|
Home / Business / Networking
On Networking Groups ( Part Four )
By:Jeffery Glaze
What is a leads group? Leads groups seem to be the most popular form of networking judging that comment by the fact that there are more leads groups in existence that have been around for a long time than most other types of groups.
Leads groups are often referred to as closed groups. This means that there can only be one type of a business represented in a group. Lets say that I am a web designer. In a closed group I would be the only web designer represented in the group. Other web designers would be allowed to visit, but if they wanted to join the organization they would have to find a group that did not have a web designer. If there was no opening in an existing group for a web designer, the person would have to go on a waiting list until an opening became available, or a new group was formed.
Most leads groups meet once a week. There are some that only meet once a month. Leads groups offer something that a lot of people need. Structure and discipline. What do I mean by this?
Structure - In a leads group you do not have to be a master net worker. As a matter of fact, you can be a shy person and still have success in a leads group. Most leads groups allow a given amount of time to tell other members about your business. This usually ranges from one to five minutes. In this allotted amount of time you can go into great detail about your business including describing what type of leads you are looking for. The format is usually accomplished by sitting around a large table, and a leader moderates the time and asks questions. The meetings are generally held early in the morning or at lunchtime.
Discipline - In a leads group you are expected to show up for the meetings. Theoretically, if a leads group had only 15 members and several people did not show up, it would be difficult to have a reasonable meeting. To insure against this happening most groups require that you assign a substitute when you can not attend. This substitute should be a person in the same industry as you so that the balance of the group is not affected. In this situation, if you have a tendency to miss a lot of meetings, it would not be good to join a leads group. If you miss a lot of meetings without a sub, you will be ejected from the group.
The upside? In a leads group you will get to know people very well over time and get an idea of their abilities to fulfill the needs of a referral. This is good if you do not have time during the week to meet with people one-on-one in order to get to know them. A dedicated group will provide you with a steady stream of leads that you can utilize to expand your business.
The downside? Well, sometimes the leads become a paramount obligation and people feel pressured to pass them. If they are passing leads that are just names and numbers without a true expressed need, the leads generally lead you nowhere. Another issue is a member of the group whose quality of product or service does not meet the standards that you would want to refer to someone. It is difficult to pass a solid qualified lead to someone who will not provide the kind of service that you would expect them to.
There are also a few groups in existence that are in essence leads groups. They allow freedom to go to any meeting you wish as long as you are a member. The format is the same, seated at a table, and there is usually a time limit. The problem with these groups is that people wander in and out and without a lot of time to talk individually, you still have to set appointments outside of the group to really get to know someone. Without the discipline, the freeform leads group usually does not last for a long period of time. Often these groups open and close with great regularity leaving the members to search for another meeting to attend.
In closing, I would like to add that there is no wrong or right group to belong to. Visit groups and you will find the ones that are right for you. It is often beneficial to belong to three types of groups to get the most out of your networking efforts.
Digg
del.icio.us
Blink
Stumble
Spurl
Reddit
Netscape
Furl
Article keywords: business, networking, meetings, sales, marketing, promotion
Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com
Jeff Glaze is the Editor of www.AtlantaEvent.com, founder of www.privacy-first.com e-mail certification program and the author of several e-books. His company, Mostcool Media Inc. ( mostcoolmedia.com ), specializes in marketing planning, coaching, business networking training, web and media development. His e-book "The Six Xtremes Of Power Business Networking" is available here: www.atlantaevent.com/ebook.htm Jeff Glaze is available to speak to your group and can be contacted at 678.508.5975 Copyright © 2006 by MostCool Media Inc.
|
|
| Top Networking Articles |
- 1). Networking Your Way to Online Business Success By : Hans Hasselfors
Forums, groups, boards, and loops; they’re all synonymous for online locations facilitating online networking. Some are entirely public, where everyone and anyone can click to the URL, read the messages and if they have no interest in contributing, they can just lurk. Some require active participation and others require registration before members can participate.
|
- 2). So you want to be a millionaire? By : Duffy Rogan
Who doesn't...
I come across so many people that say "I'm going to make a million dollars in network marketing". I have conversations with people telling me how they're going to become millionaires.
That's great I'll help you reach that goal every way I can.
But you know what?
Not everyone is going to make a million dollars in network marketing.
|
- 3). Job Hunting: Networking With Others is the Keys to Success By : Christine Bettridge
You can never underestimate the power of networking. Often success is directly proportional to the size of the social circle.
Whether you are looking for an entry level job or wanting to climb the career ladder you will need some kind of networking savvy in order to survive in the business world.
If you are looking for an entry level job your networking skills might be more important than the quality of your CV.
|
- 4). Beware - Borders and Boundaries By : Jeffery Glaze
Have you ever had someone get right up in your face when they are talking to you? So close in fact that a letter "S' results in an unwanted shower? Often when we are out networking, we find ourselves in a loud environment as people try to talk louder to be heard over people trying to talk louder to be heard. This results in a roar that makes regular conversation difficult.
|
- 5). 8 Tips to Help You Become a Networking Guru! By : SME Grow
Effective business networking is the bringing together of like minded individuals who, through relationship building, become walking, talking advertisements for one another.
Keep in mind that networking is about being bona fide, building trust, and seeing how your relationship can genuinely help others.
1. Always figure out before you even walk into a room, what your specific goals are in attending each networking meeting.
|
- 6). Finding Networking Opportunities Is Easy By : Leni Chauvin
Copyright 2006 Leni Chauvin
Business networking is all about forming strong relationships built on mutual respect and trust. Those relationships are the basis for the single most important tool that we all need if we want to survive in the competitive 21st century.
