Now that Tax Season is Over, What’s Next? Time to Plan a Tax Strategy for Next Year - Elmsford, NY

Although tax season is over, you may have questions about your taxes or you may want to learn ways to avoid tax penalties and new strategies to reduce your tax liability for next year.

Attend Westchester Networking for Professionals Business Lunch & Learn Networking Event on Thursday, May 17, 2018 at 12:00 pm in Elmsford, NY.

You'll have an opportunity introduce your business to local professionals while enjoying lunch and getting some advice from our guest speaker on the topic of “Tax Planning for Your Small Business”.

Registration is now available online at a discount ticket rate, paying at the door will be more.

Interested? Click the link below for event and registration information.  05/17 Lunch & Learn Event 

Unable to attend, feel free to share the invite with others.




ABOUT WNFP

Westchester Networking for Professionals (WNFP) is a business organization focused on providing our members and guests with an extraordinary networking experience, bringing business professionals together for the sole purpose of generating new relationships and developing new business opportunities. Not a member, learn how you can become a member and join this awesome group of professionals to connect and grow your business.

Stay Connected with WNFP!

10 Ways to Immediately Improve Your Listening (and Networking) Skills

Most of us move through each day engaging in conversations with friends, co-workers, and family members. But the majority of the time, we aren't listening.

We're often distracted by things in our environment--both external things like televisions, cell phones, cars, and other people talking, and internal things like our own thoughts and feelings.

We think that we're listening to the other person, but we're really not giving them our full and complete attention.

As a licensed therapist and coach, one of the most important things I do for clients is deeply listen to what they're saying. When you deeply listen with your whole body and mind to what another person is communicating, it helps them feel understood and valued.

One technique that therapists learn in graduate school that aims to provide full and complete attention to the speaker is called active listening.

Active listening builds rapport, understanding, and trust. It's a proven psychological technique that helps therapists create a safe, comfortable atmosphere that encourages clients to discuss important thoughts and feelings.

Active listening involves fully concentrating on what is being said rather than passively absorbing what someone is saying. It's not just about remembering the content of what someone is sharing, but actively seeking to understand the complete message--including the emotional tones--being conveyed.

This type of listening involves participating in the other person's world and being connected to what the other person is experiencing.

That's a lot of information--much more than you're used to consciously interpreting in daily conversations. And that's because many things get in the way of active listening.

People often are selective listeners, meaning that they focus on a few key words and ignore the rest of the person's communication. They're often distracted by external stimuli like random sounds or movements, and internal stimuli such as one's own thoughts and feelings.

In other situations, individuals allow their own biases and values to pick arguments with the other person's speech rather than remaining focused on their message. They waste valuable time and energy preparing to respond rather than giving their full, undivided attention to the speech.

With all of these challenging layers to active listening, how does one improve these skills?

Read the list below to discover how to become a better listener, and in doing so, become better at navigating relationships and networking opportunities.

1. Avoid internal and external distractions.

Focus on what they're saying. Don't allow other thoughts or sounds to sway your concentration.

2. Listen to the content of their speech.

Focus on the specific words they're using. Each phrase and word choice is something interesting that you should be taking in.

3. Listen to the context of their speech.

What are the over-arching stories and circumstances they are discussing? Are there common themes? What are the unique situations this person finds themselves in and how does that relate to what they're telling you?

4. Listen to tone of their voice.

Vocal tones convey a lot about what a person might be feeling. Think about what their vocal tone implies about their feelings. All feelings have a story--learn theirs.

5. Listen for the emotions the speaker is likely experiencing.

The more that you follow and amplify the person's emotions, the more likely they are to feel understood. With so many people uncomfortable about sharing their feelings, moments of vulnerability can quickly build a deeper connection.

6. Pay attention to their body language and make appropriate eye contact.

With much of communication being non-verbal, it's incredibly important that you soak in as much information as possible while also showing them--physically--that you are sharing in their experience.

7. Provide small verbal encouragements and don't fight silences.

Saying small things like, "yes," "right," "that makes sense," and allowing natural silences to occur without filling them due to your own discomfort go a long way in building rapport.

