Notes: Ramblings on The Stop-Wasting-Handshakes Manifesto - Motive/Purpose

What's behind a purpose?

Purpose is lived out in behavior. Behavior is driven by one's agenda. Agenda is the result of motive.

Motive is Purpose.

When you go to a convention, a chamber meeting, a "networking" event, a business meeting, a "one-to-one," ANYwhere you meeting someone.....

Know the motive behind going there. Know YOUR purpose.

Notes: Ramblings on The Stop-Wasting-Handshakes Manifesto - Lauren

Phone rings

Me - It's a great day, Danny Smith.

Caller - Danny, my name is Lauren. I'm a financial planner and Chris suggested I give you a call and set an appointment to come by and see you.

Me - Lauren, I'm backed up on some things for the next two weeks. Can you call me then and we'll set a time?

Lauren - thanks Danny, I'll do that.

Two weeks to the day later 

Phone rings

Me - It's a great day, Danny Smith

Caller - Hi Danny, this is Lauren. I called two weeks ago to get an appointment and you suggested I call back today.

Me - Hi Lauren. I remember, when's a good time for you.

This is a normal routine I use. I am usually backed up a bit, but normally, the caller doesn't call back.

Lauren did come in, she was extremely personable, professional and knowledgeable. We had a great conversation and I mentioned I might have a couple of people I'd introduce her to at a later date.

She thanked me for my time left me with a few of her business cards and parted.....

And nothing.

Normally, I'd send an email 2 or 3 days later thanking her for coming by, but I didn't in this case. Now, over 5 weeks later........nothing.

Lauren wasted our time. She wasted the handshake.

Surely the calls, the effort.........I guess she was only interested in making a sale.

Obviously a very short-term thinker and doer.

Notes: Ramblings on The Stop-Wasting-Handshakes Manifesto - purpose for meeting others

I'm sure most people don't put a lot of thought into their purpose for meeting others. And that's OK......I suppose it's OK to just go meet people with no thought of a purpose.

But not for the person that's dependent upon earning a living through establishing relationships. Whether I'm business-to-consumer or business-to-business, business is built on getting people to 

know, like and trust you

Relationships, good relationships, is established when two people trust each other.

That doesn't mean I'm going build a relationship with everyone...it would be naive to think so. There's a 

WIN / WIN

I take it back....it's not OK to not have a purpose. Not if you're intending to be profitable.

Notes: Ramblings on The Stop-Wasting-Handshakes Manifesto - Networking Defined

Networking "can be" defined as any time you come face-to-face with another person.

Your choice as to whether you CHOOSE to interact with them....thus, the "can be." It's your choice. 

Just because you choose to go out and see people doesn't mean your actually networking...this includes a "networking event." 

You have to CHOOSE to network.

Period-the-end.



Comment: this post is part of an ongoing brain dump that will hopefully be compiled in the near future

Notes: Ramblings on The Stop-Wasting-Handshakes Manifesto

What I mean by "stop wasting handshakes" is really simple -

I don't particularly enjoy going out and meeting people........or at least that's what I used to think. Now, these days, it isn't as much of a pain......for some reason.

That reason, I've decided, is because I've come up with a process to follow-THROUGH with people.

How many business cards are laying in your trash can....errr...your desk draw...or on your desk? They're calling out to you. Aren't they?

They're saying.........I know you can hear them...

"why did you take me if you aren't going to do anything?"

Stop IT! Just stop wasting those introductions. Just stop wasting the time, effort and money it took to go to a luncheon or networking event.

That's what I was saying to myself and literally STOPPED GOING.

But then another guilt set in..............I needed to meet people. But I'd meet them...then what? What next? Connect on LinkedIn?....Call them?....and say what?....When? Immediately?...that seems like stalking.....I don't particularly like it that right after I meet someone they ask to connect with me on LinkedI, like my Facebook page or send me an email..........what are they doing - setting in their car? That's efficient but it sure seems invasive........I wonder if that's the way they date(d)?

So maybe I do enjoy meeting people just because I have a process to re-connect with them. 

To that end......make it a great day



Comment: this post is part of an ongoing brain dump that will hopefully be compiled in the near future