3 Networking Tips Everyone Can Use!

Everyone knows that Networking is based on 3 primary factors: Know, Like, and Trust!

Remember, you don’t have to be a business owner to use “networking” as a strategy in your life. Think about it… when you need a carpenter, handyman, or roofer, you go to the people in your network. When you’re looking for a job or even just thinking of switching careers, you immediately go to your network for referrals right?

For this week’s post, I wanted to take a moment to reintroduce myself to you as I feel it’s very important for you to know and understand who I really am and why Task Complete was created.

Do You “Know” Me?

How long have you been doing what you do and how did you become a personal concierge and Lifestyle Management Expert?

To answer this question, it’s probably best that I share with you a defining moment and resulting “compelling story” that brought me to where I am today, working with busy professionals like you who are struggling to find a balance between work, family and personal commitments.

That defining moment in my life happened in the winter of 2005, in which I found myself in the grocery store maneuvering 4 children and 2 shopping carts through the aisles. Each child wanting to “help” by grabbing items off the shelves and tossing them onto the floor, or into the cart! At that moment, I knew “there has to be a better way!” I just had to find it.

But let’s go back a little bit farther…

As a little girl I was always the one who was looking out for the other kids in the neighborhood. Even at the age of 4, I was the “mother hen”, making sure the kids didn’t run out in the middle of the street or that they got home in time for dinner. I was the responsible one…

So, needless to say, as I grew into adulthood, I found myself wanting to always be around other people, helping them through life, health and even everyday issues. I was the “Go to Gal”.

I decided to take this passion for others and pursued a career in nursing which fulfilled my desire to care for people, their families and their needs. This chapter of my life lasted a full 21 years in a healthcare setting. I thoroughly enjoyed my tenure in specialty areas, post surgical units and nursing management.

So, with my ability to run an efficient household that always had what we needed, home cooked family meals as often as our work schedule would allow and free time to live, love and play, I started witnessing so many of my friends struggling to find their own down time. They would be up making cupcakes at midnight or not having a date night for months. I watched relationships struggle and self care go out the window, all because there wasn’t enough time in the day to get things done.

I have since made a commitment to dedicate the rest of my professional life to helping other busy professionals and harried working moms everywhere achieve a better quality of life. Whether it’s through coaching, seminars or “done for you” services, we as a company are here to support Busy individuals who truly value having order, freedom and play time in their lives.

The “Like” factor.

Let’s be honest, you simply have to be “likeable” but in order to do that, consider how you talk, communicate and share with one another. Smile, exchange great information, do what you say you will do… But for goodness sake, be TRUE and not a “fakey pants”!

The “Trust” Factor!

When building a successful business “trust” is a key factor to getting and keeping clients and maintain successful business relationships. But these principals go beyond the business aspect and can be used to build stronger personal relationships as well.

Keep Your Promises

If you say you will do something, then for goodness sake, please do it! I have actually told people “hey, I want to buy from you but not right now, will you call me at the end of the month?” Guess what? Never called… so what type of trust is built there?

This happens so often with contractors… I see it all the time! Recently I was working for a client obtaining several estimates for work that needed to be done in the home. I bet you can guess what the percentage was of those that provided the estimates as they had promised.

Keep Things Confidential

When people tell you something in confidence, don’t be a gossip hound! That person must trust you if they’re sharing information/stories with you. So don’t break that trust buy airing someone else’s information. Be cool, just keep it to yourself.

In my business I joke around that people have to trust me and my team at Task Complete because sometimes we’re in people’s naughty bit drawers! Seriously though, when we are privy to confidential information, that info is held sacred. We would never jeopardize our relationship in that way. And to offer peace of mind, we sign confidentiality agreements when appropriate.

Keep the Lines of Communication Open

This is absolutely crucial for any relationship!! I would say that if you were to ask a relationship expert they would say lack of respect and communication are the biggest causes of relationship issues.

In business, when you hit a project you’re not comfortable with, or a problem pops up, or a mistake has occurred, just be honest about it and communicate. People are much more willing to work through a situation with you as long as you stay open and honest about it!

Have you ever expected a delivery at your home? They give you a 4 hour window. Then what happens, they don’t come during that time. They were caught in traffic or the truck broke down. If they give you a courtesy and call just explaining the situation, you may not be happy, but you at least know what to expect. But when they don’t call and show up an hour late… no tip!

Keep Your Mouth Shut

(Harsh… I know, but I was trying to keep with the “keep” theme happening here)

Look. We’re not in 7th grade anymore. Don’t say things behind other people’s back. It’s just not cool. What’s that thing we learned as children? If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it all.

Imagine you’re having tea with an associate and you start talking about someone else. You never know who that person knows nor the people around you. That just sets you up for bad Mojo. Think of HIPPA violations in the medical community. That’s why it was established.

Worse yet, that person will lose trust in you because they’ll always wonder “do they talk about me too?”

I actually had someone come to me who wanted to work for Task Complete . After reviewing her resume I noticed she worked for someone I knew in the business community. When I mentioned this and asked why she no longer worked for that company, she stated in about 500 words how awful and unrealistic that person was to work for. Now, I don’t know if it was true or not, but obviously that wasn’t anyone I wanted working for me because she couldn’t keep her mouth shut! Those aren’t the qualities I want represented in my company.

I encourage you to build this strategy into your business!