The Power Of Pollination

Pollination: the transfer of pollen (stimuli) from one stem to another that is critical for reproduction.

One of the greatest failures of all times for success will be the failure to connect properly to the right people. You are literally only 6 degrees of separation from the greatest doors being open. Six degrees of separation is the theory that anyone on the planet can be connected to any other person on the planet through a chain of acquaintances that has no more than five intermediaries.

If you do not develop adequate networking skills you are destined to stay unfulfilled in the current state you are in!

Here are a few questions to ask yourself concerning your current connections as well as the ones you want to attract:

1) Can you be trusted with new connections based on how you are cultivating your current ones?
2) Have you prepared yourself for the types of people in which you want to meet?
3) How will you infect/affect the people who come around you?

When you think about how you market yourself, are you a grappling hook or a magnet?

A grapnel is a clawed, anchor-like hook used in seizing, holding or dragging. One of its original uses was during sea battles to hold an enemy ship for boarding. The thought of this evokes a feeling of being controlled in order to achieve a hostile objective.

On the other hand, a magnet only works with objects that are naturally drawn to it. It cannot hold on to anything that does not have the proper make-up to be attracted to its magnetic field. It cannot ‘seize and hold’ an object that is not the right match for its purpose.

If you’re being a grappling hook, you feel the need to grab and drag people into your purpose; you’re desperate to hold on to prospects or clients.

If you’re being a magnet, you’re attracting the people who are naturally drawn to you. You’re being authentic and making the choice to connect with people who are the best fit for you. You’re able to let go of those who are not the right match for you.

Networking is something that we all have to do, many hate to do and others just don’t know how to do it! People tend to be intimidated when they walk into a room of strangers with a hand full of business cards; they don’t know who to talk to first, don’t have any idea of what they want out of the experience and most importantly, don’t know what the other person is after. It boils down to knowing your audience and knowing how you can deliver what they REALLY want. Realistically, everybody has a need that they want filled. Here are a few points to remember as you go to your next ‘Networking Event’.

• The real purpose of networking is not to make you best friends with someone. It is to provide an introduction to another level of service and resources. So take it slow and respectful and utilize boundaries. Don’t approach the other person like you grew up together.

• You must be able to communicate your own business: When you’re asked the question, “What do you do?” they are really asking “Why should I care?” People could care less about your mission statement or projections; they only care about what you can do for their business. Since you know this is coming practice your answer before you get there.
• Do not become cannibalistic: The ‘man eater’ has a pocket full of everyone’s cards and stalks them until they refuse their phone calls. Do not enter the event drooling at the mouth. People avoid people who seem too hyped. So relax and enjoy meeting new business people.

• People are usually in business for profit. It’s called (WIIFM) or “What’s in it for me?” When you connect with a person, show them the true value or benefit of connecting with you before asking for a referral. Then you can with bold confidence ask them to refer you to their friends and family. You have to develop credibility FIRST!
• Do not always be the friend in need and never in deed: This is the ultimate turn-off! Instead of calling to ask for things, try calling with an offer, a gift or even to let them know you got a hot tip from an email they may be able to benefit from. Your reputation will grow as a ‘barter’ and then your phone will start to ring.

I’m sure you’ve heard the statement, “It’s not what you know, but who you know”. Why? Because Networking = Cross Pollination! You can do bad all by yourself or you can connect to a dream team and create wealth; the choice is yours.

See ya at the top!

Cherese

© 2012 – 2013, Cherese L. Jackson. All rights reserved.