Networking can be viewed as a game, and when professionals know the rules and the objective of the game, winning is a cinch! There are many details that are associated with networking and being able to evaluate your character, strengths and weakness will be very instrumental in how you can achieve your networking goals and objectives.

In this unique article, we want to take a look at networking from the characteristic or profile of the professional. This will be a new series of articles which identify various networking personalities.

The Politician

Many professionals fall into the category of the networking personality of The Politician. According to the dictionary term, a politician (from Greek "polis") is an individual who is involved in influencing public decision making through the influence of politics or a person who influences the way a society is governed through an understanding of political power and group dynamics. He or she is also skilled or involved in the administration of government.

In networking, The Politician is the well known, visibly seen and a well connected networker. They are highly involved in every aspect of the group, organization or company. You are expected to find them at every function mixing and mingling and passing out their business cards. They are usually in the forefront and have many leadership positions. They are focused on their agenda, doing business and following up with members and guest of every function.

The Politician is very active and comes prepared of any and all networking events. They already know their mission and purpose and usually meet their networking goals and objectives. They are constantly striving to expand and develop professionally and socially.

Although The Politician is an ideal network, they tend to fall short in certain areas. The Politician, unfortunately, tends to be more focused on their agendas and can monopolize a conversation, meeting or gathering. They may be responsive to helping others but must see a benefit for themselves. The Politician can be aggressive in meeting and developing relationships for the purpose meeting immediate and not long term needs. The Politician has high and low seasons of networking and does not always remain consistent. They may tend to network more when sales are low, if they are looking for a specific client or looking for a new business venture.

The Politician should focus on developing strong business relationships that benefit both parties. He or she should also stay consistent in their endeavors of following up and showing interest in business counterparts agendas. The Politician should also use their elevated status and visibility to promote others.

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The concept of the Mastermind Group was formally introduced by Napoleon Hill in the early 1900's. In his timeless classic, "Think And Grow Rich" he wrote about the Mastermind principle as:

"The coordination of knowledge and effort of two or more people, who work toward a definite purpose, in the spirit of harmony."

Want to take your business to the next level? Then a mastermind group could be your ticket. One of the best ways to get on-going coaching with a group of like minded individuals, professionals and small business owners.

You can start out sharing an issue, success or breakthrough and this can be a personal or business example. The group can also focus on an area where members may need support. The Mastermind Group's purpose is to be there and to keep the group focused, motivated and inspired.

Sometimes it helps to bring topics to discuss and share with others. All members should be able to bring something to the table in the way of expertise.

Make sure your Mastermind Group has a purpose because some mastermind Groups meet for various reasons. Some meet as a support group, as a networking group or as some secret member group. Be very clear on what you're trying to accomplish. The more specific you are, the more productive you'll be.

The best part of Mastermind Groups is that participants challenge each other to create and implement goals, ideas, and support each other.

Knowing that there is a group of professionals who make a bid deal about when a member have a success, or a solution when a member is struggling, or who help a member sort things out when feeling overwhelmed means so much to the group. Most members are sure that they would not be as close to reaching so many their goals without this group.


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There are different faces and levels of networking. Whether you are a beginner or veteran, networking has its challenges and its ups and downs. One way to be an effective and successful networker is to be a member of a local or national chamber of commerce within your city or community. Chambers of Commerce attract many businesses and have the support to organize a good model for business and social networking events for their hundreds or thousands of members. But for many professionals, networking on such a large scale can be difficult or hard to achieve their networking goals and endeavors. How can professionals take advantage of large networking events and meeting? How can professionals connect with the right people and make their networking experiences valuable? How can professionals choose the right events that will benefit their goals and objectives for professional and social success?

Listed below are helpful tips on how professionals can overcome minor networking dilemmas for networking super success!

Get a Heads Up

If you are attending a networking event that will attract a large crowd, do research on the organization or company hosting the event. Go onto their website and find out who are their major sponsors and contributors. Learn about the demographics of those companies and their target audiences. This will be able to give professionals some insight on who will be attending the event and what type of networking they are looking for and how they would like to connect. Another good idea is to call the company or organization hosting the event and ask them questions about who will be in attendance for the event.

Get Ready

Many professionals fall short of their networking endeavors because they are not properly prepared for their chance networking encounters. Professionals are encourage to arrive to events early or on time with plenty of business cards and a memorized 30 second speech. Professionals should also dress appropriately for the event and reduce the time they spend on their electronics while at the networking event. Professionals should also make it a point to actively reach out to those at the networking event and introduce themselves to people. Making connections and getting business cards, and following up in a timely manner are also important steps. While networking and meeting people, professionals should listen closely to their business counterparts and ask for friendly introductions of people whom they would like to meet.

