Win Big - Written by JJ Ramberg on Friday, March 1, 2013 16:17 - 16 Comments
Start Small Win Big: Your Week 7 Action Plan
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Step 7: Tap your network. Your network is everything. It’s how you find good employees, figure out which lawyer to hire, and how you get people to take meetings with you. Ask any angel investor or venture capitalist and they’ll tell you that, nine times out of ten (or really 999 out of 1,000), they pay much more attention to the pitches they get via a contact than the ones they get cold.
So this week’s assignment is about building up your network. My friend Ari Wallach once told me that each week he scheduled two or three coffees with people he’s never met before. Usually he connects with them through friends, but when the well runs dry, he’ll just look around on LinkedIn for someone interesting (though even here, his network is important because he looks for friends of friends). To date, he says, these meetings have led to about 25 percent of his new business.
Through this adventure you’re on with SUCCESS magazine, you have a built-in network to tap into—nearly 2,000 other small-business people who are experiencing some of the same issues you are and who can share what they’ve learned with you. Take advantage of it! This week’s homework is to expand your network to include other SSWB contestants. Find each other on LinkedIn, like each other’s pages on Facebook, follow each other on Twitter and Pinterest. And if there’s someone who you feel could really be helpful (or if you think you could be helpful to them), schedule a call or a coffee. You never know what you’re going to get out of it. (While you’re at it, Like me on Facebook and find a free chapter from my book It’s Your Business.)
Just one quick note. When I was first starting my company, there was so much work to do that meeting people for coffee or attending events for which I did not have a specific goal felt like a luxury I couldn’t afford. That is the wrong attitude. Getting out there and talking to people has helped spark some of the most creative ideas we’ve had in my company and has provided important leads that were helpful down the road.
Editor’s note: This is the seventh of eight installments for SUCCESS’s 2nd annual Start Small Win Big entrepreneur challenge. At the conclusion of week 8, contestants will review their weekly homework assignments to write an essay explaining how they have used the contest’s eight steps to achieve their small business goals. More details to follow.
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[...] Start Small Win Big: Your Week 7 Action Plan Step 7: Tap your network. Your network is everything. It’s how you find good employees,… [...]
[...] Start Small Win Big: Your Week 7 Action Plan Step 7: Tap your network. Your network is everything. It’s how you find good employees,… [...]
Contestants,
Can you believe its already Week 9?? How has it been for you all so far? Looking forward to hearing from you.
Best,
Shelby
[Reply]
Flootie Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 6:59 pm
Hi Shelby, the best word I can use to describe this project is "refreshing". As business people it is easy to get bogged down in our micro-worlds of our specific businesses. To be able to interact and hear from experts and other people in business is exciting. I have been a fan of Success for some time and love to listen the the CD's in my truck when travelling. Keep up the good work. Dean Cameron
[Reply]
yordis Reply:
March 11th, 2013 at 6:55 pm
Yes, we are almost at the end of the challenge. I am yet to complete assignment seven because prior to this challenge I did not have a Facebook Page neither was I on Linkedin. I am currently working on getting them up and going. As soon as I complete my social networking pages I will invite my fellow contestants to send me "friend" messages and I will be more than happy to connect with everyone..
[Reply]
Flootie Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 6:59 pm
Hi Shelby, the best word I can use to describe this project is "refreshing". As business people it is easy to get bogged down in our micro-worlds of our specific businesses. To be able to interact and hear from experts and other people in business is exciting. I have been a fan of Success for some time and love to listen the the CD's in my truck when travelling. Keep up the good work. Dean Cameron
[Reply]
yordis Reply:
March 11th, 2013 at 6:55 pm
Yes, we are almost at the end of the challenge. I am yet to complete assignment seven because prior to this challenge I did not have a Facebook Page neither was I on Linkedin. I am currently working on getting them up and going. As soon as I complete my social networking pages I will invite my fellow contestants to send me "friend" messages and I will be more than happy to connect with everyone..
[Reply]
Hello everyone!
NETWORKING is one of my priorities for this year. If you had a chance to watch my Week 1 Video assignment, I specifically talk about getting out of the office and "talk" face-to-face with "experts" and utilize social media. This a great tool for any business, but also connecting with "strategic" people can definetly help increase your network.
In my case, I would like to learn other business owners do's & don'ts. We all depend on each other, and building a network is essential in any business. But most importantly, connecting with the "right" people to project your business to a higher level.
This year, I have joined several networking groups who meet once a week. I learned that all groups have different dynamics. It is important that we identify the right group and create the right connections.
