I'm Not a ... but I Know a Great One

Networking at its most productive best allows relationships to develop which encourage us to connect friends with others who can best meet their needs.  I don't know a woman who has found her gynecologist in the phone book or on her insurance carrier's website, but I know many women who have followed me and other women to our doctors.  How much more reassuring is it to visit an expensive new restaurant that a colleague with a similar palate enjoys?  When we're trying to sort through the many educational options available for our children from pre-k and kindergarten programs, through middle school, and on to high school and college, we rely on statistical information, heavily supplemented by the experiences of friends and friends of friends.  And when we're looking for great employees we cast our net to our network.  These calls for employee candidates are some of the most indicative of solicitations that aren't necessarily intended to appeal directly to our addressee group.  Rather they are opportunities to cast a wide net to allow a broader network to reveal ideal matches and allow our friends to advocate for those who are deserving of recommendations, making these candidates rise to the top.

Since everything's connected, it's up to us to discover how the relationships we have or have access to, meet our needs and the needs of those we know.

Fan Club

Our children quickly realize that their parents are the most devoted members of their fan clubs.  Regardless of changing interests, as parents, we are 100% supporters of their current endeavors.  No other individual, organization or company could hope to achieve this 100% devotion.

However, each of us as individuals, organizations and companies can aspire to attract raving fans.  The rules for "others" are simple:

• Under-Promise, Over-Deliver
• Think like an Owner of the Enterprise and Customer Relationship
• Deliver the Platinum Rule - Treat others as they Expect to be Treated
• Quickly Resolve Complaints
• Act Decisively
• Refer without Expectation, but with Hopes of Reciprocity