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

Herding Cats

I am a bit of a multi-tasker. I don’t sit still that much unless it is to sit at the computer where I have multiple windows open and I am working on several things at once.

I have heard people say that one should focus on one thing at a time to accomplish much, but I dare them to try to keep up with me on an average day. I get a lot done. I love to write blogs, emails, newsletters and books and I stay up late into the night creating marketing material. I go to a lot of meetings. I speak at functions. I balance plates on straws while juggling balloons and I put 70,000 km on my car every year as I do it. Why? Because I love it!

I love being with people. Networking is my thing. I totally enjoy meeting different people from different backgrounds and now thanks to Donna Dahl I am actually remembering their names. How awesome is that?

When Craig Chandler first told me that he wanted to get out of running networking clubs he said it was because “it is like herding cats.” I think he meant that it was a lot to do with all of the meetings and all of the people but it made me smile because one of my favorite all time videos is about herding cats. And this is something that may be difficult to some but I am just like that cowboy in the video rounding them up, I am happiest when I am out on the range doing my thing.

There is a lot of work in making a business network run. We are developing material, getting contests in place, preparing the marketing, automating the follow-up systems, shaking hands, coordinating staff, meeting the people, making connections…

But... it’s actually a lot of fun and we are getting a lot done in a short time. I enjoy herding cats.

Always Loyal2U,

Kerry

My Passion For Networking

Networking is a passion of mine. I have always been someone who enjoys visiting with others and learning about them and their lives, so when I started my first business it was a natural fit. I enjoy the encounter with strong personalities and the sharing of ideas. I love being a connector and continually look for new ways to put people into the path of partners for their mutual profit. Pursuing new business and staying in the hunt for great relationships has become a passion of mine.

Jim Messner the founder of the Calgary Business Network became a dear friend and a trusted Mentor. I was so green and had little experience in business so having a coffee with Jim stimulated great discussions and helped to stretch my thinking toward success. Jim is an incredible networker and has been a great example for me. He introduced me to books and to concepts that helped refine my networking skills. As a result of our friendship I had gotten the account to do the email and social media marketing for the CBN and the groups had enjoyed some increases.

Christmas 2011 Jim decided it was time to spend more time travelling in the US and it was time to move on from the CBN. That was when we decided that I would take over the company. For me it was an exciting prospect. I absolutely love the interaction with business people and growing the numbers of members is a challenge that I enjoy. Systems and marketing needed to be created and creativity is also an ongoing passion for me so I went right to work developing a team and monetizing the CBN.

The work has paid off. We took a small list of about 500 participants and turned the email list into 3300. We grew the LinkedIn group from 300 to 1500. We monetized a completely money-less system and had a 300% growth rate. When annual memberships went on sale last fall we had members opting in immediately and the number one seller was the high value MasterMind Level at $2000, even though we had an entry level of $350 on the table as well. We had found a niche where business owners, entrepreneurs and corporate executives felt they were getting superb value and they were willing to join us in a higher vision that meant increased success for all involved.

When Craig Chandler first approached me about buying the PGIB business clubs it was an intriguing concept. He had 13 chapters in operation and most of them had strong leadership in place with a loyal following of committed members. As I visited the groups I found the business owners to be sharp men and women of high integrity who shared my passion for networking. They were open to new ideas and many had years of experience and offered valuable opinions on how to grow the organization. Really the decision to buy these groups was a no-brainer right from the start. They are a phenomenal group of people who add additional value to all that we were already envisioning for networking in the Calgary market. So we are absolutely delighted to announce that the papers have been signed and the process is moving forward.

2013 is going to be a year of exciting growth. I and my team will be visiting each of the chapters over the next few weeks getting to know the members and listening to their thoughts and gathering information. It is not our intention to change what works. Many of these groups have fantastic leaders and processes that have served them well. We will be looking for ideas however on how to hone things to make everything work even better. We want to see the weekly participation be over the 20 member mark in each chapter. We want to develop additional groups in new areas of the city as well as in Red Deer and Lethbridge. We want to see that value is added to every member’s experience and that each business owner is getting leads and referrals. These are our goals for 2013 and we are anticipating great success in this venture.