Serial Networker

Many professionals do not find the desired success in their networking endeavors because they are not consistent in attending networking events. If a particular group or organization hosts monthly or quarterly events, make it a point to attend as many as you can. The more events you attend the more people you are able to meet and the more comfortable you are in those networking environments. You have the opportunity to become a familiar and recognizable face which will make it easier for you to meet people and build relationships and maneuver your way through the organization.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chi_Chi_Okezie

Many network marketers struggle with an inability to see people get started. It seems like their conversations ramble on with no ending in site. They spend a lot of time explaining their products, talking about the company, and how great the opportunity is, but for some reason, networkers often stay stuck in this endless question and answer phase. If you want to move your business forward, you’ll have to learn how to help people get started.

3 Tips for Helping Your Prospect Get Started

1) Ask Them If They Are Ready to Get Started – Did you catch that? It’s not complicated, but it’s effective. Let’s say your prospect’s name is Bob. Just ask, “Bob are you ready to get started”? Then Bob will answer. In Sales terms this is called ‘Closing’. You’re trying to come to closure. Bob has looked at your website, gotten on a conference call, or talked with your up-line sponsor. You’re just asking, if he ready to get started.

2) Shut Up – This is where you close your lips and you stop talking. Whenever you ask a closing question, you need to stop talking. There’s an expression about this. Whoever talks first after you ask a closing question, that person looses. Ask them if they are ready, and then hit your mute button. Just let them take a moment and decide.

3) Respond – If he answers “Yes”, sign him up. Don’t talk about golf, your kids, or why he said yes. Just get him enrolled. If he says “No”, ask him why. You could say something like “No problem Bob. May I ask why you say that?” Then Bob will tell you. He’ll tell you he needs more information, he’s not interested, or he’s completely broke. Just respond respectfully, and appropriately. If he needs more information, say OK, and get him what he asks for. If he’s not interested, I personally wouldn’t chase him. I only want to work with interested people.

To be successful in network marketing you have to be able to get people started. It’s usually just a matter of asking them, and getting an answer. Sometimes people don’t want to ask because they’re afraid that they will get a ‘No’. Sometimes ‘No’ means they need more information, sometimes it means they’re not interested. Just ask them which it is, and you’ll be able to respond. If someone’s not interested you don’t want to waste their time or yours, so don’t be afraid to move on. If you’re afraid to get a ‘No’, it’s usually because you don’t have enough interested people to talk to. If that’s the case, then you need to get a system in place for attracting highly interested prospects to talk to.

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Network Marketing is often portrayed as an easy way to make extra income simply by referring a few people. But anyone building a real network marketing business knows that it takes a lot more to be successful in their business. The traditional ways of building a network marketing business have a fundamental problem that most people aren’t able to work through. See why below…

Traditional Ways to Build a Network Marketing Business
• Make a Names List (friends, family, everyone you know)
• Do 3-Way Calls w/Your Upline to Try to Generate Some Interest
• Hand out printed materials, CDs, DVDs, conference call numbers, websites, etc…
• When you start getting desperate put flyers on cars
• When you get really desperate you start scaring total strangers by asking penetrating questions about how happy they are with their current lifestyle

These things can actually work, if you go through extremely large numbers to make them work. It’s a fact that I’m not disputing. But this way of building a business is really hard. I don’t know about you, but I don’t personally want to try to talk anybody into anything.

Question: Why do you have to do so much personal development in network marketing?
• Maybe you don’t want to call your entire social network to pitch a business
• Maybe it’s because your friends won’t talk to you anymore
• Maybe you don’t want to put flyers on cars
• Maybe you don’t like approaching total strangers, or cold calling questionable lead sources.

Does anyone feel like saying - “Well, Duh”! You have to become “10 foot tall and bullet proof” because the traditional ways of building a Network Marketing business are really an aggressive form of selling that no one likes. That’s why you have to motivate yourself so much.

The problem with traditional network marketing is that you are trying to sell to people who aren’t interested, and uplines have the nerve to call it ‘Sharing’. It takes a lot of personal development to handle all of that. That’s why you have to get training in handling objections, overcoming fear, and dealing with rejection, because you’re trying to work with people WHO ARE NOT INTERESTED!

