How Did You Learn to Network? 04/05/10
In reviewing the results of the Referral Institute study of more than 12,000 businesspeople from all over the world, we have some interesting data on how people become better at networking. Respondents were allowed to select more than one method that they used to develop their skills in this area.
Interestingly, participating in networking groups was by far the No. 1 method that people identified in developing their networking skills.
How have you developed your networking skills and what do you think is the best way to do so?
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Leave a Reply
close comment popup
19 Responses to this article
I’m surprised to see “Working on my own,” surpassing the other categories, and the mentoring item being lowest. Reading about the skills, learning how to implement them at seminars, and having mentors model the best networking behaviors seem much more valuable than trying to figure out how to network effectively individually. I wonder how the results would stack up if a time element was included. I can’t help think achieving a high performance level without help would take much longer than the people being shown and taught how to network.
Mark Storey, Certified Trainer
Referral Institute Columbus
I’ve learned how to network by being around those who are successful networkers and asking tons of questions! I’m also an active participant in my BNI chapter and asba. I’ve taken Referral Success 101 and 202 with Victoria Trafton, she’s just amazing! The knowledge everyone has given me has made my business (2nd time ’round) much more successful than it ever was doing it on my own last time. Thanks everyone – and thank you, Dr. Misner, for your articles and knowledge
Joining my BNI chapter helped me boost & improve my networking skills to the next level.
And of course your articles and books have been a great help Ivan!
Rajan Baliah
DR Heart Automobile
Penang, MALAYSIA
I think when you work alone if you want business you have to go out and get it. If you are in one of the sectors that keeps you at your desk, or you work alone then you have to make an effort to go out and network so you either become very good at it very quickly or you stay in the office. BNI has helped alot not so much from networking but for presentation, it also helped me to stop waffling! and to be more direct and targetted
The bar diagram given by you is very good for improving our networking skills.
Groups are great yet the mentors in them are hidden gems. I learned the vast majority about networking by studying books about people. Finding out what “makes people tick” helps me build relationships quickly and easily.
Joining my BNI chapter helped me boost & improve my networking skills to the next level.
And of course your articles and books have been a great help Ivan!
Rajan Baliah
DR Heart Automobile
Penang, MALAYSIA
I’ve learned how to network by being around those who are successful networkers and asking tons of questions! I’m also an active participant in my BNI chapter and asba. I’ve taken Referral Success 101 and 202 with Victoria Trafton, she’s just amazing! The knowledge everyone has given me has made my business (2nd time ’round) much more successful than it ever was doing it on my own last time. Thanks everyone – and thank you, Dr. Misner, for your articles and knowledge
Joining my BNI chapter helped me boost & improve my networking skills to the next level.
And of course your articles and books have been a great help Ivan!
Rajan Baliah
DR Heart Automobile
Penang, MALAYSIA
I think when you work alone if you want business you have to go out and get it. If you are in one of the sectors that keeps you at your desk, or you work alone then you have to make an effort to go out and network so you either become very good at it very quickly or you stay in the office. BNI has helped alot not so much from networking but for presentation, it also helped me to stop waffling! and to be more direct and targetted
Groups are great yet the mentors in them are hidden gems. I learned the vast majority about networking by studying books about people. Finding out what “makes people tick” helps me build relationships quickly and easily.
Joining my BNI chapter helped me boost & improve my networking skills to the next level.
And of course your articles and books have been a great help Ivan!
Rajan Baliah
DR Heart Automobile
Penang, MALAYSIA
Joining my BNI chapter helped me boost & improve my networking skills to the next level.
And of course your articles and books have been a great help Ivan!
Rajan Baliah
DR Heart Automobile
Penang, MALAYSIA
The bar diagram given by you is very good for improving our networking skills.
Groups are great yet the mentors in them are hidden gems. I learned the vast majority about networking by studying books about people. Finding out what “makes people tick” helps me build relationships quickly and easily.
I’ve learned how to network by being around those who are successful networkers and asking tons of questions! I’m also an active participant in my BNI chapter and asba. I’ve taken Referral Success 101 and 202 with Victoria Trafton, she’s just amazing! The knowledge everyone has given me has made my business (2nd time ’round) much more successful than it ever was doing it on my own last time. Thanks everyone – and thank you, Dr. Misner, for your articles and knowledge
I think when you work alone if you want business you have to go out and get it. If you are in one of the sectors that keeps you at your desk, or you work alone then you have to make an effort to go out and network so you either become very good at it very quickly or you stay in the office. BNI has helped alot not so much from networking but for presentation, it also helped me to stop waffling! and to be more direct and targetted
Joining my BNI chapter helped me boost & improve my networking skills to the next level.
And of course your articles and books have been a great help Ivan!
Rajan Baliah
DR Heart Automobile
Penang, MALAYSIA
Listening to and learning from people who have been involved in and run networking groups helped me to realise it is all about how you can help others and how there skills and services may help you. If you get this bit right the referrals will in time start coming back to you. I think Givers Gain is the BNI phrase and I’m pretty much in agreement with that. Once I had listened and learnt I became more relaxed at groups and just enjoy meeting people. Reading and attending seminars help but once you have understood the basic concept attending groups and learning to keep up and help your connections is the most important bit. Attending the groups builds your confidence and the trust of others. If your there and good at what you do and are genuine you are onto a winner.