I'm talking about referrals.
And today's savvy business professionals know that--just as night follows day--networking leads to referral business.
|
- 7). How to Write a Letter of Reference By : Kathy Swann
Have you ever been asked to write a letter of reference for a co-worker, employee or former employee? Generally, a letter of reference is used to help obtain employment, apply for higher education, or as a character reference for those seeking a government position. This is an important request, as a well-written letter can be the reason the candidate receives the offer he or she is hoping for.
|
- 8). The Art of Giving Business Cards By : Natalie Aranda
Giving business cards is an art, not only because they are needed to be considered successful or because, in fact, they represent your corporate or professional identity, but also as an opportunity to impact your existing or prospective customers, and stay in touch with them, helping you to deal confidently.
The scope of business etiquette includes.
|
- 9). Professional Networking Tips For IT Consultants: Part II By : Joshua Feinberg
Professional networking works. Last time we discussed five tips to improve your professional networking effectiveness. In this article you'll learn five more tips to make you a professional networking guru.
Don't let one person monopolize your time.
Try to spend about 3 to 5 minutes with each person. This is generally more than enough time to figure out if the person is a good fit with your company and if you have enough information for future discussions with them.
|
- 10). MLM Training: How to Help Your MLM Downline Get Over the Fear of Calling Prospects By : Tim Sales
Call reluctance is a term used in sales and network marketing to mean that the salesperson or the network marketer hesitates or procrastinates making calls to prospects. So to help a person get past this we need to figure out what caused this "reluctance."
As I commonly do, I'll define the main word - which is reluctance. It means: unwillingness; offering resistance; opposing.
|
| New Networking Articles |
- 1). Social Networking for Business By : Sharon Housley
Copyright 2006 Sharon Housley
Associations and trade organizations are great places to meet individuals. Usually organizations have a common theme, and it is an understood implication that all members participate to improve themselves and their businesses.
Whether it is a chamber of commerce or a trade association, members have common problems, issues and concerns.
|
- 2). How To Build a Duplicating Downline By : Cedric Aubry
Regardless the controversy that the term Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) or Network Marketing brings to mind when mentioned in a conversation, the success of such an industry cannot be denied at the moment.
The long existence of multitudes of MLM organizations is a wonderful indicator that network marketing is here to stay and flourish. As such, additional people are trying to join the bandwagon, building their own MLM .
|
- 3). Plant a Seed and Watch Your Business Grow By : Cynthia Morse, CAP
Do you have all the business you could possibly want or need? If you're like me, you're still growing your business. Marketing is an ongoing item on my agenda, and I'm always looking for new ways to market my services. Where do you begin the process of attracting more business? How do you get the ball rolling in the direction you want your business to be heading? Well, it's really simple.
|
- 4). Top Networking Marketing Opportunities – Is There Such A Thing? By : Vita V.
Top networking marketing opportunities, also known as multi-level marketing opportunities, run rampant on today’s Internet. You’ve no doubt received some kind of solicitous e-mail or seen some kind of advertisement in the margins of a web site you’ve visited that talks about amazingly easy ways to earn thousands of dollars with a simple home based business.
|
- 5). Hottest Business & Social Networking Site for South Asians By : Robert Palmer
DesiMySpace.com is an excellent portal for South Asians who are on the lookout for new friends and to increase the network. It is easy to find people who have the same tastes and likes as that of you. Some of the search features in this site enables you to locate people who are like you, as quickly as possible. To make use of all the features you have to become a member and becoming a member is free!
While you create your account you have to add your profile to your account.
|
- 6). Finding Targeted MLM Leads By : Jimmy Sturo
The objective of multi-level marketing (MLM) is to sell the product or service and to encourage the client to become an independent distributor, who then sells the service or product as well. Leads are vital for any business to grow, and in order for the business owner to have the greatest success, the leads must be curious enough in the business opportunity to have expressed an interest.
|
- 7). Taking The Vampire Out Of Online MLM Business Networking By : Stacy Slayer
You just got started with a new online MLM business and you want to tell everyone online about it. So, you sign up for all kinds of message boards, email groups and other business networking websites.
Before you do anything, please realize that you are dealing with REAL PEOPLE. The Internet seems like this anonymous place where you might feel people won’t really notice you if you engage in any vampirish behavior, but realize that the Internet is no different than dealing with people offline.
|
- 8). Network Marketing the Simple Way By : Cedric Aubry
But it network marketing could be tricky. A lot of persons are aware that they could be scammed or could be webbed into something they could not get out of. But of course, this all depends on the legitimacy of your network marketing business. Provided that your business is 100% permitted, then here are various tips to do network marketing in a very simple way.
|
- 9). 7 Traffic Techniques for Network Marketers By : Amber Barth
Network marketing is a numbers game. The more people you introduce to your opportunity, the more money you’ll make. To start generating a steady stream of traffic to your site, try these 7 creative techniques:
1. Write and Distribute Articles, Reports and Ebooks. Internet users are all interested in one thing – information. Use this to promote your business by creating high quality content and allowing others to reprint it for you.
|
- 10). 8 Tips to Help You Become a Networking Guru! By : SME Grow
Effective business networking is the bringing together of like minded individuals who, through relationship building, become walking, talking advertisements for one another.
Keep in mind that networking is about being bona fide, building trust, and seeing how your relationship can genuinely help others.
1. Always figure out before you even walk into a room, what your specific goals are in attending each networking meeting.
|
|
|