8. Ask open-ended questions to encourage elaboration.

There's no substitute for a good question--try to get lengthy responses to understand the big-picture.

9. If you need them to slow down or want specific info, ask close-ended questions.

Questions that can be answered in yes or no slow down the pace when you're feeling overwhelmed and also allow you to gather important details that you missed earlier.

10. Offer affirmations that the person has made valuable and important choices.

Affirmations are like compliments--everyone likes them. Instead of saying, "I'm proud of you," like a compliment, an affirmation focuses on the other person, "You should be proud of your hard work."

Start practicing these basic listening skills. They are simple, yet powerful ways to facilitate conversation and help others feel understood. 

Source: https://www.inc.com/
Image Credit: Getty Images


ABOUT WNFP
Westchester Networking for Professionals (WNFP) is a business organization focused on providing our members and guests with an extraordinary networking experience, bringing business professionals together for the sole purpose of generating new relationships and developing new business opportunities. Not a member, learn how you can become a member and join this awesome group of professionals to connect and grow your business.

Stay Connected with WNFP!

Attend a Business After Hours Networking Event in White Plains, New York

Join Westchester Networking for Professionals for a Business After Hours Networking Event at L.K. Bennett in The Westchester in White Plains, NY with local business professionals. Come out to unwind and explore the fashions of L.K. Bennett, while enjoying complimentary wine, non-alcoholic beverages and lite bites. You will be treated to a 10-15 minute presentation from our guest speaker, who will share advice, information and inspiration with guests.

Open to all professionals! Invite a friend or colleague; and bring plenty of business cards!

REGISTER HERE!

ABOUT WNFP

Westchester Networking for Professionals (WNFP) is a business organization focused on providing our members and guests with an extraordinary networking experience, bringing business professionals together for the sole purpose of generating new relationships and developing new business opportunities. Not a member, learn how you can become a member and join this awesome group of professionals to connect and grow your business.

Stay Connected with WNFP!

Effective Networking Requires Work. How To Make The Most Of Every Event.

 Throughout my years, I have found that networking is an effective tool that can be used to build a business. Through my own trial and error, I have identified what methods work consistently for any networking event.

People are people

As a rule people tend to be reserved, and more often than not, a bit shy. For most people it is hard to enter a room full of strangers and engage them. It is those that can pull the veil of privacy down just a little who find the best results in a networking situation.

Rules to follow

To effectively network, you must do a little upfront homework. This is part of your job, so treat it as such. Done right, networking is work. Here are some of the basics to create an event that will provide value to you.

    1.    Look in your area for events where there might be benefit for your company, or to you as a person. In cities large and small, events happen on a weekly basis. In an average month I get invited to dozens of events, and read about dozens of others. With this huge barrage of possibilities, you need to focus on your business goals, and attend the events that support those goals.

    2.    Identify your networking goals. If you go to an event without at least a loose set of goals, you are not going to benefit much. Sure, you might grab a bite of the standard event fare and a beer, but you will have wasted what could have been a major opportunity.  Some examples of goals might include: make contact with a potential partner or customer, or find out what makes the completion tick. Whatever your specific needs are, review and list the top objectives of the event.

    3.    Prepare for the event. Why go if your event isn't going to advance your business agenda or meet your identified goals?   Plan. This means learn not only about the event, but those who regularly attend the event. Review the event website, LinkedIn and industry sites. Look for reviews of any past events. If they are available, sign up for newsletters connected with the event.

    4.    Do some online "pre-networking". Reach out to a few people you know that may have attended the event. Get familiar with the LinkedIn profiles of those you have found who have attended in the past. Try to connect to a couple potential contacts with a LinkedIn message letting them know you will be attending the event and would like to meet. This will give them the opportunity to get familiar with you through your profile. It also helps them to start thinking about how you might find similar interests or make introductions.

    5.    Identify your top three targets. Target contacts are the people that you absolutely want to meet while attending. Familiarize yourself with your targets through available profiles, news items or other information. Get familiar with any photo of targets so that you can quickly identify them in a crowded room.

