The 7 Different Types of Networking Groups

All networking groups are not created equal. I'm not saying that one is necessarily better than the others, but your expectations and the rules of engagement are different.

According to the Guru of Networking, Ivan Misner (Founder of Business Networking International), you should belong to at least three of the below seven different types of networking groups to maximize your exposure.

Let's discuss the different types of networking groups, and who should and should not join the different types of groups.

Strong Contact Networking Groups

This type of networking group meets on a regular basis (usually every week). You will be meeting with the same people each week and there may be visitors from time to time. Attendance and the giving and receiving of referrals are strictly monitored. Also, when you are a member of this type of networking group, you will have exclusive dibs on your profession - there will be no one else from your profession allowed to join the group. Any and all referrals for whatever it is that you sell will be given to you. Examples of a strong contact network are Business Networking International (BNI); Le Tip; and Leads Club.

These networking groups tend to meet in the morning before the start of the business day - typically over breakfast. For instance, I am a member of a chapter of BNI and we meet at 7:00am every Friday morning.

Who should join? B2B sales agents, self-employed individuals, and small business owners.

Who should stay away? Network marketers who are looking to recruit.



Casual Contact Networking Groups

Your local chamber of commerce is a good example of this genre of networking group. These networking events are usually well attended, but there will be overlap amongst vocations. For instance, if you're an insurance agent, you will most certainly bump into other insurance agents. The best way to get noticed in this type of networking group is to volunteer for a leadership roll. That way, you will stand out over your competitors. Chambers of commerce are also cool because they tend to have very good workshops.

Who should join? All sales agents, self-employed individuals, and small business owners

Who should stay away? N/A - come one, come all



Community Service Organizations

Rotary Club, Lions Club, Kiwanis, fraternaties, sororities, community boards, environmental groups, civil rights / civil liberties groups, and houses of worship all fall under this umbrella. Everyone should join something that supports their community. As I heard a gentleman named Greg Provenzo say years ago, "The grass is not greener on the other side. The grass is greener where you water the grass!" Make sure to take care of home first. However, do understand that these organizations were formed for a specific cause - not for getting more customers for your business. However, once you get people to know you, like you, and trust you, you very well may end up doing business with them.

Who should join? Everyone - take care of home!

Who should stay away? Anyone looking to get quick customers. If you are found to be the proverbial wolf in sheep's clothing, you're finished.



Women's Networking Organizations

These organizations are unique in that they tend to be combinations of two or more of the other kinds of groups. For instance, you have the National Association of Women's Business Owners (NAWBO), but you also have Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD). The first one is for business networking, but the latter is built around a social issue. Also, women's groups do allow men to join. I myself am a member of the Manhattan Women's Chamber of Commerce.

Who should join? Sales agents, business owners, freelancers, civic-minded individuals - anyone.

Who should stay away? Men who are looking for dates. Gents, the ladies will see that coming a mile away. You have been warned.



Cocktail Mixer Business Networking Events

These are probably the most prevalent among all networking groups. They are typically held in bars and restaurants, and are usually very well attended. I have met most of my contacts at these type of events. They are the quickest way to build your rolodex. However, only seasoned networkers can really flourish in this environment. More on that at a later date. One thing to be careful about is not to drink too much, and be advised that some will drink to much. Some come looking for a date, rather than seeking business opportunities. Please remember that.

Who should join? Everyone. However, don't drink too much.

Who should stay away? N/A, but be advised that loud music and alcohol will be two things that you'll have to contend with.



Professional/Trade Organizations

If you're serious about your particular profession, you probably should belong to a professional/trade organization. Examples are the Direct Selling Association (DSA), American Medical Association (AMA), National Association of Public Accountants (NAPA), National Court Reporters Association (NCRA), NY Bar Association, etc. Typically, there aren't very many sales opportunities within a professional/trade organization, but there may be opportunities for joint venturing and/cross-selling.

Who should join? All professionals/tradespersons within a give industry or trade.

Who shouldn't join? Outsiders (to the profession/trade) looking for a quick sale.



Hybrid Networking Organizations

These are organizations that do not neatly fit into one category. My organization, Grassroots Business Network, fits into this category because we are a casual contact networking group, with strong contact network, and community service organization tendencies. Also, the workshops feature uniquely qualified experts in various industries (e.g. wellness, sales, marketing, tax planning, business development, among other topics). Another example of a hybrid networking organization is the Network Marketers Alliance. They are a professional/trade organization that organizes and promotes different type of networking events.

Who should join? All sales professionals, small business owners (up to 10 employees), self-employed professionals, and freelancers.

Who should stay away? N/A, however, if you intend to give half-hearted service to rerferrals, don't bother because we will put the word out on you. You have been warned.

