Checking In Pays Out - The Networking Factor

by Janice Smallwood-McKenzie
 
"The Networking Factor, Everyone is important!" This slogan continues to remind me of another personal credo by one of the country's greatest motivators... Zig Ziglar says, "You can have everything in life you want if you help enough people to get what they want!"
 
As I type this new article, we’re half way into a brand new year. It is said, “If you want a different result, you must do things differently!” Let me ask you, are you getting the results you want when it comes to connecting with people on a personal level especially around the holiday season? If your response is yes, stop reading the article!
 
If by chance, you’re like millions of us perhaps you’ll admit that sometimes you feel that you’re not getting a fair or favorable return on your output! You check in with others periodically, and you make it your business to send a Christmas card each and every year, and you call people bi-annually, and you just can not understand why so many nice people just don’t seem to return the favor and/or acts of kindness.
 
After all, you send a Christmas card, and you call twice a year, and you might even pick up the phone and let people know what’s going on in your life that might be of importance to you during the year!
 
Now is it too much to ask that checking in with others net a minor return perhaps, a card to you during the Christmas season or a return call just to say hello?
 
Is this too much, you continue to ask yourself. No it’s not too much to ask. However, the trouble is "You are not standing out!" The good news... you can stand out when checking in and it pays out! The bad news, it is real difficult to stand out when everyone is putting forth effort to stand out during the same time of year.
 
Yes, you can see where this is going! As a Networking Coach, I am a stickler for returning all calls. I remind people that there are literally 1,440 minutes in a day, and you can always find “One Minute” to return a call!
 
However, during the Christmas season it is almost impossible to acknowledge each and every card, gift and phone call which doesn't stop me from trying to acknowledge each and every one… but it’s very hard to do, and acknowledgements can’t be made if you do not put forth your best effort to accomplish this.
 
Make connecting with others easy on yourself and easy on those you connect with. Truly, “Checking In, Pays Out” but send the thank you notes whenever possible, send the birthday cards, cards of condolence or slip an article of interest in the mail, refer possible clients/business but check in while others are not checking in, and your kindness will not only be noticed… it will be appreciated, and that’s when you’ll see the favorable response of "Checking In Pays Out!
 
It's a universal law, "As you sow... you shall reap!"
 
Remember, real power will always "Empower!"
 
About the author:
Ms. Smallwood-McKenzie is a Networking Coach in Los Angeles and she coaches small businesses and professionals in expanding their political, business, and social bases. She is the Author of "The 101 Commandments of Networking: Common Sense But Not Common Practice."
 
Enjoy Free Preview compliments of http://www.101NetworkingCommandments.com or visit Amazon.com to read Customer Reviews of this guide. This networking guide is available wherever fine books are sold.
 
Janice's e-mail address is ConfirmedCoach@netscape.net