Why I've Shifted My Focus from Mostly Networking to Building Relationships

Why I’ve Changed My Focus to

 Building Relationship!

What Networking has Meant to Me

To me, networking is reaching out to people, B2B and B2C so they become aware of my existence. Why? Because no one will patronize my business if they are not aware of its existence.

My Networking Experience

So, I began networking, with business cards in-hand, so people could discover my company’s obvious value. 

I quickly learned that there are many, many varied networking styles and group techniques. Some groups occur weekly. Other groups have scheduled presentations or, focus on a ‘speed dating’ format. Some networking groups are free while others charge a fee. Some have a defined membership theme while others are open to the public. Of course, this is just a sampling of networking groups and styles.

Why I Think Networking is Important

I’ve found the core theme of most groups is to enhance people-people connectivity, designed to provide a competitive advantage in their industry. 

Yes, I understand the philosophy and, appreciate the value of networking. However, I (too) often have found myself going to networking events, cards in-hand, with the primary intent to gain new clients. I’d accommodate their ‘pitch’ long enough for the opportunity to share my ‘pitch’. 

I’ve often watched in awe those networkers who avidly networked by the clock. If no clear commitment to ‘close’ within 2 minutes (much like the speed-dating format), they quickly move on to the next potential client. Although I respect those who adhere to the volume-based connection, As an introvert, I’ve never been artful with this technique.

Why I’ve Converted from Networking to Building Relationships

However, a recent One-One meeting has accelerated my evolving approach to networking. It really is about building relationships, instead of just grabbing for the ‘sale’.

Here’s my story

I recently decided to reach out to a business owner that I’d crossed paths with at several networking events. Eventually, we began acknowledging each other with eye contact and an occasional verbal encounter. I never considered her as any mutual value because her business is in cosmetics (after all, I am a guy).

However, our brief engagements were always pleasant and professional and, she clearly had a sharp mind. I decided to request an Eye-Eye, adhering to the principal that the purpose of networking is to build relationships. I attended this meeting without any intention to make a ‘sale’ or avoiding the risk of being ‘sold’.

Because my sole expectation was to build a new relationship, the entire encounter turned out to be a novel and enriching experience.

Relationships Designed to Build Value

Too often I’ve experienced the other networking contact telling to meet near their office, regardless of how far apart we might be based, while also designating a day and time to meet. Clearly, I’ve been slotted to maximize their efficiency. Efficient for them as they’ve apparently decided that their time/effort was much more valuable than mine. 

However, (I’ll call her) Sue and I spent much of our pre-meeting dialogue trying to accommodate the time-value of each other, regarding our location, day and time. At our actual meeting, we were focused on learning about each other, our journey, our mission and our projections. Our talk was anything but about our business. Again, I’m a guy and cosmetics talk just doesn’t grab me.

Our conversation was engaging and expansive as we learned more about each other. The most amazing part was our realization that we shared almost identical values of service, quality and work ethic. We decided to enter into a mutual business venture that will likely provide us a significant advantage in the designated market.

My New Focus– It’s all about Building Relationships!

Joseph Wesley

JNL Creative Tours LLC

www.jnlcreativetours.com

Once Your Brand-Value is Clear,

The Sale is Done!

JNL Creative Tours LLC, providing even Better Value for your Business, as a recent FastTrac® participant

Joseph Wesley and Sandra Holtman

My FastTrac® Experience

I'm proud to announce that I recently completed a FastTrac® Growth Venture™ program. I shared this experience with a group of female co-participants who each brought an exceptional entrepreneurial legacy with them to the FastTrac® 10-week course. I found FastTrac® to be demanding, aggravating, challenging, exhilarating, insightful, motivating and, very productive and rewarding. 

I shared this experience with a group of female co-participants who each brought an exceptional entrepreneurial legacy with them to the FastTrac® course. Under the direction of Sandra Holtzman, a FastTrac Certified Facilitator, their unique insights nicely rounded out the ‘real life’ aspects of the challenges and successes of creating and running a viable business.

Sandra Holtzman’s gruff exterior poorly concealed her inner warmth, sharp mind and commitment to our successful course completion was contagious. She’s absolutely a rich cornucopia of insightful business experience and expertise, along with a vast pool of valuable resources and referrals.

