It's Not Who You Know, It's Who Knows You!

Most of us who have been in the networking game for a while know that it's the quality of your relationships that determine your success in business.  How do you know when you have quality relationships?  Here are just a few indicators:

1. When you know that they would "throw themselves in front of a truck" for you
2. When they make use of your services even though they don't have to
3. When they show up to your events, speaking engagements, etc. even though they don't have to
4. When they donate money to a worthwhile cause in which you believe because you asked them to
5. When they accept you for who you are, not what you do
6. When they give you unsolicited testimonials.

When we look at the above list, those items almost sound like things that either our friends or family might do for us.  This is because that the most effective NetWorkers out there treat their relationships like they are friends or family - after all...we do business with those we trust.

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to speak at the Network Plus New Member Orientation in Rutherford, NJ.  There I met a gentleman by the name of Bill McDermott from the New Jersey Institute of Technology School of Management.  As a result of our meeting, Bill, in his newsletter had this to say:

"Friday 3/4

Whoa!  I spent a full day with Ted Fattoross and 67 other professionals at an all day conference held at Meadowlands Office Complex, 301 North Route 17 in Rutherford, NJ.  It was supposed to be in four parts with ample breaks in between.  It did not happen.  The day flew and everyone was so busy talking with each other, there was no time.  Events flowed into one another.  It was Network Plus’ first all day training and will continue every Friday hereon out.  Starting with a breakfast, the morning was structured with Ted acting as a facilitator and Ed Sees, District Sales Manager of Ameripay, acting as greeter.  Ed’s son-in-law is a graduate of New Jersey Institute of Technology.  A new member orientation was next and Adam Kovitz was the guest speaker.  He resides in Levittown, PA.  There are two.  One is in New York and the other in Pennsylvania.  What struck me about the gathering was the amount of business networking pros in the room.  Adam stood out.  He later told me he received his [Engineer in Training] certificate from NJIT.  Ted likes to surround himself with the best of the best."

As much an impression that I must have made on Bill, he made quite an impression with me.  Since that time we have forged a strategic alliance and I have been asked to speak at an upcoming event at the College in Newark.  Our mutual friend, Ted Fattoross of Network Plus will be the keynote speaker on 6/7/2005.  More on Bill and Ted's (almost sounds like a movie, doesn't it?) organizations later.
 

Kovitz Enterprises, LLC
Connecting, Educating and Inspiring Business
18 Rockwood Road
Levittown, PA 19056
(215) 945-3411