I am a strong believer in "Networking Selectively & Strategically."
Success for All,
Doris H Vela http://www.facebook.com/doris.h.vela
[Reply]
Mary Vinnedge Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 12:53 pm
Great advice, Doris. It is crucial to network IN PERSON in our electronically connected world. It makes a huge difference (and makes the contact much more memorable). Thanks for sharing with us!
[Reply]
DorisVela Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 4:17 pm
Hello Mary!
Thank you for your feedback! I believe that Networking is similar to building a web in which each connection takes you somewhere else (hopefully where you want to go!), for that reason I believe in strategic networking.
Best,
Doris H Vela
[Reply]
DorisVela Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 4:17 pm
Hello Mary!
Thank you for your feedback! I believe that Networking is similar to building a web in which each connection takes you somewhere else (hopefully where you want to go!), for that reason I believe in strategic networking.
Best,
Doris H Vela
[Reply]
Mary Vinnedge Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 12:53 pm
Great advice, Doris. It is crucial to network IN PERSON in our electronically connected world. It makes a huge difference (and makes the contact much more memorable). Thanks for sharing with us!
[Reply]
http://igg.me/at/cronus-syndrome/x/2581058
Please visit my crowdfunding project, a book on self-improvement and motivation that follows very unconventional design lines.
See for yourself!
[Reply]
I run a proejct called Pay It Forward x 1 Million. We go into communities and share the concept of PAY IT FORWARD with anyone and everyone. We have a magazine that is 100% content filled with positive, motivation, inspiration, encouragement and empowerment that changes lives for the better. We go into school and teach students how to make a difference for the better through random acts of kindness and so much more. We hold quarterly events where we raise money for local charities PLUS so much more. We are looking for businesses, business people who share this vision and want to make a positive difference in their community. Would love to connect with all of you and find out how I might help you. http://www.payitforwardx1million.com or facebook.com/payitforwardx1millionproject
Clint Steele
drcs56@yahoo.com
[Reply]
I am a social media enthusiast. You can find me at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Flootie/1119292222… for Flootie.com. Flootie.com is an innovative art marketing system that "harvests" fans of artists from their fan base on other social media sites and collects them into a focused group devoid of all the distractions such as political rants and someones dinner that is typical on other sites. I would love to network with all of you!
I have been involved in Manufacturing and Marketing in numerous industries and I am thrilled to both learn and help where I can.
Dean Cameron
Email: info@flootie.com
LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=11133240&…
Twitter @Americanfineart
(Success admin…for some reason my login does not seem to work so I am signing on as guest)
[Reply]
Shelby Skrhak Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 10:17 pm
Dean,
Send me an email and we'll resend your password. webeditor at success dot com.
Best,
Shelby
[Reply]
Shelby Skrhak Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 10:17 pm
Dean,
Send me an email and we'll resend your password. webeditor at success dot com.
Best,
Shelby
[Reply]
Hey everyone. Feel free to connect with me on Facebook or Linked in (or both) i run a small VC Firm called . D. Scott Ventures and am here participating in the challenge for one of my recent ventures PK Insure.
Send me a message with the connect request so i know you are from the Success Challenge.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dsmborland
Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanborland
[Reply]
Clint Steele Reply:
March 4th, 2013 at 3:21 pm
Just sent you a friend request. Looking forward to learning more about you and how I might be able to help you. Maybe we can connect over the phone or skype soon. Clint
[Reply]
Clint Steele Reply:
March 4th, 2013 at 3:21 pm
Just sent you a friend request. Looking forward to learning more about you and how I might be able to help you. Maybe we can connect over the phone or skype soon. Clint
[Reply]
I completely agree and I follow similar rules. I try to reach out to 3 people that are a "stretch" or outside my common circle per week (about 2 of those pan out eventually). I have joined several organizations here in Phoenix: 85 Broads, TiE, and AZ Tech Council. I volunteer at each to help with events and share my expertise (no pitch no bitch is my motto) and I also connect other people who I think can help each other. I have gained a huge network and many friends. It all starts with getting outside that comfort zone. Do good and you will do well is something that a contact shared with me almost two years ago and I follow that plus the pay it forward concept. And again no pitch, no bitch when you meet people, just be yourself.
[Reply]
Mary Vinnedge Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 12:50 pm
You're doing this just right — JJ as well as SUCCESS columnist Tory Johnson (who mentored contest participants last year). Keep up th good work!
[Reply]
Mary Vinnedge Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 12:50 pm
You're doing this just right — JJ as well as SUCCESS columnist Tory Johnson (who mentored contest participants last year). Keep up th good work!
[Reply]