1. Get In the Game:
Pro hockey legend Wayne Gretzky is famous for saying, “You miss 100% of the shots you never take.” If you’re only watching from the sidelines how do expect anything good to happen? Step 1. Get in the game. Step 2. Take shots.
2. Get Noticed:
Start networking to get noticed but remember that (at first) no one cares about you. It’s a harsh reality but I’m willing to bet that aside from your family or significant other, no one–not your boss, colleagues or friends–are staying up late thinking, “I wonder how I can help Julie make more money, find new customers, grow her biz…”
If you want it, you have to make it happen. No one is going to hand it to you. No one cares about your brilliant idea or how great your services are as much as you, UNLESS it directly benefits THEM. Start networking to build relationships and get noticed.
3. You Get What You Give:
I would rather be at the DMV instead of at some of these “traditional” networking events and mixers I’ve attended. But there’s something different happening at Linked Orange County. Most of our events have a technology, digital or social business thread. We’re not a bunch of 20-something’s, we’re a diverse cross section of OC that wants to stay ahead of the curve. But don’t show up expecting to get without giving. The events are great when you help them to be great. Does that make sense?
Help keep this group special. Don’t be “that guy.” Some people at events look like they are going to explode unless they unload their awesome idea on you. They are dancing around with excitement and and won’t shut up for 20 minutes. Be respectful of others’ time. Remember what Steven Covey said in the classic book, 7 Habits of Highly Successful People, “Seek to understand before you are understood. Don’t dominate the conversation. Ask about the other person first. Listen. Then talk and build friendships. If you pitch, do it in 60 seconds. Then wait for a response. If you get asked more about it, then exchange ideas and keep asking about the other person.
4. Keep Your Connections Warm:
How do you feel about the friend who only shows up when he needs to borrow something or help moving furniture? My friend Chris Brogan said, “No one likes desperation in relationships, no one likes it in business either.” Keep your connections warm, don’t let them get cold.
If it’s been 6 months and your first contact with me is a desperation call because you need help, that’s not cool. Don’t be a fair-weather friend. Keep your connections warm so that when you need help or you can help others you have a strong support system.
5. The Person Who Can Help Most is the Person You Least Expect:
Sometimes you might not want to show up to an event because you don’t think the “right people” are there. In my experience the famous, notable, popular, wealthy–whatever people can’t help you or don’t care about helping. Don’t judge a book by its cover, you never know what someone can do for you or who they know that might make all the difference.
6. Pull Your Weight:
If you are a member of Linked Orange County, you have a responsibility. Remember the Little Red Hen? In the story of the Little Red Hen the Hen decides to make some delicious bread. All of her friends want to eat it but are not willing to help. There’s a lot of work to be done and moral of the story is about pulling your weight, not being selfish and earning rewards.
One of my favorite quotes and the #1 principle upon which Linked Orange County is founded is, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” If we really want to create something special, we all need to participate. What can we do when we do it together? The possibilities are endless…
Linked Orange County’s first networking event of the year had 200 of Orange County’s top biz peeps and influencer’s. Celebrity Apprentice star and Fortune 100 Chief Marketer Jeff Hayzlett energized the crowd with a great presentation on creating change in your organization. Check back here for the video recap coming soon.
What’s next? The Feb. 22 networking event features a keynote from best selling author Brian Solis. The event page is LIVE and the Early Bird pricing of $17 is up for a limited time before the pricing goes up to $79.
*Q: Why do these things cost money?
*A: Ticket sales and sponsorship underwrite 100% of our activities.
There are no member dues or additional fees so tickets help pay for talent fees, hotel and flights, operations and our web development, administration, and more. Sound fair?
What’s the event theme?
The End of Business As Usual: How to use digital and social technologies to evolve, grow and survive / thrive
The full 2012 schedule is published here.
Bryan Elliott, BS '99
Latest posts by Bryan Elliott, BS '99 (see all)
- Double-header Orange County Events Batter Up April 10 - March 24, 2013
- Pick Yourself - March 7, 2013
- Seth Godin Live in Orange County - March 1, 2013
