First, start with your goals. If you look at successful people, they are all written goals. This goal is the goal of smart (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely) and those for creating them, and review every day. They assess their effectiveness for four months to see how they do. As director of BNI, I always emphasize setting goals in the first months of this year. There’s an old saying that goes something like this, “if you do not know where you go, you never know how to get there.” To find out whether you are successful in an attempt to make you a ruler. The goal is a measuring stick. Make sure your goals are visible and with you at all times. A good idea is a dream book or board goals that you live for most of the time. You should review your goals every day. If you do not, they are not active goals.
The second thing you need is a strategic partner. The first question for this profession, “Who is your current referral and business partners.” As a member of BNI and director, I learned the value of the contact area. This is another company that sell or service the same customers as you, but do not directly compete with your business. Make people your referral partners (ie, gain their trust and build mutually beneficial business relationship with them) is a powerful way to multiply your efforts without your W2 multiplying numbers by the end of the year. If you are a BNI chapter list in the atmosphere of your contact list. Also, make a list of all categories are missing from parts of your network. (Hint if you are a member of BNI MSP your work-book is a list in it). Once you know who you are on your list, it’s time to start earning their trust, so landing. You need to start recruiting people to fill the gaps in the open category that can help. The minimum number of strategic partners is about five or six. The ideal number is a dozen or more. If you have a dozen strategic referral partners you will be able to provide many references and as much in return. Get a dozen to get money.
Third, you need accountability. Get a coach, join a peer group or at least find a friend who is not afraid to tell the truth and not afraid to ruin your relationship with them. No matter what, you need someone to hold your feet to the fire regarding the implementation of certain behaviors that are needed and work to achieve your goals. A long time ago, I realized how lonely it can be at the top of your organization. It is often difficult to trust your employees or if you are a CEO of a company. Some aspects of your business can not be easily shared. This is why an impartial neutral third party professional is the best way to go. Most small businesses find that it is too expensive to hire a coach or trainer at really not much to do for the money they cost. Well, the reality is that you should shop for a good coach. Ask if they can show you how to improve your business through their coaching, in which more than pay their expenses. If you still think it’s too expensive then you need to see what the cheaper alternatives out there. If you are a member of BNI, you are blessed. This organization offers a free and almost free training is top-notch. Do you have a mentor, Ambassador and members of the Director of the coach, the individual. BNI also offers a plethora of teaching materials and support for its members. Dr. Ivan Scrooge, the Founder of BNI and even offers a website that answers questions your teleseminar business network, “free”. This trend is catching on in other network groups. I see our local chamber and two other groups began to perform his own “Ask the Expert” forums and training sessions. You’ll find lots of free help on the internet if you must. In my opinion this is not as good as free help pay for a professional trainer or join a peer group, but this is the beginning and is part of your plan can not be ignored.
Fourth, look at what resources you have available. What I mean by way of educational materials such as books, tapes, CDs, MP3s, videos, DVDs, etc. that can help you stay on track. You can even find some items in public libraries. If you want the best in every thing you need to immerse yourself in the subject. The longer you stay more focused you become immersed. The more focused you become, the more things “just seem to go way.” It is important to note that this dip and the focus should be positive in nature. If you focus on negative things, things that happen as well. TV, radio, and new sources of routine is usually a source of negative interference. Flame bait you with the knowledge that positive and maintain your focus by soaking your mind on what, when, where, how and why your industry and you will achieve your goals. Often times you make your educational material immersed in the track and after a while, the normal way of life. Do it every day to fight the negative you can come into contact with.
Fifth, you use the calendar to plan your layout. Take the time to break into your calendar what I call a campaign. What I mean is that part of your goal to have a specific focus. If you go to a weekly networking event, try a focused and consistent message on for 4 to 6 weeks at a time. This focus should be in line with your goals! Your campaign can be based on holidays, annual events, political events, seasonal events, a periodic event or events determined by your business or a combination of these. I have his own consulting firm and often learn to take advantage of current events is their industry. For example if you are experiencing health and wellness industry to take a piggy back your messages at events such as Cancer Awareness Month, etc. .. Cardiovascular month During the months I focused message is how my product or service can help people with this problem. One last thing about making your agenda, try to plan the previous year, if possible. This includes things you should attend a family event. Enter the holidays, family events, and logistical problems which regularly as taking children to school, dentist and doctor’s offices. Also, add annual events such as lunches, conventions, and holiday parties. Everything you put a regular schedule on your calendar. If you are a member of BNI, you block the time slot for meetings and gatherings 1-2-1 (dance card). Do not forget to lock the time to call on customers (active marketing), or whether the tasks of management and accounting and other routine tasks necessary for your business. Remember to block your time for yourself and your family and worship. Even with all programmed you still have open space that allows enough flexibility to add and remove it when changes occur. You do not need to plan bumpy. Make it a priority scale as Steven Covey teaches. If there is a conflict to part with the highest priority.
And lastly just as import as the first five are completing the details and make it happen. Once you make your goal, choose your specific direction and decide a theme for each month (or period), you should sit down every week and into the behavior of individuals that you should do. You have 60 seconds targeted infomercial, prospect lists, appointment lists, etc. .. Have one for each week in your plan. For me this means the message I convey that week, I attended the meeting and that I intend to call. As I said before, the theme of my last 4 to 6 weeks, so for now I focus on the same general topic. But usually I change my message up enough to get me interested in a strategic partner referrals and listings. The message I can give my 60-second presentation, elevator speeches, presentations 10 minute or 45 minute seminar. The most important thing is that I stick to the theme, my message remains the same topic is also a different story every week. Some very important last point. Everything I said still need someone you trust, you take the time to be strong and give your relationship with strategic partners to obtain. I hear Dr. Misner has said that networking is like farming, you need a lot of work up front to reap the harvest. The six items are not necessarily ‘it all to end all “marketing plan, but it is a good start. Although not an exhaustive list but provides a framework for working, especially if you’ve decided to make their own plans to build strategic. My experience shows that if you do the steps above six measures and responsible, you will refer more to earn more money and you will see your business grow.