With Networking, It's All Giving a Lot to Get a Lot, Expert Says
Carol Wissmann, Guest Author
Special for the Arizona Business Gazette
Mar. 1, 2007 - 12:00 a.m.
Not your narrowly defined, I'm-here-to-drum-up-business networker, Larry James views networking in universal terms.
"Be willing to help, knowing it comes back to you," he said. "That's the whole principle of giving and receiving."
James, a Scottsdale-based professional speaker and coach, is author of Ten Commitments of Networking: Creative Ways to Maximize Your Personal Connections!
Having served on the board of directors of the National Speakers Association-Arizona, James is eloquent in his explanations. Founder of numerous
networking groups, one of his most successful (The Tulsa Business Connection) was estimated to have exchanged more than $2.5 million in business in only its second year.
"Networking isn't prospecting," James said. "It's not swooping into a room, collecting a bunch of business cards or tossing yours like
confetti into the air. Rather, offer your talents to help others achieve their goals while you're cultivating a network of people strategically
positioned to support you in achieving yours."
When attention turns to him, he said he tries to be clear and concise in a reply that's no longer than 30 seconds. James offers his name,
company name, specifically what he does, and the kind of business leads he is interested in, often repeating his name and business name again at the end.
James said that you can't become disappointed when someone whom you gave a lead to doesn't return one. Although it might be nice if networking,
and life in general, came in such exact 50/50 exchanges, he said it usually doesn't. Trust in the cosmic tally; the more you give, the more you get.
"More than anything, networking is a lifestyle," James said. "Contribute. Be of service. And pay attention to opportunities."
Copyright © - Carol Wissmann - Reprinted with permission. Carol Wissmann is a reporter for the Arizona Business Gazette.
• • •
Click on a book cover or book title link to place an order
The Six X-tremes of Power Business Networking: How to Get Your Business Noticed in Crowded Rooms! - Jeff Glaze - This 60-Page e-book breaks
all of the rules of modern business networking. It gives you detailed information on how to stand out from the rest of the crowd when you are
trying to promote your business. Whether you are a seasoned networker or a beginner, this e-book has information that can help you to be
more successful and increase recognition for both you and your business.
Larry's Review: An excellent read for enthusiastic networkers!
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Power Networking: 59 Secrets for Personal & Professional Success - Donna Fisher & Sandy Vilas - Packed with
59 proven networking methods for achieving success in all areas of your life, this inspiring book helps you to discover key networking skills to
show you how to make the requests that get the results you want.
Larry's Review: The importance of making important business connections cannot be understated.
Donna offers sound advice and encourages you to give up your shyness and offer to assist others as you build a network of support; one that
increases your visibility, expands your network and marks you as someone who is willing to do whatever it takes to succeed.
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The Essential Network: Success Through Personal Connections - John L. Bennett - This book is about establishing,
maintaining, and reaping the benefits of connections. It incorporates many personal stories to illustrate
the productive results that can occur from building connections. These include people who have found life-partners,
avoided personal and financial disasters, made career changes, built businesses, and met famous people.
Larry's Review: The principles of business networking in an easy-read and understandable format.
Highly recommended!
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The Networking Guy's Top 50 Tips: A Simple Guide to Networking Success - Dave Sherman - These 50 success-proven tips will change
forever the way you do things, bringing power and purpose to those brief encounters that once were meaningless and unproductive.
Easy to understand and simple to apply, they will show you precisely what it takes to become a comfortable and effective networker
in all situations - and with all persons - you encounter.
Larry's Review: I love this book! A quick-read, no nonsense book with everything you need
to know about being a successful networker! Read it and reap! Highly recommended!
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• If you would like to talk
one-on-one with Larry James about relationship issues related to this article, you are invited to arrange for a
private coaching session by telephone. Go to Networking Coaching
for specific details.
The
Networking Book Shelf
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Available in Book Stores!
To order, click
here.
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Networking is. . . using your creative talents to help others achieve their goals as you cultivate a
network of people strategically positioned to support you in your goals. . .
expecting nothing in return! - Larry James
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To order the "Ten Commitments of Networking," click
here.
More info, click here.
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