Thank you for stopping by to read about my passion for networking today. This is my personal blog where I talk about business and sometimes share other more private workings of my mind. Feel free to follow it to keep up with me. We also have a blog on our networking website that is all about business and we not only feature my articles but also the articles of our paid annual members as they submit them to us. I would also encourage you to visit our LinkedIn page. It is a great way to see what other members are doing in the community and have some lively discussions about networking and business. Facebook also has a group for those of you that prefer that.

On our website on the right side you will always be able to see the educational events that we put on for business owners, entrepreneurs, salespeople, and corporate executives. The calendar as well features these items as well as the events that some of our members provide and now many of the PGIB weekly meetings are posted as well.

We look forward to a long and rewarding relationship with you. See you at the next event!

Always Loyal2U,

Kerry George 

Being Connected

One of the best things about doing business in Calgary is the way that people do business in Calgary. I don’t know what your experience has been but mine has been truly awesome.

I spent 12 years in ministry and entered into the business realm with fear and trepidation about a year and a half ago. I was unfamiliar with business practices and really green in operational procedures. I had some ideas of how to do some modern marketing based on some experiences that I had and some great results that I had been able to achieve on a few projects. I felt that I could learn what I needed to, hire some experts and see some good things happen. It was not really a planned entrance into the marketplace so it is with great pleasure that I can announce that we are around and doing well at this time. We are beating the odds and seeing growth every month, hiring new employees and making a major impact in the marketplace.

Loyal2U is growing and with the acquisition of the Calgary Business Network we are in a very exciting place indeed. We are showing with the two companies an increase in profits each month and we are quickly establishing a market niche and seeing real results for those who choose to do business with us. This last month we took on beautiful office space in Douglasdale at the Destiny Business Centre. It has got to be some of the top lease property in the city. The whole building is absolutely gorgeous with floor to ceiling hardwood doors, glass and tastefully colored walls. There is a foyer, a marvelous boardroom and a great kitchen. If that is not enough the owner even provides coffee, tea and bottled water for us and our clients (There is space available if you need some 403-809-3146 and the address is 105, 11500 29 Street SE).

On top of all of that one of our clients for Loyal2U Jim Pescott has adorned the walls with his world renowned paintings. Jim is a pointillist who travels to Italy, New York and Toronto regularly. He has been written up in major third party magazines as a Master Pointillist and it is an honor to showcase his work here for personal and corporate viewing.

Things are looking very rosy for Loyal2U and The Calgary Business Network but did we do it all ourselves. It is true that over the last few months we have brought on some exceptional team players. We have a sales team that is absolutely gifted at relationship marketing making the customers interest the highest priority. We have some very competent people working behind the scenes as well getting out the message for ourselves and for our clients online. These are all good. However, our team is much larger than those that make the payroll.

I believe our increasing success has less to do with us and more to do with those that we have connected with. It has to do with people like Jim Messner who was the founder of the Calgary Business Network who took a chance on us when nobody even knew who Loyal2U was. It has to do with Velda Paynter who owns Velda’s Grower Direct and has become a friend and a contributor in many ways. It has to do with many of the business people that I met personally over the last year and people who have sown into my life and the lives of my staff through personal mentorship.  Guys like Pepsi Fortin and Alex Privalov who took a deep interest in the training and mentoring of our sales staff and personal mentors like Kathleen Mailer of Today’s Business Woman Magazine and Doug Tibben who have aided us with advice and service. I could list many more here as there have been dozens that have contributed and I am sure there will be dozens more in this next year.

In business there are many twists and turns. Connections to others that care and that know things that you don’t know are very important. The right connections connect you with more right connections. The right connections refer you. The right connections are easy for you to promote as well.

I recently re-read “The Go-Giver”by Bob Burg. I love that he left the connector until last. The connector was the link in the net that made networking so profitable for everyone else in the story. The connector made everything else possible. I hope to be a great connector when I grow up. How about you?

It is not what you know, but who you know that matters. And it really matters how well you know them and that they know you too. Really know you...

