Ten Easy Ways to Become a Great Networker

When was the last time you were at a networking event? How many people did you approach? How many contacts did you make? Anybody can learn how to network, but real networking involves so much more than just "turning up".Internet and email is making face-to-face-encounters a thing of the past. Nowadays it is much easier to pick up the phone or shoot over a quick email. Reduced human interaction makes most people feel uncomfortable about networking. This is because it pushes them out of their comfort zone and means they have to talk to people they don't know. However, just one contact at a networking event may prove immensely valuable to your business in the future.Our businesses depend on our effective communication skills, but it is so easy for these skills to become rusty if they are not used regularly. Here are some tips that will instantly enhance your networking experiences:

Be prepared
Being prepared will help you to feel relaxed when you begin to network. The more you know about the event and the people there, the easier it will be to approach people and talk to them. Have a few business cards ready in your pocket for making those all-important contacts.

Dress well
This may not seem like an important point, but it is. Looking smart and well-dressed will boost your own confidence, and other people will notice that you are dressed well. It also helps to create a positive and professional image.

Don't try to talk to everyone
You'll never be able to speak to everyone at a networking event, simply because there just isn't the time. Instead, try to focus on networking with a small handful of people. The number of people that you can network with will depend on how much time you have.

Pay attention
With so many people and so much going on, it's easy to get distracted. Pick a few people and pay real attention when you are speaking to them. Really listen and be genuinely interested in what they are talking about. Make them feel like the most important person in the conversation. This will help to lay the foundations for a strong relationship in the future. People quickly notice if you are not paying attention when they speak.

Listen more than you speak
The truth is that everyone has self-interest at the core of their priorities. However, if you're speaking too much about yourself, people will quickly lose interest; making the relationship very unlikely to develop further. Instead, listen more than you speak. Ask insightful questions and establish a rapport.




Speak to people you don't know
We like to stick to what we know, which can make networking difficult. If you go to an event with a colleague or meet someone there that you know, it is best to split up. This way you won't miss out on one-off opportunities to network with people you may never meet again.

Make regular eye contact
Eye contact is a good sign of confidence, and will make people more likely to remember you. You will find it easier to connect with a person if you make regular eye contact.

Have an elevator pitch
A good elevator pitch should be about 30 seconds long. Remember, you are not trying to sell to someone at this point, rather to hook their interest. A good elevator pitch will turn a sixty second conversation into a five minute conversation, because it will hook the other person's interest. It should be well-practised but not come across as rehearsed. You should know exactly what you do and how you bring value.

Have an exit strategy
An exit strategy means that you don't have to speak to one person for too long. It will allow you to "work the room" and network with more than one person. An example of an exit strategy is introducing someone else into the conversation then leaving the conversation to network with someone else.

Follow-up
Networking is about far more than just collecting business cards; it's about forming real relationships that may be of great benefit to your business in the future. Always email or call your new connections soon after the event, as this will make it much more likely that they remember you. Great relationships are not built in five minutes. They can take months. The value of your networking will only be seen in the success of the follow-up.These tips are simple and easy to implement, yet will allow you to become one of the most effective and confident networkers in your organisation. Remember, one contact may be all that you need to take your business to the next level. Let confidence and professionalism ooze out the next time you network!

How To Negate Bogus Likes On Social Networks By Users Wanting to Get Reciprocal Likes?

Leave it to humans to try to manipulate everything in their lives from finances to relationships. Speaking of relationship manipulation consider the miss-use of social online networks if you will. Indeed, I've witnessed folks going out of their way to induce me to join their social networks even when we've never met, even blind solicitations via emails. I've also watched people post onto their social networking pages links which they believe will make them look good, not because they care, but to put on the proverbial masquerade. Let's talk shall we?There is a very interesting paper titled; "Exploiting Burstiness in Reviews for Review Spammer Detection," by Geli Fei, Arjun Mukherjee, Bing Liu, Meichun Hsu, Malu Castellanos, and Riddhiman Ghosh which looks at review spam on Amazon and uses algorithms to spot "burstiness" of certain types of reviews by users which did not buy the product.Now then, if we know the average time it takes someone to read "x-amount" of text, or the time of a video presentation on YouTube, then we can tell if someone actually read the blog post, news article, research paper, online eBook, or watch the video long enough to actually have formed an opinion of the piece other than reading the title. Not long ago, I noted that one individual who was let's say a "detractor" of those who were skeptical of global warming had "liked" several 100 pieces of information in a very short proximity of time.