Westchester Networking for Professionals

On day of event:

    1.    Grab a hand full of business cards. A small amount of cards is all that is needed. If you are moving person-to-person handing out cards at the event, you are wasting your time and money. Focus on finding the people that will make a real impact towards your goals, starting with your preselected targets.

    2.    Show up a few minutes late – yes, late! Why? Well, if you arrive early you will end up getting cornered by a person or group that will take too much of your time. If you arrive a bit late, not only are early arrivals already engaged, more people have arrived, so you will be more likely to be able to mingle and find the people you had set as targets for meeting.
  
    3.    When you arrive, scan the room. Look for your target contacts first. Plan your movements and path so as to not get caught by unnecessary distractions. Take note of non-verbal cues when moving around the room. Remember, you are there with specific goals. Focus your networking on those goals.
   
    4.    Make the connection. Your target contacts are likely to be involved in conversations. Work your way over and do the "three-point stand”. This move is basically positioning yourself to form a triangle and attempt to engage both people (as long as it is not a personal conversation).  Make eye contact with your target. If your presence would place more than three people in the stand, move on. 

Too many people to be effective and you might get lost in the crowd.   It is likely your three-point stand will cause the person you are not interested in speaking with to complete their conversation and move on. If that doesn't work or feels awkward, quickly abort and wait for the two to finish their conversation, then reengage with the target.

    5.    Make your initial contact brief and work for a follow-up meet. It is important to not try to close a sale in a networking event unless the target leads you there. What you want to do is to engage, make a positive impression, provide a "teaser", and get the date. If you are networking correctly, you will be asked a couple questions, and this is where you simply exchange business cards.

Tell your target that you would love to get a cup of coffee or meet at the office and chat a little more. Make the second date right then if you can. Then move on. Don't linger. Move away from the target. Look for your next target and do it all over again.

Always be prepared to give. Maybe the only thing you can do for your target is to offer a connection. Do it. The mileage gained from providing a good connection will be better than you might expect, and for me has always paid back with dividends.

     6.    Beware the "friend". Stay away from those who are looking to chat you up. Now, if they are one of your targets, they might have targeted you - Bingo! However, that is the exception to the rule and not very likely.

If you run into personal or business friends, say hi but quickly move on. You can chat anytime.

Always be working your targets. At every event the “lonely attendee” will stop you. These are the people that look at a networking event to socialize rather than do real business. Be polite, but keep moving. Take no more than 30 seconds, and if possible introduce them to someone standing nearby, then politely move on.

    7.    Targets acquired and met, look for new contacts. When you have met your target contacts you can spend a little time making new acquaintances and seeing if there are any potential collaborations. If the house is dry on potential collaborations excuse yourself and head out. It’s okay to leave early.

8.    It’s always best not to be the person that is overly available. Scarcity makes people more interested in meeting and working with you.

If you gathered a bunch of business cards, take time to capture the key interests on the card right away. It might be a personal item or a business need. If you jot the information down now, you will look like a hero later.

After the event:

The closing step is the follow-up. This is where over 99% of network attendees fail. They go, they chat, they leave and they don’t use that valuable business card.
 
Long term value, zero.

You must close your work. With the information you received at the event, you should go back and research. Your next meeting must have solutions or offers available that will make the people you targeted want to learn more and buy your offer. Call the targets and get a meeting.





Source: http://www.forbes.com  
Image Credit: Getty Images
 
ABOUT WNFP
Westchester Networking for Professionals (WNFP) is a business organization focused on providing our members and guests with an extraordinary networking experience, bringing business professionals together for the sole purpose of generating new relationships and developing new business opportunities. Not a member, learn how you can become a member and join this awesome group of professionals to connect and grow your business.

Stay Connected with WNFP!

Want to Get Better at Networking? Think Smaller.

To expand their professional networks, entrepreneurs are seeking smaller and smaller crowds.  

In 2008, Sol Orwell, the co-founder of the nutrition company Examine.com, was at a loss. He was attending a big digital marketing conference in Seattle, hoping to expand his network, but the event was so packed that he didn't know where to start. His friend had no such hesitation. He told Orwell he was going to "meet some friends." Twenty minutes later, he returned holding a stack of 40 business cards. "At the time, I was blown away," recalls Orwell, who thought his friend was a networking genius. "But now I think, Did he do anything more than have short conversations?"

