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I'm excited to report that my article "7 Key Ways Scarcity Sabotages Networking" appears in the March issue of T&D Magazine, a publication of ASTD - the American Society of Training & Development.
Don't get the magazine? No worries!
You can read the article here.
Let me know what you think!
During our Abundant Networker class today, I mentioned a wonderful resource called the "GAINS Exchange".
Developed by Dr. Ivan Misner, founder and chairman of BNI, and featured in his wonderful book, Business By Referral, GAINS is an acronym for:
Goals
Accomplishments
Interests
Networks
Skills
Each of these areas represents a category of information you can ask questions about to learn more about people you meet with. It is an excellent tool for getting past "small talk" to meaningful conversation. A great resource for building relationships!
Read Dr. Misner's article on the GAINS Exchange here.
Click on the player to listen to the recording of the 3rd call in the Abundant Networker series: "I Don't Have Anything Interesting to Say": The Illusion of Not Enough in Networking
Abundant Networkers are bridge builders.
They build bridges between diverse groups of people. They introduce people with the potential to add value to each other. Adding value is not just about business transactions. It's about information, support, inspiration, creativity, and engagement.
Abundant Networkers are all about connecting -- connecting with the people they meet, not just on a superficial level, but really being engaged in learning and listening to people. Connecting is also about introducing people, being the "matchmaker" in a sense.
Abundant Networkers see opportunities to enrich other people's lives. Here's the bigger difference - they act on it.
What opportunities do you have to build bridges?
Pre-order the book that started it all!
Abundant Networkers ask.
They ask for what they want.
More importantly, they know what they want. They've done their homework, prepared for the event or meeting, and they have a plan.
Abundant Networkers also ask for help.
They aren't afraid to admit when they don't know something, or could use a hand. They understand that the power of relationships is not just in giving, but in allowing yourself to receive. When we ask for help, we give others a gift. When we don't accept help, we block the channel of reciprocity and allowing.
The Law of Reciprocity is not a one-way street. It is a rotary of entrances and exits, with new opportunities presenting themselves all the time.
But we have to allow the flow of opportunity.
What could you ask for that would open your flow of opportunity?
"We can have in life whatever we are willing to be."
Marianne Williamson, The Gift of Change
Abundant Networking is available to everyone because Abundance is available to everyone. Scarcity comes into networking when we think we have to be someone else to be successful. We think we have to fix something that's wrong with us before people will find us interesting.
This endless search for the pot of gold keeps us from being who we are. It keeps us from meeting people, building relationships, and exploring opportunities. It keeps us from going to the networking event in the first place!
On the other hand, Abundant Networking leads us to the Greatness of who we are.
Abundant Networkers let go of the search for the pot of gold and realize they've been standing on buried treasure all along.
What are you standing on?
Click on the player to listen to the MP3 of the 2nd class in The Abundant Networker series: 7 Key Ways Scarcity Sabotages Networking
Enjoy!