Indeed, I suspected that this individual did not read all that content, and I got my first clue that I was correct about that when I read the third article he'd "liked" that day, although the title had fit his ambitious slandering of the opposing view, the actual data and article was completely counter to his ascertain, meaning he couldn't have liked it at all, and it was the opposite of what all the other articles and his own viewpoints were about. Was he just "liking everything" in his domain of so-called expertise?I checked that out too, the answer is NO, there were several articles in the same publications he "liked" that day, that also ran counter to his opinion in the matter. Therefore, it should be easy to use the "time" between "likes" to help in the grading of the relevant information being "re-tweeted" or attempting through manipulation of those social networks to go viral because of a single or small group of users, or even PR agents in a given domain or topic. Please consider all this and think on it.

Introduction to a MasterMind Group

In his book, Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill describes MasterMind groups as one of the main catalysts to growing rich. Some of you may have already heard of these helpful groups, but for those who haven't, here is what you are missing.A MasterMind group is essentially a meeting between a group of individuals who work in the same field, during this meeting, what these people do is discuss, brainstorm, and solve any existing or potential problems that any member of the group might be facing. So to put is simply, a MasterMind group is a sort of advisory board for every member of the group.This notion of a MasterMind group isn't a new concept, it has existed throughout the ages, King Arthur had one called the "Knights of the Round Table", Franklin Roosevelt had his "Brain Trust", and Benjamin Franklin even had the "Junto". All these groups helped those we know (Arthur, Franklin, and Ben) become successful in their corporate life.These groups aren't exclusive groups for the extremely smart or rich. Anyone with a strong vision or goals can create successful MasterMind groups. You just have to be able to find people working around you that want to succeed to and start meeting with them and setting up solutions to your problems.


What qualifications are useful in a MasterMind group? Above all, you need to be able to participle and insert your own opinion and thoughts on any subject, since the MM group works on a give and take basis, you need to be able to give advice and input before taking some for your own needs. At least one person in the group should be able to organize and direct the meetings so that they are performed in an orderly and beneficial way. Other than that, the only thing that would greatly help the group is if everyone in the group is in the same sector of work.Why should you join such a group? First of all, you won't feel like you are working alone, but you'll be part of a community who are there to help advise you. Second your social network will extend greatly through the new members of your group. This extension can give your business further opportunities. Finally, it will help you learn from others to understand new concepts and, most importantly, to think bigger.So MasterMind groups are simple and can be started by virtually everyone who wants to succeed in their corporate life. All you need to do is to be motivated enough to band together at least 4 people with a similar vision to yours.

How to Earn While You Learn

Live events can be a great way to boost your business... if you work them correctly!I learned this valuable lesson in a mighty way when I attended my first large event in 2006. I was a new business owner and didn't know what to expect. I was also REALLY intimidated by the price tag... $1,500 for a 3-day online marketing workshop. But I stepped up because I needed to learn the skills that were being taught there and I knew investing in myself was the best investment I could make.The 3 days I spent in LA and the $1,500 I charged to my credit card completely transformed my business. I raised my prices by 67%, walked away with 2 new clients, and gained a highly sought after skill set that had us double our revenue and cross the six-figure mark in only our 2nd year of operation.Ever since then, I make it a point to attend 2-3 large events each year and I always, ALWAYS walk away with new clients and a boost in revenue. Want to replicate these results in your business? Here is the formula I follow each and every time.1. Choose your events wisely - You should be looking for a sweet spot of pragmatic training and high quality networking. The training should offer you up to date information and tangible takeaways you can implement immediately. The event should cater to a specific audience of individuals you want to connect with to help you meet your current business goals. (Which means you need to have S.M.A.R.T. goals already well established.) These individuals could be prospective clients or referral partners. They could be industry leaders you want to include in your circle of influence.2. Set an intention for each event - You've booked your registration, bought your plane ticket and reserved a hotel room. Now what? Make a decision about what you want to get out of the event. What exactly do you want to learn? Who do you want to meet? What opportunities do you want to walk away with? Set a specific intention and keep meditating on it in the days leading up to the event.


3. Prepare well - Carefully review the agenda and decide which sessions you want to attend based on your intention. Find out in advance who's going to be there. Many event organizers will share this info, perhaps through an attendee app. At the very least, check out the Facebook page or Twitter hashtag for the event and see who's talking about it. Have a new batch of marketing materials designed or printed that will support the goals you've set for the event.4. Use your time wisely - Each day of the event offers opportunities for networking during breakfast, lunch, dinner and breaks. Don't waste that time checking email! Schedule quick 15-min appointments with people during the event to create a rapport and open the door for a longer conversation. Don't be shy about approaching speakers and other "leaders" who are there. Always be kind, friendly and gracious, and proactive. These folks are there to network like everyone else.5. Plan in advance to follow-up - This is where most people drop the ball. Don't be one of them! If you make a great connection with someone and the two of you know you want to continue the conversation post event, save yourself the hassle of a lot of back and forth. Schedule an appointment right there on the spot! Write any emails you commit to and send them the same evening. Write your thank you cards on the plane ride home and mail them as soon as you land. At the very least, pre-schedule some time to follow up the day after you return home before you dive back into your regular routine. Remember, your fortune is in the follow-up!You can connect with a slew of pre-qualified leads, increase visibility for your business and significantly increase your revenue in just a few days by attending the right events. When done correctly, it's one of the most effective, lucrative and fun marketing strategies you can implement!