Today Orwell has a much different idea of successful networking. He still attends at least one large conference a year, but that's not how he builds his relationships. Instead, he hosts monthly dinners of six to 12 entrepreneurs, where conversations might jump from business to culinary trends to travel hot spots. And every Friday, he parks himself at a coffee shop in his hometown of Toronto and invites local entrepreneurs to join him for leisurely conversations.

Orwell is not alone in questioning the conventional approaches to networking. Because frankly, those approaches -- abetted by technology and hype -- don't work that well. The rise of social media and digital communication means your entrepreneurial hero is just a tweet or an email away, but it also means successful entrepreneurs are bombarded by so many networking requests that they delete most of them on sight. And the boom in massive, circus-like conferences makes it easier than ever to harvest large numbers of business cards, but the sheer numbers of attendees make forming real connections harder.

As a result, in the past decade, small-scale, invite-only events for entrepreneurs -- from monthly dinner salons of fewer than a dozen people to upscale weekend retreats that cap out at 150 guests -- have begun to redefine the networking landscape. Entrepreneurs are willing to spend anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000 for access to smart, like-minded people who are also in search of reciprocal, long-lasting relationships. As Orwell explains, these conferences and retreats are "a lot more welcoming" than the huge conventions. "There won't be wantrepreneurs, but people you can have actual conversations with," he says.

Shane Parrish, whose productivity and decision-making newsletter, Farnam Street, has a devoted following of more than 100,000 subscribers, was one of those business people frustrated by the state of networking. (He estimates he personally gets 300 networking requests a month.) So in 2014, he started offering annual three-day workshops. These events, which cost about $2,300, are open to the public but are strictly capped at 50 people. Even just a few more, Parrish says, makes it harder for attendees to break out of their comfort zones. When they do break out, he says, the payoff is significant. "Everyone is struggling through similar problems, but they're smart and they're not your friends, so they're not telling you what you want to hear," he says. "You can grow a ton."

 

Westchester Networking for Professionals

Parrish also hosts much smaller and costlier retreats for 10 to 15 people in places like Hawaii and Paris, in which each participant has one hour to troubleshoot some problem -- be it personal or business-related -- with the group. "To me, that's real networking," Parrish says. "You're getting to understand people and their context so you can help them achieve their goals."

"Everyone is struggling through similar problems, but they're smart, and they're not your friends, so they're not telling you what you want to hear," says one organizer. "You can grow a ton."

The organizers behind these sorts of small-scale conferences say the ideas exchanged from this casual back-and-forth are a lot more useful than the promised "content" that many large conferences advertise. "You don't get value from big-name speakers," says Jayson Gaignard, the founder of MastermindTalks, an invite-only community for entrepreneurs, which includes an annual three-day conference of roughly 150 people. If you want to sit there as someone talks at you, Gaignard says, you can "listen to a podcast on the way to the gym."

MastermindTalks has become famous for its exclusivity ("a lower acceptance rate than Harvard" boasts Gaignard's LinkedIn profile) and price tag (about $10,000), and so participants have come to expect at least some access to the superstars of their profession. Gary Vaynerchuk, James Altucher and Damien Escobar have all attended, but their appearances -- unannounced until the last minute -- feel impromptu and informal. As Gaignard explains, standing around and drinking beers while peppering Vaynerchuk, the marketing guru, with questions is a much different experience than listening to him give a talk from a podium.

James Clear, who pens a popular newsletter on human potential and runs eight-person retreats in destinations like Sedona, Ariz. and Breckenridge, Colo., eschews big names altogether. "I want people to feel like they're with peers," he says. Clear organizes his retreats around a specific theme or profession and is highly selective in terms of the people he invites.

Referrals, it seems, are how most people gain access to these events. And how do they get referred? Orwell says this happens by building relationships, over time, with people who either lead these retreats or have attended them. "People just try to rush everything," he says. "They try to befriend everyone. Instead, follow the people you really find interesting, and that will naturally let you have conversations with them." Once you've formed a genuine bond with someone who is connected, he says, you're more likely to be referred.