My journey began with a recommendation from MRCC (Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce) made to WCEC. WCEC then conducted a rigorous interview process prior to my acceptance into the FastTrac® program.

WCEC’s http://www.wcecnj.org, mission is to ‘provide the tools for women to successfully own, operate and grow their small businesses, thereby investing financially, intellectually and emotionally in their community’. Fortunately for me, they also will include some men into their program.

The Kauffman FastTrac®’s mission is to ‘equip aspiring entrepreneurs with the business skills and insights, tools, resources, and peer networks necessary to start and grow successful businesses’, https://fasttrac.org/.

My accumulation of business savvy, resources and newly formed networking associates has provided extraordinary value for me, my company, and most importantly for my clients. I highly recommend you contact WCEC to learn more about their mission and programs, including FastTrac®.

Joseph Wesley

JNL Creative Tours LLC

https://www.jnlcreativetours.com/

Generating Prospects to Strengthen your Company’s Bottom Line, through Creative Tour Events

In only 3 mins, Discover and Take Advantage of Secondary Referrals to Build Your Business.

In only 3 mins. discover why secondary referrals are invaluable resources to enhance my business growth.

JNL Creative Tours, LLC,  generating prospects to enhance your business growth, through creative tour events.

A critical step to defining & attracting your ideal Client is becoming their ideal Agent

This 4.5 min video reveals the value of branding yourself as the ideal agent to become that magnet to attracts your ideal client. JNL Creative Tours, LLC,  generating prospects for your business through creative tour events.

Transform your inner value into a magnet for your ideal clients.

Welcoming in the New Year is a great catalyst to reboot your business into a higher energy level. This 3 min. YouTube video provides a useful starting point.

JNL Creative Tours, LLC  generating prospects for your business through creative tour events.

Stand Out from the competition for Business Success

This 5 min video provides insight on how to get a head start on the competition so that your business stands out as a valued service instead of simply another negotiable commodity. The linked article provides 4 clear steps to accelerate your business, http://www.success.com/article/stand-out-from-the-crowd. 

JNL Creative Tours, LLC generates viable prospects to build your business through creative tour events.

Hot Button Marketing to Close the Deal

Do you know your prospects' hot button to push

to close the deal? Mine is fudge brownies.

While not sponsoring the 'sale' portion of the following link we do share the value of Hot Button techniques to build your business, http://www.businessknowhow.com/marketing/hot-button-marketing.htm.

JNL Creative Tours LLC are engagement experts who helps your business stand out as a valued service instead of simply a negotiable commodity, through creative tour events. #jnlct

Jumping your business ahead of the competition with undercover networking.

Click pic to view 8 min video: 

Us business types all understand the necessity of networking in building our business However, particularly at networking events, the challenge is still, how to stand apart from the competition.

One web designer recently asked at a peer-peer networking group,'how can he distinguish his business from the other web designers in the room'. The field is crowded and the perceived techniques are similar.

The answer may be Undercover Networking. This 8 min video will show you how it can provide your business an invaluable edge over the competition.

JNL Creative Tours LLC are engagement experts who facilitates the growth of your company's bottom line through creative tour events.

Take advantage of Big Game marketing that fits inside your budget

This video is about achieving Big Game marketing at a budget that fits your business. This blog provides timely insights for promoting your business, http://blog.behalf.com/3-ways-to-take-advantage-of-super-bowl-sunday-without-spending-millions/.

JNL Creative Tours, LLC - we generate referrals to strengthen your company's or association's bottom through creative tour events. 

Share your Expertise - Show your Value - Build your Business

 

Investing the time to build relationships can generate invaluable referrals for enhancing your company's bottom line. Look at it like having a residual income that keeps working all by itself, for your business, in the form of referrals that does not inflate your budget or add excessive time to your clock.

This 2 min video nicely summarizes the concept of sharing your expertise to grow your business, through better value branding. 

This article provides 10 ways to share your expertise. Both resources are designed to get results for your company.

The common theme is to engage your audience, share common values, as you develop mutually beneficial relationships designed to strengthen your/their company's bottom line.

JNL Creative Tours, LLC is a creative events tour company that generates viable referrals leading to a stronger bottom line for your business. Your prospects, or clients, may step onto the bus as individuals but will step off to your venue as a part of your expanded network.

I work Hard for my Money so why should I give any to You?