The Networking Outlier

Do you dance to the beat of a different drum? Do you follow the least traveled path? Do you have unique connecting characteristics? If so, you may fall into a networking profile which makes you stand out... in a good way!List below are tips for making the most of your eccentric communication styles.Actions Speak LouderYou may also be in that small percentage of networkers who actually, "practices what they preach". In essence, your actions line up with your words and you deliver high quality and excellence. Use this highly coveted virtue to build your brand loyalty and trust with others. Showing good faith increases your credibility and likeability. It also separates you from shallow networkers.On a MissionPerhaps you have a solid, outlined networking plan with a goal for obtaining networking success. You have joined professional groups and linked up with like-minded individuals. It is clear that you are at an advantage and can leverage your positioning for more success. The main keys are to be consistent, make others in your network aware of your goals and keep in line with your core values.


The Final SayYou hold the power and make the decisions. You are in charge of your networking and relationship building and set the tone. This means you can point out and decide who you want to business with and how that interaction(s) should occur for mutual and/or long term benefits. You do not have to compromise your beliefs or ethics.Hopefully, these tips can steer you in the right direction for accomplishing your networking goals. Your strong and unique communication and connecting styles will reward you greatly.

How to Tell If LinkedIn Is Right for You

LinkedIn is undoubtedly one of the best ways for businesses to generate leads and for business people to give and gain more opportunities.However, before you join any social media site, ask yourself a question if it's the right one for you and your business; and for defining whether it's the right one or not, make sure you're aware of the below-mentioned tips.

What's your goal

What are your expectations

Who's your target
If you have clear answers to the above-mentioned questions, let's analyze if the particular site can work for you.How to tell if LinkedIn is right for you?Job Hunters: If you're job hunting, LinkedIn is definitely the best place for you. This is the largest professional network with 225 million+ members. On LinkedIn you can manage your professional identity, build and engage with your professional network as well as access knowledge, insights and opportunities. Join LinkedIn groups, search for jobs, and apply.B2B Marketers: If you want to launch a product or announce some service offerings to other businesses, use LinkedIn. Create and join relevant groups to share the information. Take a challenge and be very active to reach your goals.Entrepreneurs: LinkedIn is the right site for entrepreneurs. By researching other entrepreneurs, they can build awareness of their new company and come up with a number of strategies. For example: "How to improve their sales funnel" Besides, it's always good to know what your competitors do better than you; and the more you know, the better for you.


Consultants: LinkedIn is used by consultants to connect with successful clients, let them know about their services/experience/knowledge. It's undoubtedly a good way for improving the visibility of business and not only.Sales People: Sales people use LinkedIn for research purposes so that they can connect with the right people and generate leads.Small Businesses: Small businesses need to improve their visibility and reach out new opportunities and prospects to survive the competition. Creating a LinkedIn group and actively using LinkedIn is a good way to position their company in the marketplace.Large Businesses: For the large businesses with many customers, it's an opportunity to announce products, job and service offerings and get the desired traffic and leads.As you see, everyone on LinkedIn has a very unique role. Hope the above-mentioned tips were helpful and now you know what exactly you can do on this website.Stay tuned!

Is Tokenless 2 Factor Authentication Necessary for Business?

The rapid advancement of internet technology has witnessed more and more people gaining access to the internet. The World Wide Web is no longer the domain of young people and business establishments. Today, a large number of elderly people are part of social media websites like Facebook, Twitter, etc. They also contribute significantly to online community activities. However, the internet is not just restricted only to adults. In fact studies have shown that almost half of children below the age of twelve are using social media sites like Facebook. What this shows is that the reach of internet has spread far and wide. As the user base expands, so does the online security concerns. One way of minimizing the concerns is through multi factor.Need for 2 Factor AuthenticationIt is very important to the personal information of users safe. Realizing this, most internet and social media websites use powerful passwords. This is done through a combination of a static and login password. Though this is considered as being safe, the rapid changes in technology and the growth of the hacking community has brought in new security challenges for online companies. This is where tokenless authentication comes into the picture. It not only protects the interests of the users but also enhances the online security of your business.


