FORUM OFFICERS:

President
Mark Friedrich

Vice President
Kim Shadley

Secretary
Paul Zacovic

Treasurer
Jeff Davies

Networking Tips

Here are a few useful ideas on how to get the most value from your investment of time and energy in business networking. Keep in mind that our approach at Consultants Forum may a bit different from other more "high pressure" networking groups you may be familiar with. We are much more interested in building strong relationships that will be of value to our business and personal lives in the long term.

For us, it's not just about getting hot leads (although that can often happen!), it's about building a network of ethical, professional, well connected individuals with a wide variety of contacts and resources that we can depend on to consistently assist us in our business and personal success. We believe in helping ourselves by helping others!

With that in mind, here are
Ten Valuable Tips on Getting the Most from Business Networking:

1. Spend time getting to know other Forum members. Remember that only a fraction of the leads and other value can come from what happens at monthly meetings. Have lunch with one of your co-members and get to know one another so you can better understand each other's needs and be in a better position to help one another.


2. Remember that the value you get from networking will be directly proportional to the value you give. Look for opportunities, leads, and information that will be of value to other members. Those who get actively involved in helping others will most often find others will then go out of their way to help them too.


3. Be clear about the types of leads, referrals, and other assistance you're seeking at any given time. The more other members understand what you need, the more they'll be able to assist you.


4. Do attend the monthly meetings as often as possible. Regular attendance gives you more opportunities to interact with members and their guests and to give and receive value. And of course, every meeting is a chance to promote your business.


5. Invite new guests to monthly meetings. Introducing new people to the group can only help spread our contacts and help your guests as well.


6. Focus on building trust and genuine, sincere relationships. Remember that we are here to enrich one another not only in business and financial terms, but in our personal lives as well.


7. When it's possible and appropriate, consider doing business with other Forum members. Many of our members do business with one another and use each other's services on a regular basis. Supporting other members' businesses helps build your relationships with them and will also come back to you in a variety of other ways. And anyway, who wouldn't want to do business with people they already know and trust?


8. Be clear on what you offer in your business and how it is of most benefit to your customers and prospects, and find ways to convey that concisely and clearly. Being able to communicate what you offer effectively will help other members better understand your business and be in a position to help.


9. Similarly, become as familiar with other members' businesses, the types of products and services they offer, and the most important benefits to their customers. This will put you in a better position to send them leads and referrals as well.


10. Remember that we take the "Consultants" part of Consultants Forum very seriously. Most of our members are experts in their various fields, and they can be a wealth of information on a variety of valuable topics. And of course, be ready to offer advice to other members in areas where you may have expertise. In this way, we all have our own personal "expert board of advisors" at hand whenever we need assistance in those areas outside our own field.