Guest Post
Congratulations! You just attended the Houston Jewish Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting. What next?
Networking meetings can be a very valuable tool to foster business relationships… or a time suck. The outcome of this morning’s meeting for your business depends upon you. If you are like me, you left after having a few compelling conversations with others in the group, and you likely left with a handful of business cards.
Take a moment to think of those that you interacted with this morning, as well as those whose elevator pitch piqued your interest. This is the time to reach out to them. If they have a physical address on their business card, take 5 minutes to send them a handwritten note. Tell them why they stood out in your mind and thank them for creating the opportunity for you to meet them. A handwritten note, with a handwritten address on the envelope is far more likely to be opened than a printed address. It has an even greater chance of being acted on than an email. If there is not a physical address, send them an email. Just reach out to them.
Then the fun starts. Take a few minutes Google them and their business. Check out their reviews on Yelp. See if you can find any of their interests. Think about who you know that could be a great connection for them. This can take as little as 5-10 minutes.
Once you have found out a little more about them, it is time to call and set up an appointment with them. Invite them to the Café at the J for a cup of coffee, or a coffee shop that is local to you. Come prepared with some questions for them based on your research (to help start the conversation), but let the conversation flow naturally. To paraphrase what Jack taught us the morning, and to use my great grandmother’s favorite quote “To be interesting, be interested.”
Ideally, this is a great time to reach out to one of your contacts that could use your new friend’s services. Invite them to meet with you at the same location an hour after your scheduled meeting starts. This is a great way to make a warm, personal introduction to both parties, and to use your credibility to kick-start the relationship.
You have now just helped the person you met this morning AND your other connection. Both parties will think even more highly of you as you have taken the initiative to assist them.
Investing this small amount of effort will pay big dividends for you. You are putting others before yourself, but in doing so; you have also demonstrated your integrity, reliability, and your care for others.
Finally, prepare for next month’s HJCOC meeting. Personally invite one of your business connections, a supplier, a customer or (and) a friend to next month’s meeting on February 25th at the JCC. Make certain that you confirm it with them the week before and remind them a day or two before the meeting. Pick someone that will be a great connection for another one of the other people that you met today. This way we can grow the Chamber and you can be known for providing great value to others.
PS. For some more really great networking tips, check out one of my favorite networking books: The 7 Levels of Communication by Michael Maher. I recommend getting the paper version because you will be writing notes all over it.
Rich Bonn
(281) 656-8642
richbonn@leader1.com