Role in IT SecurityToday, the IT industry is witnessing security threats with increased frequency. This is precisely why Tokenless 2 factor authentication has a very significant role to play when it comes to IT security. Customers, employees, shareholders and others look up to you to protect sensitive data stored in your servers. Even industry regulations like HIPAA, PCI DSS, Sarbanes-Oxley, etc have a need for this kind of online security. There are some authentication systems that have proven to be cumbersome and inconvenient for users. However, tokenless two factor authentication makes it easy and convenient for companies to provide foolproof online security solutions at affordable costs.How does it work?Well, it is comparatively inexpensive and quite easy to incorporate in any internet login session. It is an effective process that is based on two or more factors to authenticate the identity of an individual online. The first factor refers to something that the user knows whereas the second factor refers to what you have while the third factor refers to something that you are. A combination of all these factors can lead to a very cost effective form of tokenless 2 factor authentication.

The Networking Scout

Similar to professional sports, scouts are agents who scope out new talent. They travel near and far to find the best talent for their teams or leagues. Scouts spend a lot of their time researching, prospecting and seeking out the next superstars. In regards to networking, savvy individuals can be "scouts" and look for talent to build their networking circles. They can do their research and create a plan with criteria for expanding their networking circles.Listed below are tips and strategies for finding the best individuals to grow your networks.Star RookieMany times networkers reach out to the top or seasoned professionals to induct into their networks. Although there is an advantage to linking up with professionals who are well established, there are benefits to linking up with networking newbies. People who are new in networking can offer many useful benefits for your growing networks. Besides being a mentor and colleague, you can also reach out to them for new ways of connecting and building relationships. New networkers can still provide quality leads and referrals. It is also another way to diversify your networks.


Game StatsBesides doing your research, another good tip is to find out the accomplishments and achievements of these individuals. The most basic way is to do a Google search to view their online presence and brand. Another way is to link up with them through professional social media sites. You can also visit their company or business website to view their role or online bio. Understanding their contributions to their industry can determine if they are a good fit for your network and better position them in your circle.First DraftOnce you have rounded up a good number of individuals, set up meetings, strategy sessions or one-on-ones to select the best choices. Use these formal or informal meetings to gauge their personality traits, interpersonal skills. Explore overlapping networks of mutual colleagues and friends, organizations, companies or shared business and personal interests. Use these processes to either weed out or add to your existing networks for true success.

Your Mornings Will 'Sizzle' Now - Bring More Sunshine to Your Business

"If people like you they'll listen to you, but if they trust you they'll do business with you." - Zig ZiglarThings can't get much simpler than this! The above statement of Zig Ziglar reminds us that business is for the people, by the people and based on trust. Maybe you are just too preoccupied with your day-to-day hectic business schedule, and in the process got a little disconnected from the local community. Before getting extensive visibility -- nationally/internationally, your business first needs to be more visible within the local community. If you feel that you can pep up those lazy mornings a little, then attending breakfast network gathering events could be a bright idea. These events/meetings are organized by the local Chambers of Commerce.Now, you might be thinking why you would miss out on your morning sleep when you already have a busy day ahead. That's a perfectly logical question. First, you need to have enough reasons to join a Chamber of Commerce, and then comes the next question, what exactly will drive you to attend a breakfast meeting? As you know, it depends on what you need and what you wish to achieve through your business. Nobody makes you do things, only you do it of your own free will, with your passion, and most importantly for the vision you have. Successful business owners connect their businesses to relevant people. You are already a successful entrepreneur since you have already set up your own business. Now, it's time for you to get your 'brainchild' some spotlight so that your local business communities get to know about your outstanding work.So, what kind of benefits will your business reap by participating in breakfast networking events? Let us see some of them:1. Your Business Looks ReliableWhen you are a part of a business community and attend such events, it increases positive perception among the other business owners. Your regular communication with the fellow members transforms familiarity into reliability. A reliable business gets more business.


2. The Local Business Community will See and Find Your BusinessAttending a breakfast event will make you memorable in the eyes of other business owners. More such events will boost your business' visibility that will yield benefits in the coming days.3. Developing Network for Long-term BenefitsYou need not mingle with other members only over the topic of business. Talk to them the same way as when you make new friends. As we know, friendship has its own benefits that keep coming through a long period of time. The more friends you make, the bigger the network you have and the more benefits will come along the way.4. Promotion and PublicityBeing a chamber member, you can make your business reach potential clients through marketing. Members get exclusive opportunities for business-to-business (B2B) advertising and publicity.5. Update about Events and ProgramsLocal Chambers organize various events and programs for their members to expand their network by interacting more, listening to the successful business leaders, participating in discussions and volunteering for social causes. Prior to these events, discussions on planning, organizing and sponsorships are discussed. Thus, you can prepare yourself well in advance for these events.Keep in mind that by being a member of the chamber you can get great benefit out of a breakfast meeting by putting some time and effort into the event. Get involved in the Chamber's activities, and the benefits will follow.