Becoming The Connector

This week I received a phone call from a man asking me if I knew any people from a certain industry. I informed him that I knew at least 50 such qualified people and I reached for my binder full of business cards on my desk to start looking through them. After a few minutes we easily identified the most likely candidates for his unique opportunity and I sent out a few emails setting up the meetings.

So how did I get to be so connected? Really it all happened very fast. I was a Pastor for 12 years and when I entered the realm of business only 2 short years ago I can assure you that I did not know anyone at all. A good friend of mine Darlene Hull suggested that I go with her to a networking event. That is where I met Jim Messner who at the time owned the CBN. He informed me how important networking events were and told me that the connections that I made would be strategic to my success. It was Jim’s influence that led me to more networking events and his connections that brought me many friends and clients for my social media business.

Networking opened doors and once the doors were opened I learned that one could keep them open by thinking more of others. When someone told me about an opportunity that they had, I made an effort to connect them to a person that was a good fit for their opportunity. When I learned of investments, I let investors know. When I learned that someone was unhappy with their home and looking for a new one I called a Realtor  I sent out emails and CCed both parties explaining to them why I thought they should get together and I said something good about each of them so they would feel comfortable to follow up.

I never thought about being a “connector” until I read Bob Burg’s book The Go-Giver. That is a great story about the “connector.” By the time I finished it I decided that when I grow up I would like to be a “connector” too! You should pick up a copy. It may inspire you to also be a “connector.”

Always Loyal2U,

Kerry George