Network tips in MP3 format

A quick blog post this week to announce that the CD “Let’s Connect at an event, 30 immediately applicable networking tips to make every event a success” now also can be downloaded in MP3 format at a reduced price.

If you want to know what is exactly on the CD or want to buy the CD rightaway, visit one of these websites:

English version: Let’s Connect Online, 30 immediately applicable networking tips to make every event a success
Dutch version: Let’s Connect Online, 30 direct toepasbare netwerk tips om van elk evenement een succes te maken

If you’re not sure yet, you can listen to 8 of the 30 tips for free at the website of Networking Coach:
English: page of the network book and network CD
Dutch: pagina van het netwerk boek en netwerk CD

Have a great networking day !

Jan

Who is in your network? People who pull you down? Or people who lift you up?

In my networking book “Let’s Connect!” I quote Tony Robbins. This is the fragment:

“Personal development guru Anthony Robbins says on his “Unleash the Power Within” CD: “most people’s lives are a direct reflection of the expectations of their peer group”. Read this sentence again. Think about it and make sure you understand what it means.

Robbins also explains the consequences. If you have a peer group with low “standards” or low expectations, they will continuously try to “pull you down”. Not because they don’t love you, but because they DO love you.

When I look back at my life, several friends and relatives of mine told me: “Don’t work so much. Give yourself a break.” I understand what they tried to tell me, because a few years ago for me “working” had a negative connotation (like for most people unfortunately). Working was something I had to do for a living.

But for a long while now “working” is something completely different for me. It means fun, an opportunity for personal development and meeting people where and when I want. In other words I integrated working with the other aspects of my life.

What Robbins suggests is that you make sure that in every area of your life, personal and professional, there is a core group of people with higher standards and expectations than your own. They will lift you up, inspire you, stimulate you, challenge you and ensure you will reach your goals.

Does this sound strange to you? Think about this: if you are a tennis player and you want to improve, who do you play with: opponents that are weaker or stronger than you? From whom do you learn the most?”

How about you? Which kind of people do you have around you? People who pull you down or people who lift you up? It’s never too late to expand your network with the last category.

Have a great networking day !

Jan

PS: get your free light version of the network book “Let’s Connect”

Which organisations and clubs to choose?

A question we get a lot in our networking or referral training courses or after a presentation is: “Which network or professional organisations do you recommend to become member of?”
Unfortunately I have to tell them that I can’t answer that question. Why? Because it’s different for every person.

However I can help people when they can answer me these questions:
– Which are the goals of the organisation you work for?
– What is your role in achieving those goals?
– Who do you think are the people in the best position to help you reach those goals?
– Where do you think you can find these people?

These are questions you can ask yourself as well. When you have an answer it becomes more clear which organisations are the right ones for you. And also which organisations are no longer of interest to you.

Since I know these questions need some time I give most of the time a general answer that already helps people. These are types of organisations that might help you in your professional career:

– Trade organisations of your industry (and when you’re in sales: of the industry of your customers)
– Professional organisations which bring together with the same function, like marketeers or human resource managers
– Local professional organisations like Chambers of Commerce or Unizo (in Belgium)
– Network clubs
– Clubs on Online Business Networks like LinkedIn, Ecademy, Xing or Ryze.
– Alumni organisations from the university you went to or from a company you worked for
– If you are in sales: a local chapter of a referral club like BNI, BRE, Flevum, Netpluswork,…

Whatever choice you make, always think about how it fits into your professional and personal goals. This might already avoid lots of frustration.

Have a great networking day !

Jan

International Networking Tip

If you travel often or just once in a while, you probably have the same questions as me when you go to a restaurant: is a tip expected? And if so, how much should I give?

You don’t want to be rude by giving not enough, but also don’t want to spend too much money or don’t want to be perceived as someone who brags.

This link: http://www.raileurope.com/international_tipping_guide.htm is a help to all of you who recognize this situation. On this page you will find the customs with regard to restaurant and taxi tips in Europe.

Have a great (international) networking day!

Jan