YOU NEVER KNOW!

As a good networker, you should always be ready because you never know when your dream referral will be presented to you. I recently attended the national conference for BNI directors. During the conference, I was told I had to meet a certain director. I finally did meet Amy, for just a few short minutes. That one chance meeting is leading to a new business opportunity, partnership, and book.

Many people would say I was fortunate, but it was not luck. To get that dream referral, it takes work, net-WORK. Being prepared at all times as a networker is the key. What does being prepared mean?

It means having your business cards with you at all times.

It means having your referral partner cards with you at all times, so you can be the "gatekeeper" for the person you are meeting with, being the person he or she turns to in their time of need.

It means being prepared to help the person you are meeting with whatever there needs are. Remember you get more be giving more.

It means having a well-prepared introduction for yourself that is specific about what you do and what type of referral you are looking for.

Simple networking ideas that are, as Dr. Ivan Misner wrote in his latest blog (http://networking.entrepreneur.com/2008/06/19/networking-is-simple-but-not-easy/), not easy.