Bryn Johnson
Savor Community Leader/ Bryn Johnson Consulting - OwnerNew York, NY
http://www.brynjohnson.com
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Here are a few things to think about when squeezing networking and connecting time into your calendar:
Networking Tip: Block out your calendar for maximum flow. Cluster your activities into 1 or 2 hour periods. “For the next two hours I will reach out to people on that list. Phone calls. Emails.” That means you are not reading old emails, playing on social media, painting your nails, refinishing furniture- anything to avoid picking up the phone.
Networking Tip: Consider setting aside one day a week for your “outside the house” connection appointments. You know, the day when you get out of your yoga pants, flip flops and t-shirt and actually create a presentable version of a business owner who steps into the community with confidence. There are certainly many people to connect with over the phone and via the computer. But NOTHING beats a cup of coffee with someone on a Friday morning.
Start with your list of 12 (see this blog post for details on the 12- http://ow.ly/8vgU1). Keep it simple. Have fun! Remember that you are your brand and your brand needs to get out from behind your computer and meet people!
Networking Tip: Keep a list of people to meet or connect with in your wallet. Your wish list. I always have one-on a colored index card. I pull it out in quiet moments- on an airplane, subway, in the waiting room at the doctor’s office or in-line somewhere. When I see an opportunity to take a moment to reach out to someone. The activity of connecting does not have to be overwhelming. Plus, how great is it to actually run into someone who is on your “wish list”? It happens to me all the time at airports, at conferences, or I’ll get an unsolicited email from one of them. Now THAT’S fun!
Bryn spent 20 years in Corporate America as a passionate leader of high-performing teams and endless multi-million dollar projects at powerhouses like Monster.com and MetLife.
One of her many secrets for success? Her ability to take complicated, often impossibly overwhelming information, and quickly make it simple and fun.
And if you really want to have some fun- just discuss networking, business building, social media, coffee and Post-It notes with her... she'll talk your ear off!
Join Bryn’s popular (and free) monthly Q&A virtual Coffee Break http://www.brynjohnson.com/CoffeeBreak/
