talked with many who who say networking is not for them or that networking just does not work. In analyzing those reasons, I have found some shared qualities among these networking failures.

If you want to guarantee your failure as a networker, do some or all the following:

1) Don’t recognize you are a networker. A networker is someone who interacts with others. By not realizing that you are actually networking everyday, you will not work on the skills necessary to become more effective in your daily, common interactions.

2) Don’t organize your network. Networkers should be a total resource for everyone they come into contact with. By not organizing your network (and studies have shown that you know at least 200 people), you will be of no use to anyone who has a need. Let others ask other people they know instead of asking you. Why should you be a reliable source to assist others both personally and professionally?

3) Have a terrible attitude. People interact and buy from people they like. Be negative, complain, don’t compliment others, and frown. If you do this enough, you probably won’t know enough people to bother with Item 2.

4) Don’t pass leads to others. If you see that someone may have a need, either personally or professionally — above all — do not assist them in their success. By not assisting others, you are guaranteeing they will not assist you in your success.

5) Do not attend networking functions. However, if you must attend, don’t initiate conversations — just eat the food. Maintain an attitude that others must come up to you to talk at these functions. Your attitude will attract — or detract — them as in Item 3 above.

6) Do not join a networking group. If you do accidentally get into a group, do not pass leads. A networking group is designed to be your own private marketing department. In exchange, you market the other members to your contacts. Resist the urge to tell anyone you know about them. Make sure to complain when they do not give you leads. Again, eat a lot of the food at the meetings.

7) Do not visit with people in your network one-on-one to find out how you can better assist them. One-on-one meetings are for those who truly want to add value to their lives and the lives of others.

8) Do not prepare a 30-second commercial. When asked to explain what you do, act uninterested and bored with your profession. Be sure you go over your time limit if in a group setting, and repeat yourself twice. It will help burn the minutes if you call attention to all the negative things about yourself. Especially include how you think you are a terrible speaker and you hate to talk in front of groups.

9) Do not be a professional at the art of networking. Never follow up on leads given to you, don’t give leads (as discussed in Item 4) above, and in general, do not attempt to add value to the lives of others.

10) Procrastinate!!! Why work to be a better networker today whet you can start tomorrow? Why not finish reading this article next week?

IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ. If you desire to be a master networker, just do the opposite of the list you just read. You will not only be amazed and satisfied at the results, but will be a guaranteed networking success. My desire is for your success, but your success is up to you.

Copyright 2007 Peter Biadasz, used with permission

 

Peter Biadasz is the author of More Leads: The Complete Handbook for Tips Groups, Leads Groups, and Networking Groups and co-author of the Power Series, which includes Powerful People Are Powerful Networkers. A graduate of Florida State University, Peter’s passion for and expertise in the area of people networking has aided many over the years. Experience has shown that the people and groups working with Peter have an increase in the quality of many key skills required in becoming a master networker. Furthermore, an excitement for the topics at hand, as never before seen, emerges as those involved transform into distinguished and mature networkers. Peter sometimes utilizes his professional trumpet talent to liven up speaking engagements.

Learn more about Peter by clicking here. Better yet, buy his books while you're there. I have only 10 of each left in the book store.