Networking With Purpose

Asking Boyd Baldomero how long he’s been networking makes him pause to think. It’s a long pause. The answer: “My whole life.”

“In Hawaii it seems we’re all natural networkers,” says Baldomero, an agent for Hawaii-based health insurance carrier HMAA. “Our culture encourages and fosters connecting with people. Our culture also almost dictates that we help people whenever and however we can – and connecting and helping others to connect is what networking is all about.”

Baldomero has a wide net of friends he’s known for years – many since grade school. In fact, as we spoke for this article, a friend he hadn’t seen in nearly a decade approached us. And in true networking form, Baldomero traded business cards and set up a time to catch up with is friend.

Friends and family already look to Baldomero as a source of information on restaurants, movies, and things to do. “And now I’m looking to expand my knowledge and usefulness into other areas,” says Baldomero.

To do this, Baldomero is actively working on his “networking with purpose” skills. He is a student in the Certified Networker Program at the Referral Institute, a member of BNI, and a member of the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce. He is also the resident manager of an apartment building and works as a security guard at local events and concerts. He also participates in charity events, most recently focusing on diabetes-related charities in honor of his father and father-in-law. He takes pride in mentioning that he was the top fundraiser for he most recent Diabetes Walk.

“I take any opportunity to meet people,” he says. “Because you never know who you’re going to meet, or who you will have an opportunity to reconnect with. Even when I’m providing security at concerts, I see people I haven’t seen in years and I meet many others. It helps me to widen my network.”

Certainly his strength in networking is his affability. He is an overall likeable young man who can carry a conversation and ask questions that help people feel at ease and willing to share about themselves.

“I just love to ‘talk story,’” says Baldomero of the Hawaii phenomenon that helps people to connect. “It helps me to get to know people and, more importantly, discover their needs. Once I know what they need, I can help meet that need.”

Baldomero makes it a habit to provide three different referrals to people in need. For example, if a friend needs a contractor, he will offer three different names. “You never know what situation someone may be in,” says Baldomero. “You might need three estimates, a referral may be busy, or the relationship may not ‘click.’ Giving three referrals speeds up the process and gets them their help that much faster.” For the novice networker, Baldomero offers this advice: “Join BNI. Get to know other people who are trying to do what you are doing. And most importantly, keep company with like-minded people. It will keep you on track.”

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