I hope that this blog post gives you some guidance when you're out and about on the networking scene. Please let me know how things work out for you, okay?

Tyrone Turner

Can you say 'goyasu'?

Sometimes, weird things pop into my head and I think that they are worth blogging about. I hope you agree that this was worth posting on this blog.

All sales reps and business owners have one common challenge. That challenge is marketing. We're always looking for more effective ways to get the word out about our business. In my opinion, word-of-mouth via networking is probably the most powerful and under-rated of all options. How can you create powerful word-of-mouth advertising for yourself?

By volunteering to speak at group meetings.

First of all, when you are a featured speaker, it is assumed that you are an expert on that particular topic. This is when assuming is a good thing. Speaking to groups of people can help you close volume (i.e. pitch numerous people at once) and is a great way to save time, energy, and money. You can really get your name and brand out there by volunteering to speak at events.

Oh - back to the word goyasu. Here is what it means:

G et

O ff

Y our

A ss[ets]

S peak

U p

Maybe I'll make a move to have the word goyasu added to the dictionary. Hey, if bling can make in there, why not? (smile).

So the moral of the story is to go out there, and let your light shine by sharing your expertise with others. I do understand that public speaking is not for everyone, but certainly fortune favors the bold, so be bold and collect your fortune.

If you are looking to improve your public speaking skills, networking organizations like Business Network International, Grassroots Business Network, Toastmasters International may help, and the Network Marketers Alliance may help.

Talk to you soon.

Special Announcement: An Open Letter to Network Marketers

The home-based business and direct selling industries are growing fast. There is so much opportunity for so many people to acquire new skills, time freedom, and even financial. The problem is that we network marketers are our own worst enemies - we tend to bad mouth other companies and their representatives.

When working toward a common goal, everyone else circles their wagons and fires outward, but as the legendary network marketing trainer, Mark Yarnell, says, "Network marketers circle wagons and fire inward."

This in no way raises our image among the general public. If anything, it makes us all look like starving hyenas.

We also need to stop trying to recruit everyone that crosses our path. The driving force of any business is customers. Why are people so focused on the recruiting aspect? You can have a huge sales organization/downline, but the truth of the matter is this: If no customers are being acquired, no money is made.

Like superstar network marketing trainer, Kim Klaver, asks, "When you go into a car dealership, they try to sell you a car. NOT try convincing you to open your own dealership, right?"

I am working very closesly with a group of network marketers in NYC who are diligently working to create a virtual chamber of commerce for network marketers where they can meet other network marketers selling everything from A to Z. Over time - after getting to know, like, and trust one another, members will be able to refer customers to each other, without the fear of the people they send being pitched to be recruited.

No other business does that - tries to sell you their business opportunity first over their product/service. Why are we network marketers so goofy? According to the Direct Selling Association, 1 out of 10 (10%) will buy your product(s)/service(s), but only 1 out of 1,000 (less than 1%) wants to start a business.

Doesn't it make since to pursue customers? You can have a full staff of sales reps, but if no one is coming through the door to buy your product(s)/service(s), you don't have a business - you have a social club. In mainstream businesses, this is when people get laid off.

I myself currently buy products and services from numerous network marketing companies. Here are some of the companies: Pre-Paid Legal Services; Vitamark; SendOutCards; United Credit Education; Scent-Sations/Mia Bella Candles; and AmeriPlan among them. These are products that I would buy anyway, so why not buy them from a network marketing company (via an independent contractor like myself)? Network marketing companies tend to have better, safer products anyway.

Another thing is that there is too much "rah-rah" hype going on in network marketing meetings today. There is a place for goal setting, positive thinking, and motivation, but there is a big void when it comes to skills training. Skills training goes far beyond learning scripts on how to pitch your business to someone. Also, a person who is only taught goal setting, and positive thinking may be extremely motivated and high-energy. But if there is no business skill training, that individual is very likely to have a negative cash flow and quickly becomes a pariah to most people - because she/he will always be in recruiting mode.

We should all commit to learning business and communication skills (including active listening) in order to be successful.

Learning how to network is also very, very important. Networking includes seeing opportunities for others and yourself, relationship building, and follow-up skills. These skills can be taught, and indeed must be taught to network marketers if we are to be taken seriously.

A rising tide lifts all ships, right? Together, everyone achieves more, right? Zig Ziglar says, "Help others get what they want, and you get what you want," correct?

