To enhance our opportunities for success, we should surround ourselves with amazing people. To make the most of our time, we should have a connection plan. Follow these 10 steps and grow your network!
2. Relationships are
the Key To Success
Whether you are trying to attract new customers,
expand your opportunities, or just looking for
more meaningful business relationships, your
connections are the most important resources
you will ever have. Surround yourself with
amazing people and you will always find success.
3. Have a Connection Plan
1
As part of your weekly tasks, make time to
connect with new people, reconnect with old
contacts, and strengthen your current
relationships. Give yourself a target and
schedule it. You will find it is easier and you won’t
let relationships and opportunities slip.
4. Be Authentic: Have a WHY
2
People want to do business with those they know,
like, and trust. To be trustworthy, you must be
genuine. Have a strong passion and purpose
behind what you do. What do you believe in?
When people ask, “What do you do?” can you get
them excited because you have a powerful WHY?
5. Give Value First
3
When meeting people, don’t look for ways they
can help you. Actively seek out cues for ways you
can add value to their lives. How can you provide
resources that will help them in their business?
What about providing referrals? Before your next
interaction, set your intention to adding value.
6. Ask Awesome Questions
4
When connecting with others, get really good at
asking questions about them. Become insatiably
curious about everyone you meet. Often, we are
just waiting for our turn to speak, but we forget
that our most important skill to develop is that of
listening, and more importantly, understanding.
7. Have a Three-Way
5
Our world is made up of a network of
interdependent relationships between many
people. Find ways to include more people in the
conversation. Train yourself to look for signals in
conversations that would be good reasons to
connect them to another person.
8. Be a Master Introducer
6
Identify opportunities to connect two or more
people and practice being an introducer. Promote
people to each other in a way that gets them
excited to meet and feel empowered. You will
become known as a connector and there is
nothing more powerful than a warm introduction.
9. Don’t Rely on Technology
7
Often we mistake tools like social media, email,
and texting as replacements to real connections.
Make it a major part of your plan to have face to
face meetings and genuine interactions. Don’t
fall into the trap of seeing your digital hyper-
connectivity as adequate relationship building.
10. Use “You/Because”
8
Practice this. When meeting people, ensure you
use the word “YOU” as it is the number one word
we like to hear. When you combine it with the
word “because,” we increase the level of buy-in
to well over 90%. Keep in mind that your
“because” must be genuine and relevant. Try it.
11. Be Interesting
9
Read books, engage in high level conversations,
and challenge yourself to think. When you get
into conversations, make it a habit to try and
increase the level of the discussion (without
being a know-it-all). If you want to attract
interesting people, you have to be interesting.
(PS – I just thought this
image was hilarious)
12. Pay Attention
10
Always be on the lookout for opportunities. To
connect, to listen, and to observe. When you
start seeing yourself as a genuine connector, you
will quickly find ways to add value and cultivate
amazing, long-lasting relationships. It takes effort,
it takes intention, and it takes practice. Enjoy it!
13. Will You Go
and Connect?
Find
out
More:
Take the first step and start your connection
game plan. Make a list of people to connect with
this week and go get it done. Want more tips?