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Is network marketing a simple business where you just share your company’s products with a few of your friends and family, or is it really a full on sales business? This question is very heatedly discussed among network marketers, and this article will surely create a host of fiery emails from some who read this. Is it Sales or Sharing?

2 Questions To Help You Decide If Network Marketing Is Selling Or Sharing.

What Is Sharing?

When you share something, you typically have nothing to gain. As a matter of fact, when you share, you usually offer something with nothing in return. Could a person share products they believe is helping them with other people? Sure, it’s very possible. I suppose it’s a question of motive. If you think your company’s products are going to help someone, yes, I would call that sharing. On the other hand, if you’re making up a names list and calling people to tell them about your products or your business opportunity, then that’s probably not sharing. It’s not wrong, it’s just not sharing.

What Is Selling?

Selling is where goods and services are exchanged for something of value (usually money). Selling is an honorable profession. It’s a great thing to be able to persuade people to buy into your idea or product. It means you have influence with people! What makes it honorable is that you can help interested people solve their problems.

If you’re calling your friends and family to talk with them about your company or products, in the hope that they will buy into your program, then that is selling to. It’s actually a fairly aggressive form of selling, because that person never asked for your information or sales talk. It can be uncomfortable for both the seller, and the person being sold to. It doesn’t mean that it’s wrong, it’s just aggressive.

Many of us have experienced these tactics where selling was done in a bad way. Just the other day, my friend had it happen to him. He’s putting together a public works project to help abandoned children be able to turn their lives around, and he’s looking for investors to help fund the project. He was approach by a “millionaire investor” who was said he wanted to help my friend raise money for the project. To make a long story short, my friend met with this “investor” and the man starts drawing circles on a little white board, telling him how he can make a bazillion dollars with CompanyXYZ.

And then my friend realizes that he’s in a presentation to join a network marketing company. Can you imagine how angry my friend was? You better believe it. That wasn’t merely an aggressive form of selling. It was dishonest, and that’s not going to work for most people.

So What Is The Point?

1) Don’t resort to aggressive forms of selling that are dishonest. No one likes it, and you shouldn’t do it. It’s not honest. Don’t trick people.

2) If you sell your products to your friends and family it’s ok. Just tell them what you’re doing up front. Ask their permission first. Say something like “Hey Bob, I think I’ve found something that I think could help you. Would you be open to looking this over”? And then give room for Bob to say “No”. Believe me; you don’t want to drag anyone into this thing.

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SLEIGHT of hand is what makes magic acts so confounding. Your eye is betrayed by tricks that seem to defy all we know about physics. Yet they are so effective we have no choice but to suspend our disbelief.

There is magic of a similar kind wrought by the skills of garden designers. It's the technique of creating visual space where none exists. This ability to trick you into believing there is more there than meets the eye is called trompe l'oiel, the French term for "fool the eye."

The traditional and most common example of trompe l'oiel is the art of trellage. This arrangement produces trellis systems, which use an artist's forced perspective to make it appear as though there is greater depth. This works exactly the way an artist does with a painting. While this geometric system of lines on a contrasting background can be effective, it doesn't work well outside formalized landscapes.

There is a simpler way to achieve this sense of artificial space that's cheaper and adapts to virtually all garden styles. It solves many problems unique to small-space outdoor living or urban postage- stamp gardens bounded by oppressive walls.

Imagine if you could borrow some real estate to create a whole new garden room to look into.

As you sit in a tiny patio, a window on another world could change the entire sense of place. The technique to create such magic: exploit reflection with mirrors.

With tiny stitches like a quilt,
invisible to the naked eye
but infinite in number,
the net is woven

silently
it winds round you,
this unseen web of prayer;
a gossamer circle,
its strands shining and strong.

Spun
as with the quilt,
by many anonymous hands,
a gift of strangers

to buoy you.
lift you up
above the abyss
of pain and desolation.

Rest easy n your silken net:
You are not alone.

THEY call it counter-intuitive because thinking of garden tulips during an August heat wave is just weird. Yet this out-of-season mania afflicts good gardeners everywhere who know how far in advance you must plan for a spring tulip show that fires up the neighborhood.

There is no instant gratification here, however. Once a tulip bulb is planted there may be six months of winter before you see the flower. This disconnect is the reason so many gardens lack early spring color.