If we direct sellers and network marketers want to be taken seriously, this is something we need to work on. So, in support of this effort to improve skills development among network marketers, and to foster cross-selling so that we can keep the money in the network marketing family, the organizers of this meetup group are working to make this a true chamber of commerce for network marketers, and to foster professionalism by educating retaining the services of qualified instructors who can teach all of us various generic skills and need-to-know information like getting organized, how to evaluate a business, tax planning, relationship management, etc.

Effective immediately, I'm am in the process of forming networking 'power teams' comprised of network marketers from different companies. We're looking to form different groups of 15 members (Fab 15), and have no more than one representative per company or industry on teach team. We intend to meet once per month, and again, these meetings will be limited to 15 people.

Some of our gatherings will be live, face-to-face events, but the majority will be phone-based speed networking events using the awesome platform provided by BlitzTime.

Here is how a Fab 15 group will look (one rep per company or industry) - please do not feel slighted if your company is not named. This is just an example:

Pre-Paid Legal; Mia Bella Candles; United Credit Education; NetWorth USA; Send Out Cards; May Kay; Pampered Chef; Isagenix; Discovery Toys; Primerica Financial Services; Ambit Energy; Money Mastery for Life; Vitamark; Ribbon (Quixtar); and Passion Parties.

None of the above companies are competing products or services, and should be able to get along well with each other. We will use the model of well-estathe Breakfast Network to facilitate our meetings for the best results and benefits to all involved.

Also, we will be airing a monthly Internet radio show at www.HomeBizRadioShow.com. All of the calls will be recorded and archived for playback, downloading, and burning to CD.

Let me know if you're interested in being on a future broadcast - we're always looking for guests for our show.

Please come in the spirit of cross-selling and commerce - NOT recruiting. Those who are looking to become "downline pirates' are not welcome here.

We hope to see you at one of our future events!

Tyrone Turner
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I just had an awakening about MLM

I have decided to align myself with an MLM coaching and mentoring company.

WHY? I came across a very useful set of guidelines that got me thinking. They are called "The 5 Pillars of Success" (according to Michael Dloughy).

Here they are:

1. The company's management team must have rock-solid experience backed with unquestionable integrity. Ideally, they are currently active in network marketing and presently building a downline organization.



2. Timing in the company. Timing in the profession of network marketing. Timing within national and global trends.



3. Remarkable products people will buy even without a compensation plan attached to them.



4. A compensation plan that rewards the top builders as well as fairly rewarding the part-time person. Studies show that 96% of your team will be made of part-time people.



5. A "proven" duplicable system that allows part-time people to create a significant royalty income and full-time people to create an extraordinary royalty income.

My friend, you may not even be interested in starting a home-based network marketing business, or you may already be a distributor for a company, but I encourage you to plug into Michael Dloughy's FREE, generic network marketing mentoring and training.

This training will help you find the right home-based network marketing business for YOU - not me, or anyone else, but for YOU. Or, it will help you make the most out of your current network marketing business.

For the free mentoring and training site, CLICK HERE.

See you at the top!

~Tyrone Turner

The biblical story of Joseph, and the election of Barack Obama

This is a business blog, but due to the historical significance of electing Barack Obama to the Presidency of the United States, I decided to post this entry to my blog.

This instantly popped into my mind when Katie Couric announced that Barack Obama is projected to become the President of the United States of America.

Folks, were you raised in the church, synagogue, or mosque? If so, you probably remember the story of Joseph, son of Jacob.

To learn or reacquaint yourself with is story, click on the links below:

Joseph's Dreams / Joseph Sold By His Brothers
http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Genesis+37&version=47



Joseph and Potiphar's Wife
http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Genesis+39&version1=47



Joseph Interprets Pharaoh's Dreams / Joseph Rises to Power
http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Genesis+41&version1=47



Joseph's Brothers Go to Egypt
http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Genesis+42&version1=47



Joseph's Brothers Return to Egypt
http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Genesis+43&version1=47



Joseph Tests His Brothers
http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Genesis+44&version1=47



Joseph Provides for His Brothers and His Family
http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Genesis+45&version1=47



Joseph Brings His Family to Egypt / Jacob and Joseph
http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Genesis+46&version1=47

Where am I going with this? I am the grandson of sharecroppers, and the great-great-great grandson of slaves. Born in the United States of America - modern day Egypt as it is 'THE' country on the world stage.

President-elect, Barack Obama, is very much like Joseph. He had a dream, and strong faith in the face of overwhelming odds to become an administrator in the land of his people's bondage.

Don't hear me wrong now. President-elect Obama IS NOT a prophet or the second-coming of Christ.

If you are a Christian, Muslim, or Jew, you know better than to put your undying faith into any man or woman. That is reserved for the MOST HIGH (or whatever your deem appropriate).

