Here's another great post with valuable advice from Jennifer.
You didn't think I'd forget about your Sphere of Influence (SOI) in my Pipeline 2010 series didja'? Of course not...
If you've followed my blog at all, you might have noticed that I'm a big fan of an SOI business model, as long as it doesn't include any begging, bribing or pestering those Very Important People Who Know You. At last count, I've written over 200 blogs & articles on the subject and there are three whole chapters in my upcoming book on it. It's my thang.
So, what can you do with your Sphere of Influence TODAY to fill your pipeline for 2010?
Well, just about anything, really. Except begging, bribing or pestering. If, today, you begin making a concerted effort to reconnect with the people you know, by the end of the year, you'll have made a real impression on a lot of people. And I'll bet you'll have met a lot MORE people to include in your sphere to make a real impression on.
What do I mean by reconnect? Well, it depends on how formal you want to get with it. If you've been hankering to change up your business model away from traditional prospecting and into something a little more fun, then you might want to explore the various programs available to walk you thru doing just that (and yeah, I have one of those).
Or, just set some easy goals to have a couple lunch dates every week, to pick up the phone and call a friend if you have a bona-fide reason to. Accept invitations to parties you might normally decline. Have your own casual dinner party or afternoon BBQ. Organize a girls night or boys night out. Go through your email inbox and look for old conversations you can pick back up. Oh, heavens, there are a gazillion things you can do to get back in touch with the people you know and increase the likelihood of making new friends.
Just promise me you won't beg, bribe or pester anyone for business during your reconnection efforts. Or, ever. If you do, your friends and acquaintances won't appreciate being reconnected with and not only will your Sphere of Influence business model fail, you'll likely lose some friendships over it.
And that's bad.
Next up: The Very BEST Way to Fill Up Your Pipeline
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Tips & Inspirations to Generate Business from the Very Important People Who Know You
Shirley – I promise I will not beg … it’s not my style.
Shirley - Good Post - Networking will always work and being a secret agent will not work. You have to let people know what you are doing for a living.
This is good advice from Jennifer, thanks for re-blogging it. Someone just tried to reconnect with my mother in a very inappropriate way this week... she could benefit from reading this. : )
Shirley
I really needed this blog and the timing was perfect. iIused to do so much to stay in touch with SOI. I have been a bad boy and fell down on the job. Time to rekindle.
Thanks.