How to Network Like an Olympian
by Four-time Olympian Ruben Gonzalez
Proper networking can help you reach your goals in record time. When Napoleon Hill wrote about the “Master Mind” principle in his classic book “Think and Grow Rich,” he was basically saying that two (or more) heads are better than one.
Networking is working with other people to help each other find key contacts or key information that can help everyone reach their goals. It’s asking and giving directions that lead to success.
The key in networking is to give. To be known as a person who unselfishly connects other people. Once you do that, the sky is the limit.
How do you do that? Simple. Whenever you meet someone you could possibly help out,
spend 90% of the time learning about what they do. Once you have a handle on what they do, ask them, “How would I know if I ran into somebody that might be a good lead for you?,” or “How would I know if I met someone who might be able to help you reach your goals?”
After that, they will usually ask you what you do. And they will NEVER forget you.
As a professional speaker, I’m on planes almost every week. On most flights I’m either working on my next book or reading a book. But invariably, when the flight attendants announce that it’s time to turn off computers because we are on final approach, I turn to the person sitting next to me and ask them, “Are you flying home or away?, Where do you live? Do you have children? and then... What do you do for a living? How did you get involved in that? What’s involved? and eventually, if they do something where I might be of help, How would I know if I ran into someone who might be a good lead for you? or How would I know if I met someone who could help you reach your goal?
Around that time we have landed and are taxiing and they ask me what I do.
I get their card (they don’t need mine), and when I get home I write them a short email
telling them I enjoyed meeting them on the flight. The signature file in my email has all my information in case they ever need a professional keynote speaker or know someone who might.
Simple, easy, short, non-salesy, and most importantly.... effective.
Ruben Gonzalez is a four-time Olympian, a bestselling business author and an award-winning keynote speaker. For information on how to bring him to your next event, visitPremiereSpeakers.com/Ruben_Gonzalez.