It is just that this is like prophecy to black folks born in this country. I didn't think that I would live to see this moment. It is so relieving to see that the country can get passed the color issue and elect a black man to the presidency.

I never thought that I would see this in my lifetime, and I hope that I live to see individuals of Latino, Asian, Jewish descent get elected to our great nation's high office.

GOD bless America.

Kind regards,

Tyrone Turner
http://www.linkedin.com/in/tyroneturner

How to get more people to your networking events

The blog entry below are some ideas I picked up from a phenomenal sales trainer that I met recently named Lawrence Sharpe. He is a principal in a company called Neo-Sage (www.neo-sage.com).

Lawrence Sharpe is a director with Manhttan BNI - a franchise of Business Network International (BNI).

___

First things first, here is what to say to people:

"I get together every month with other small business owners and sales professional to share ideas and to pass referrals to each other. We work together to help each other build our respective business - get more sales. Would you be interested in joining us at our next event?"

Disclaimer: You can take a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. These are some things that are within YOUR control, so these are the things that you can do to boost attendance at your networking events.

1. Who are your current vendors and service providers?
   
   Follow your dollar. Who do you spend money with? Who does... your taxes, your lawn, your housekeeping, your dry cleaning, your stationery, fixes your car, etc.
   
   You are their customer, and in a world of endless choices, they want to keep your business and get more referrals, right?



2. Who already gives you referrals?
   
   They will add to the energy as they already endorse you.



3. Who is in your social circle?
   
   Let them come see what you do to grow your business when you're not knocking back tequila shots (Oops! Told on myself)



4. Who are your customers?
   
   Ask them to come out to support you - they may see you in a new light, and meet someone that can fill one of their needs.



5. Who would you like to have as a client (i.e. your prospects)?
   
   Who are people that are your 'must-have' customers? Instead of trying to cold call them or trying to get a meeting with them, how about inviting them to an event by sending them an invitation letter or card then following up with a phone call. If you bring them to a setting where they may also build their business, it is a lot less threatening.

I hope that this helps.

For a calendar of upcoming networking events hosted by me and my partners in Grassroots Business Network, go to www.GbnLLC.info.

The 6 Points of Leverage

I got this info after reading Robert G. Allen's and Mark Victor Hansen's book entitled The One Minute Millionaire.

Check this out:

1) Mentors

You must have teachers to show you the way. Experience is the best teacher - especially someone else's. Why take lumps when you don't have to? Work smarter, not harder.

2) Team

Business is a team sport, and teams win. That is what Robert Kiyosaki has taught us. When you put a bunch of determined, independent, competent people together, success happens in uncommon hours.

3) Infinite Network

When you build your team, the million dollar question is "Who do you know who [sells/buys/etc.]?" This is how you break through to the next level to accomplish your goals.

4) Skills

Friends, if you take an idiot and you motivate him/her, you will have a motivated idiot. People need to move beyond being motivated, and become competent. Skill development is crucial to business success. The most important skill that one can develop is the skill to sell/persuade. This is when skills pay the bills, folks.

5) Tools

What separated Neanderthals, from Cro Magnons, and Cro Magnons from Homo Sapiens? The intelligence to employ the use of tools. There is no need to do the heavy lifting. Use tools to get the job done.

6) System

The authors of this book use system as an acronym - Save Your Self Time Energy [and] Money. You see, your teachers are grooming you. Your team is supporting you. You're meeting people through the infinite network. You have developed some necessary skills. You have tools to make it easier. The system helps you put it all together.

Do you have a system?

Here is an analysis of the SendOutCards system. I refer to SendOutCards a lot, because I am rather fond of the company, and it's products have helped me prosper in Corporate America, and in my business.

Here is my checklist:

Mentors: Kody Bateman; Jordan Adler; David Frey; Steven Greene; and Phil Barnhardt

Team: David Steiner; Florence Callendar; and Charmaine Johnson (there are others, but these two are stars)

Infinite network: Colleagues on the SendOutCards forum and mailing list - whew! Those gals and guys know everybody - they introduced me to Business Network International (BNI), and inspired me to start Grassroots Business Network, LLC

Skills: BNI; and the members and the experts of Grassroots Business Network

Tools: SendOutCards' contact manager and the greeting cards and post cards

System: Step 1 - send one unexpected card each day; Send 2 - Send one DVD and e-mail the online walk through link each day; Step 3 - Set up 1 free gift account a day; Step 4 - You may or may not be interested in this, but there are 3 ways to become a sender of cards. Where do you see yourself getting started (i.e. make a decision)?

See there, that is is easy-to-follow plan.

To learn more about SendOutCards and how it could help grow your business, and to take a FREE test-drive of the program, CLICK HERE.

Talk to you soon.