Always Loyal2U,

Kerry George

Addendum 

This is a video on how NOT to network. I had to chuckled at some of methods and catch phrases...

The Right Connection

At Loyal2U we go to a lot of networking events. When I say a lot, I mean a lot. Every week I go to at least one and sometimes three and I have trained the sales team to do the same. We love networking meetings so much that we happily acquired The Calgary Business Network just after Christmas this last year just so we could go to more of them and have a hand in what makes networking so awesome.

Between networking and the social media vortex that we have created online we get a lot of new business from these events. We build relationships with our customers by taking them along and connecting them to their ideal clients. We create relationships with new prospects by meeting them at the events or solidifying relationships that we made online. So having had a little experience in networking I always enjoy hearing a fresh perspective.

Recently I attended a Real Estate networking event. There was beer and food and lots of networking. One of my clients had asked me to come and she was a marvelous hostess introducing me to many of her colleagues and friends with tremendous edification. I was having a delightful time meeting new people and enjoying many conversations.

Earlier in the week an associate of mine had advised me to take stacks of business cards and to work the crowd, but I found myself instead drawn to just a few good people where I was truly building relationships. At one point in the evening I ran into another “networker” friend who made a profound point that I shall never forget.

This gal told me that her approach was entirely different. She no interest at all in making dozens of connections with people who would not remember her next week. No. She was there just to make 2 or 3 connections with key people that she would want to do some business with over the next year. She had not specifically targeted an individual. It was not a ploy to ‘get in good’ with the leader of XYZ Corporation. It was just a simple method that worked for her. She would meet up with friends, find out about people, and trust that timing, instincts or Divine intervention would put her in front of 2 or 3 great contacts that would really matter in the larger picture of life. She would simply be herself, be confident, and be available for something GREAT to happen.

What was really interesting was the fact that after she told me this method one of my long time colleagues became a fresh contact and an instant friend that very night. It was a pleasure to see two great people line up together to do future business endeavors.It was a moment of absolute Divine Appointment as her dream came true, her method worked and she made an important contact for her business' success.

Later in the evening I too found myself in a long and powerful conversation with someone that I had not spoken to in months. That encounter positioned me as well for some awesome opportunities in the next year.

So in the end I would recommend that we all could learn from her. It is not always the number of people that you connect to. Quality and real heartfelt connection are better in many cases than shear numbers. Enjoy your events. Enjoy your relationships. Enjoy your success. After all, what else is there but good food, good friends, family and the joy of a good life?

Put Your Cowboy Hat On!

The Calgary Stampede means different things for different people. It is a time for Calgarians to show their heritage and get out their cowclothes complete with buckles, belts, boots and hats. Gentlemen are more likely to open a door and say “Mam” as they pass by and then there is the good ol’ hospitality of lots of free breakfasts, barbeques and beef on a bun.

Those of you in the tourist or retail industry are very likely pretty excited. After all this is a big time of year for you. If you are in the sales industry may be more or less excited depending on what you sell. In our industry of social media and online footprinting we are in a huge upturn. Every time of year is good right now. Everyone needs us.

Being part of the Calgary Business Network puts our team at Loyal2U around all kinds of business people within a variety of industries. I have had some professionals tell me that during the Stampede they send everyone on vacation because no sales can be made because everyone is stampeding this month.

Personally I am more of an optimist than that. I feel that every day is a good day for making a sale and that there are no bad times of the year, just bad attitudes that hold us back. 

So here are a few of my personal tips for making the most out of Stampede Week. I hope that you like them:

• Get out your cowboy hat and jeans and make contacts at the Stampede Tradeshow and book them all for the week after.
• Take potential clients with you to the rodeo.
• Take advantage of all the free pancake breakfasts by meeting clients there, taking sales staff there, making new contacts there. Use http://flapjackfinder.com/ to find out where they are.
• Get back on LinkedIn and see who you can do business with in another city where there is no Stampede going on.
• Take your camera along and get great shots of potential clients and put them on a Send Out Card with a note about getting together for coffee the week after the Stampede. (If you go to the link I have arranged a free one just for you.)

Got any other ideas? Send them to me at Loyal2Uinfo@gmail.com and I may post them for you.