16 Proven Places to Network (part two)

Author of Cracking the Networking CODE

http://deanlindsay.wpengine.com/foreword-cracking-networking-code/

Link to 16 Proven Places to Network (part One)

9. Golf/ Sports

Golf has long been the sport for business networking. So if you’re a somewhat decent swinger, tee up. Jerry Lindsay (successful business owner, avid golfer, and a great dad) offers these words of caution: “The way a person relates to golf mirrors the way they relate to business. So putt everything out, play the ball where it lies, let faster players play through, do not throw clubs, and most of all, do not cheat.” Other sports work fine for networking, too. The key is to find a sport you are interested in, and get involved.

10. Spiritual Organizations

I am NOT suggesting that you join a church or synagogue only for the business opportunities. But let’s face it – many solid business relationships are forged in the pews and folding chairs of spiritual organizations. Go for the right reasons and let your light shine. Hide it under a bushel? No. You’ve got to let it shine.

11. Workshops, Classes, and Seminars

Take every chance to learn more and make yourself better. Other people committed to jogging the road to success will be there too. Contribute ideas. Ask questions. Look for a list of upcoming workshops in your local business journal’s calendar of events. Expect a higher grade of professionals at the workshops and seminars that are sponsored by area business journals.

12. College Associations

Having common backgrounds makes for easy conversations and many really get a kick out of helping an alum of their university.

13. Leads Groups

The great thing about leads groups is that they are focused on lead generation for their members. Expect events held by leads groups to be more intense than the rest of the networking options on this list.

Make sure you check out the membership roster before you join. If there are some members who are in your line of work, you will probably want to join another leads group. They may not even let you join if there is already someone in your category. Also, find out what the member obligations are, and ask some of the members how much business they have generated from being a member.

14. Kiwanis, Rotary, AMBUCS, Lions, Elks, Moose

(I know there is an animal joke in there somewhere.) Do good for the community while you build relationships. Rock-solid plan. Here it really pays to be a leader and not just a member.

15. Cultural Events

Meet some people with style and taste. Theater, symphony, art exhibits, rodeos, tractor pulls…

16. Volunteer

A great way to gain visibility and develop relationships is through volunteering with any of the above-listed groups. Almost all these groups could use a hand. Step out and step up. Look for volunteer jobs that will provide you opportunities to show off your skills and personality, and meet and interact with new contacts. You increase your impact as well as the potential for new contacts when you actively participate.

Volunteer to:

– Serve on committees. You can help shape the association’s policy, as well as work closely with and learn from other experts.
– Chair a committee or run for office. Let people experience your leadership, communication, and organizational skills in action.
– Work the reception desk. You will meet people as they sign in.
– Help direct people to the right rooms at a large convention (often called being a people mover).
– Be a greeter. The greeter spot is ideal for the self-diagnosed shy, because the title alone forces you to connect. Plus, as a greeter there is an automatic assumption that you are “in the know” and others will naturally come to you for info and help.
– Join the board. You will connect with key industry leaders and gain a reputation as a leader yourself.

Be Progress!!!

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With over sixteen years experience in the sales and marketing field, Dean Lindsay is hailed as a ‘Outstanding Thought Leader on Building Priceless Business Relationships’ by Sales and Marketing Association International as well as a ‘Sales-and-Networking Guru’ by the Dallas Business Journal.

His books, THE PROGRESS CHALLENGE and CRACKING THE NETWORKING CODE have sold well over 100,000 copies worldwide and have been translated into Chinese, Polish, Hindi, Korean, Spanish and Greek (without his permission). His thoughts on business development through PROGRESS based sales and marketing have been endorsed by a who’s who of international business thought leaders including Ken Blanchard (author of THE ONE MINUTE MANAGER, Gary Keller (co founder of Keller Williams), Sales Training legend Bryan Tracy and the author/father of Guerilla Marketing, Jay Conrad Levinson. In fact, Mr. Levinson thought so much of Dean’s thoughts on Dean’s CODE book, that he wrote the foreword to the book.

Dean has been a featured contributor to Training Magazine Europe, Executive Travel, Sales and Service Excellence, LabX Media, and the American Management Association’s Moving Ahead magazine as well as audio magazine Selling Power Live hosted by Jeffrey Gitomer.

Dean Lindsay is a cum laude graduate of the University of North Texas and has served as Guest Lecturer to UCLA and University of Dallas MBA programs as well as the International Call Management Institute. He has had the privilege of sharing his sales and marketing insights from the big stage in several countries including: Spain, Turkey, Poland, Ecuador, Mexico, Canada, Switzerland, Venezuela, Sweden and the islands of Aruba and Jamaica.

Some of his clients over the last sixteen years include: American Airlines, Marriott, Heinz, Hilton, American Express, Western Union, Verizon, Amway, Nestle, Gold’s Gym, ConocoPhillips, Hagger Clothing and the list goes on.

Dean is also an award-winning songwriter, as well as a founding member of the Texas Shakespeare Festival, and an alumni of Up With People, the 50 year old legendry education organization whose stated mission is to bridge cultural barriers and create global understanding through service and a musical show. His cast was the first to perform in the Soviet Union. And he played one of the ‘bad guys’ in the Warner Brothers’ blockbuster TWISTER. Dean urges you to not look to hard for him in the film however sharing that ‘the flying cow ended up with a big part than I did.”

Dean@DeanLindsay.com – 214-457-5656

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