I work hard for my money, and I barely know you, so why should I give your business more of my time or money?

Do you, waaay too often, bump into this attitude both from your current clients and fresh prospects? You've already given them your business card, met over lunch and followed up with several phone calls. What's left?

According to a recent study by FedEx®, there is a proven marketing solution, ROR, that can elicit greater customer loyalty and patronage. Their study demonstrates that a company can anticipate up to 30% increased business growth, both in numbers and volume, by developing a solid ROR (return on relationship) marketing program.

ROR is about building relationships with your clients and prospects that can produce a stronger and more consistent bottom line. Discover, for your business, what FedEx® already uses for their business growth. The same ROR factor can ideally work for nonprofits to raise much needed funds for growing missions, also.

JNL Creative Tours, LLC provides creative bus tour events that are designed to build relationships that can lead to endorsements to create a stronger bottom line for your business. Your prospects may step onto the bus as individuals but will step off to your venue as a part of your expanded network.

Yes, in the Linkedin family you Do get to Choose your Relatives

We anticipate certain things from family, such as support and loyalty. We tolerate certain things about family, such as habits and attitudes. After all, family is family, and we don't get to choose how those genes spill out into the world. 

It's often said that one doesn't get to choose their family members. So, it’s not unheard of that we may also try to keep any family skeletons hidden away.

The Linkedin Family

I have discovered a certain affinity to Linkedin as an extended family. I assume that members are savvy to understand, and sharp enough to act on the potential resources offered by Linkedin. After all, I joined Linkedin with the intent to enhance my business success.

When I meet a new contact, and as we exchange cards, I ask if they belong to Linkedin. If they say yes, I smile...I've just discovered a new family member that I can interact and grow with.

Building your Business can be less stressful

My natural skills is servicing my business. I'm very good at what I do and I offer an excellent product that's backed by fantastic service. However, I'm aware that networking is an important tool to build my business but I often find that the process can be very stressful. 

Some people seem to thoroughly enjoy networking events. They're surrounded by an ever present and tight circle of friends. The continual roar of dialogue bangs against my eardrums.

Excellent Business is Exceeding Expectations

I recently read an update from a member of my Linkedin network that, good business is meeting the needs of your client. My response was we have found that, excellent business means exceeding the expectations of your client.

As we talk about 'generating business', we may overlook that we actually mean we're 'interacting with people'. Here at JNL Creative Tours, we've learned that people more readily trust and respond to relationships that they feel good about. 

We've observed that prospects in the second group are much more likely to brag about their experience from and value of your business, to their associates. Some would call this a recommendation, likely to have far more value than any formal presentation by your company or organization.

We call this good marketing.

JNL Creative Tours, LLC, building relationships for a stronger bottom line through creative bus tour events.

Why I stopped passing-out at those networking events

A few years back I often found myself passing-out at networking events. I had business cards printed with bold lettering, embossed design and a holographic logo. I spent a lot of time of the card's design because I was convinced that these special cards would make my business pop.

I was primed, with cards in hand, to attend the very next networking event. I'd made it a point to arrive early so I would have maximal opportunity to immediately begin passing-out my business cards. I would extend to right hand not to shake their hand but to pass out my newly created business icon.

Beginning to get the picture?

I'm now a Linkedin Publisher. So What?!?

Being a Linkedin Publisher allows me to share my perspectives in a more complete and meaningful manner. Still, so what!?!

Admittedly when I first looked at Linkedin, to put it mildly, it didn't interest me. However a business associate persisted that I become a member, so I eventually joined. What to lose, its free.

Even after joining, I walked away from Linkedin due to more urgent aspects of my business. Its format seemed to be a combination of resumes and philosophical edicts, too dry and too irrelevant for my needs. I'm focused on building my business.

However the Linkedin name kept popping up in the social media circles, so I'm thinking perhaps there's something to this platform. I took another look at Linkedin and have since kept looking forward, this time with much greater clarity and focus.

Good marketing. To stand out, is it mostly about features or benefits.

I've read that good marketing is designed to elicit an action from your audience. Anything less is simply informing.

A quote I heard several years ago is, 'Features will cause buyers to Think, and Benefits will cause thinkers to Buy'. I still find its advice timely. Its meaning and value may not immediately obvious so I'll provide a few examples.