Joining the right group can make or break your networking success. Once you take the “Networking Assessment,” ask yourself the million-dollar question…Would you refer your #1 Client or your Mother to members of the group? If the answer is no, walk away, no… RUN!
Susan Bierly is the owner of MasterMind Professional Development, LLC. She is an expert in personal and corporate Networking, Professional Development, and Sales Training. Susan has successfully grown her businesses over the last 28 years through networking; referrals and repeat business. She has never engaged in paid advertising. Feel free to reach out to Susan at [email protected] if she can be of help to you or your organization. Susan exemplifies this quote from Benjamin Franklin … “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”
Things to consider:
- The type of companies involved
- The percentage of B2B verses B2C members
- Would you have a sphere if you joined?
- How many people were sitting down before the meeting started? (should be zero)
- Are the infomercials professional, informative and timed?
- Do the members ask for something specific during his or her infomercial?
- The number of referrals being passed
- When passing referrals, was there apparent success or “fluff”? People have a tendency to “ramble” and say how great everyone is when they have no referrals to pass
- How many members are in the group?
- How many members were absent the day you visited?
- Atmosphere – is it welcoming? Do they approach you and introduce themselves?
- Do they ask what you do and have a genuine interest in your answer?
- Was the meeting controlled and professional? Was there disruptive side bar chatter?
- Does the meeting start and end on time?
- Are members there early to network?
- Are there guests?
- Did they have a handout for guests on the sign in table?
- Does the group have a mentoring or educational component?
- Did you walk away with the feeling of “I like these people and I felt comfortable?
- Did the facilitator and the members contact you by email, phone or mail after the meeting?
By Susan Bierly (Launch Workplaces Vendor)
