Are you in a situation where you could use a helping hand from your friends? Colleagues? Acquaintances? Join career expert and award-winning author Andrew LaCivita as he discusses business networking: how to build professional relationships! -------------------- SEE FULL WEBISODE ON MY BLOG -------------------- Check out Business Networking: How to Build Professional Relationships on my Tips for Work and Life Blog with the video, podcast, full transcript, and more!: http://milewalk.com/mwblog/business-networking-build-professional-relationships -------------------- CONNECT WITH ANDREW -------------------- Join Andrew’s email list: http://milewalk.com/mwblog Get Andrew’s books and training: https://www.milewalkacademy.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/andylacivita Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andrewlacivita Twitter: https://twitter.com/arlacivita LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewlacivita Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alacivita iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/tips-for-work-life-andrew/id1120387046 -------------------- SUMMARY -------------------- No matter what your job is, over the length of your career, your network and it's health and strength is going to be your single greatest advantage in succeeding in your career. Sure, a lot of you starting now have some smarts, a good job, and are willing to work hard. All that sets you in the right direction, but over the long-term, over a multi-decade career that simply will not be enough to be truly successful. My 7 Key Success Factors for Business Networking There are two areas I want to review about networking: what makes it successful and how to actually do it! So, let’s review my seven key principles for how to do it successfully and then a five step plan of attack to execute those principles. It’s an all-the-time thing. You need to do it all the time. If you only do it when you need it, you're not going to be successful. If you need to network, it's already too late if you don't already have a healthy one. Be very, very consistent. Give value first. Take second. Give value first to others before you ask for something. It could be anything. But whatever value you provide—your time, energy, education, favors—give it first. Give more than you take. Put more into the networking bank. Keep making deposits before you make withdrawals. Do it live. This is not an email thing. This is human interaction. This is building deeper relationships. This is spending time with people. Do what you say you’re going to do—build trust. Always follow through. Whether you’re providing information, making a referral, etc. You want to be known for having a good “word,” being trustworthy, and being dependable. Move it forward and expand their network. If the interaction between you and me dies with you, you haven't helped me build my network. So, you want to make sure you're thinking how can I help expand this person's network? Who might be good for him or her to know? You want to pay it forward, you want to move it forward, and you want to expand their network. The point is for both of you to grow your networks. Build a systematic plan that allows you to execute. You need to build a plan that makes you consistent, organized, and working toward building a healthy network that meets your goal and the goals of others. My 5-Step Plan to Build a Healthy Professional Network This plan has served me well for multiple decades. It’s also helped me build and keep and extremely healthy network. This process works A. Set your networking goals. The first place to start is to set your goals. Don’t just start dialing up people and emailing them. That isn't going to get you where you need to be. You have to have a goal. And what do I mean by goals? There are many, but let’s talk about four: Educations and advancement of your knowledge Camaraderie Job hunting Grow customers, partnerships, etc. B. Build your relationship map by doing your research. Who do you know w