Episode 501: Seven Ways to Better Networking - a podcast by Dr. Ivan Misner

Synopsis

What does the average person think it takes to be a better networker? Dr. Misner recently surveyed 3400 business people about the top behaviors they’d like to see in a great networker. Here are the top 7 results, in reverse order.

Characteristics of a great networker



* Approachable

* Trustworthy

* Follows Up

* Sincere / authentic

* Helps others / collaborative

* Positive attitude

* Good Listener



All of this ties in with the idea that networking is more like farming than like hunting. Networking skills are really important. Working to improve them is even more important.

Brought to you by the Networking for Success Channel on YouTube.

Complete Transcript of Episode 501 –

Priscilla:

Hello everybody and welcome back to the Official BNI Podcast, brought to you by the Networking for Success Channel on YouTube, which features Dr. Ivan Miser and many other networking experts. I am Priscilla Rice, and I am coming to you from Live Oak Recording Studio in Berkeley, California. I am joined on the phone today by the Founder and the Chief Visionary Officer of BNI, Dr. Ivan Misner. Hello, Ivan, how are you and where are you?

Ivan:

Hi Priscilla. You know, for this being the 501st podcast, it’s kind of cool that I am actually in a different country this year. I am in Seoul, South Korea. This is my first visit to South Korea. I am really, really excited to be here and meet all of the many, many members we have throughout the country. So happy 501st podcast from Seoul, South Korea.

Priscilla:

Thank you very much. We are moving towards the 1000th podcast.

Ivan:

A few years to go, but yes, that is what I certainly hope we can achieve. So today’s topic is seven ways to better networking. You know, a lot of people offer advice on what it takes to be good at networking, myself amongst them. I mean, certainly, that is what I do, help people and teach them how to network more effectively.

One thing that I think has been left out of the equation is what does the average person think about what it takes to be a better networker? You know networking involves interacting with others. So what do those others think that it takes to be great at the skill?

I think this is important that we all be cognizant of other people’s expectations and adjust our behavior accordingly if we want to make the kind of impression that will work to build a powerful personal network.

Recently, I took the opportunity to gather almost 3400 survey responses from business people all around the world. I gave them roughly 20 different characteristics on networking. I asked them to pick the top behaviors that they would like to see Ina great networker. From those responses, I identified the top seven characteristics of what people believe makes a great networker. Here are those top seven characteristics, from number seven first. I will go backwards to the number one characteristic.

Priscilla:

Okay.

Ivan:

Number seven from almost 20 different characteristics was being approachable. Being approachable. One respondent said that people will forget what you said and what you did but they will never forget how you made them feel. Effective networking starts with approachability. Everything else that I am about to describe follows from this and from that person’s perspective, everything else that they identify as being important follows from being approachable.

Number six skill based on the survey of 3400 people was being trustworthy. One respondent said it best when she said, “It doesn’t matter how successful the person is. If I don’t trust them, I don’t work with them.” When you refer someone, you are putting your reputation on the line.

Further episodes of The Official BNI Podcast

Further podcasts by Dr. Ivan Misner

Website of Dr. Ivan Misner