The key to success is to plan your spring garden using tulip varieties you truly love, not just what's available at local garden centers. Rarely are the unusual ones found there. To create super- bold effects in the garden you need a lot of bulbs too. The solution to maximize variety and bulk discounts is to order by mail.

Now you have the choice of either print or online catalogs that are just a few clicks away. It's more convenient to shop at home on the computer where you can compare prices and availability.

While in Holland this year, I found a handful of unique tulips. They are multicolored beauties with exotic shapes that transcend what we know of these flowers.

It's not natural to equate tulips with ultra-modern garden design, but that's about to change. In one garden center, Apricot Parrot tulips were allowed to flop in sleek cylindrical silvery pots. Yes, flop. They spilled over the edge like abstract art, with sinuous lines contrasting strikingly against the rigid containers. This, modern garden lovers, is a look to die for.

Sheltered in a woodland setting surrounded by bronze foliage plants and nearly black tulips were iridescent red Rococos. These almost masculine looking flowers feature feathering and scalloped edges to create a most elegant pod. When opened they barely resemble a tulip at all, displaying even more exotic patterning on the inside petals.

Massed in a bright and sunny cottage garden was another eye- catching form that took my breath away. Green Wave features vivid pink petal edges spread out from a green flame-like center with the color blend varying every millimeter of the way. When sprinkled into casual cottage gardens or drifted in small masses they are an exquisite early spring kiss of beauty.

What's hot with famous bulb garden designers this year is candy cane red stripes on a white background. Marilyn is proving to be the standout performer. Augmented by the rarer Flaming Spring Green and similarly colored parrots or Rembrandts, this theme is bright, cheerful and exceptional en masse.

It's easy to shop online today so there's no delay in your planning process. Online catalogs allow you to hunt by color or group and can be a lot easier to negotiate for some Web savvy users.

AFEW years ago, I planted 48 quart-sized autumn ferns, one at a time, never leaving my hands and knees ... because I couldn't. My back hurt so bad I couldn't stand up, but I was determined to get those ferns in the ground by gosh, no matter how bad it hurt!

Lately, I've caught myself taking more time than usual to analyze the easiest plan of attack as I take on a new landscaping or gardening project. I'd like to think it's maturity, but I know better -- I now find myself seeking the path of less resistance.

Oh, it pains me to even write those words but as a wise soul told me, recognizing the problem is the first step to finding a solution. Do I really consider my reduced flexibility, aching back and noisy joints a problem? All right, yes, yes and yes.

It's actually quite amazing to realize how many people are limited in some way by their lack of mobility or functionality. According to The Medical College of Wisconsin, more than 40 million Americans live with some form of arthritis -- and not just seniors. The Arthritis Foundation reports that this includes 8.4 million young adults between the ages of 18-44.

Thankfully more companies are designing products that make spending time in the garden more productive, enjoyable and pain- free as well. Here are just a few ideas:

-Pruners and loppers: One important task in the garden is pruning. When the occasional snip turns into an all-out project, muscles and joints in the hand suffer.

But through thoughtful engineering, design features such as rotating handles that roll as you squeeze, extra-sharp coated blades that reduce friction and balanced gears, all combine to reduce the force, fatigue and load imposed on our hands and bodies.

Fiskars (www.fiskars.com) is one company that utilized innovations like these to develop pruning and cutting tools in their PowerGear series.

In 2004, these tools were awarded the Arthritis Foundation Ease- of-Use Commendation and the only garden tools in the United States to carry this award.

-Ergonomic hand tools for the dirt: Radius Garden (www.radiusgarden.com) is one company that develops gardening tools to make gardening easier. Currently, they offer two trowels, a weeder and cultivator in their Natural Radius Grip hand tool line.

These may be the most non-traditional, traditional tools you'll ever see. Each features a bright green, uniquely arched handle, designed to encourage a neutral wrist position.

Their tool design uses the most current research into human factors and tool usage to maximize power while minimizing hand and wrist stress.

-Multi-purpose bench: Ergonomic cutting and digging tools are great but do little to help an aching back. A multi-purpose portable bench may be the solution.

The flat padded surface allows you to comfortably work from a kneeling position and when you're ready to stand up; the sturdy handles provide the support. Flip it over and you have a padded bench.

These handy benches are readily available for around $35. They're strong, lightweight and fold flat when not in use.

-Self-winding hose reels: One of the ongoing struggles in my garden is winding up the hose each time after use. It's tempting to let the big snake lie whereever. Hose reels provide an easier way to retract and store them, but you're still utilizing a lot of effort.