It's a chicken-and-egg problem, to be sure: You need to connect to the right people in order to be invited to a conference that will help you connect to the right people. But because these events tend to be very small, hosts say they have to be very particular about whom they invite in order to ensure a positive experience. "If there are 100 people and there's one annoying person, you can move on," Clear says. "But in a retreat for three or four days with eight people, one person can really ruin the chemistry." Therefore, he invites only people he has met in person or with whom he has had multiple Skype calls.

Gaignard is even more methodical. When considering new invitees -- again, usually through referrals -- he either meets with them personally or has a 30-minute "triage" call, in which he "gathers intel" about the individual and subscribes to "all updates" on every member's Facebook feed, which he says "helps me keep a pulse on anything and everything about them." Once accepted, attendees fill out two intake forms totaling 80 questions. These strategies help Gaignard connect people with overlapping strengths and needs. "If you're having trouble with culture in your business and there's someone who's really killing it with culture, I'll seat them next to you," he says.

For the most part, event hosts say their guests come not to promote themselves but to share their expertise and learn something in return. Yes, there's a professional ROI; attendees might partner in new projects, pass along contacts and cross-promote each other's work. But they are also filling an existential need. "Entrepreneurship by definition is a lonely venture," says Clear. "It makes sense that these conferences would be popping up in this space." Or as Gaignard explains it, "Ways to connect are abundant; community is scarce."





Source: https://www.entrepreneur.com
Image Credit: Andrea Ucini

 
ABOUT WNFP
Westchester Networking for Professionals (WNFP) is a business organization focused on providing our members and guests with an extraordinary networking experience, bringing business professionals together for the sole purpose of generating new relationships and developing new business opportunities. Not a member, learn how you can become a member and join this awesome group of professionals to connect and grow your business.

Stay Connected with WNFP!

Hate Networking? Stop Doing It Wrong

How many times have you found yourself in the back room of a swanky uptown restaurant, readjusting your Sharpied-on name tag sticker and furtively glancing around the room looking for someone--anyone--who looks even vaguely familiar?

Maybe you pull out your pocket comfort device and start scrolling the time away; Maybe you slip out early with an exhale of relief. Even if you consider yourself an extravert who can deliver a killer elevator pitch, networking events can feel like they're eroding the last brittle piece of your soul.

When I first struck out on my own, I knew I needed to expand my circle, and fast. Beyond that, I needed to do so in a different state: I'm from Arizona. And in 2009--if you wanted to be in tech--you wanted to be in California.

There are few things more daunting than walking into a strange room, in a strange state and speed dating your way to a healthy LinkedIn profile. The fact is, no one can succeed at business alone.

Who you know in this world is even more important than the ideas you have, and building your network of peers, media outlets and potential partners is vital. Still, the act of 'networking' turns so many people off -- here's what got me through it.

Have a plan

Start valuing the quality of your connections and focus on making introductions that matter. Make a list of people who would have value to you, but more importantly, that you can also add value to, and plan your attendance where they will be. Advice I read is to "get out there and shake as many hands as possible," which to me is as pointless as sending out as many cold emails as possible.

There has to be an element of trust in the room already or else these cold handshakes will just be limp attempts to force a relationship. I chose to start going to software user groups as I could help them for free, in a controlled setting and ultimately they made up the audience I was trying to sell into. After the first event I attended I walked away with three customers and a critical partner.

Birds of a Feather

But alright, I'll acquiesce that you sometimes have to put yourself in the uncomfortable position of rubbing elbows where you simply don't know the attendee list.
The key is to make absolutely sure you're attending the right event. Would you potentially make more valuable connections at a large gala where you're wined and dined, or at a small roundtable with five leaders in the same position as you? No matter your seniority or status, your goals when networking should be focused on mentoring and learning. Do not focus on selling!

Create Backchannels

Larger circles always start with a few key connections. Therefore, create relationships based on going the extra mile for those key gatekeepers you meet. Make it your goal to make these connections feel that they are the most important person in the world.

We send physical gifts to connections we want to foster as a way of breaking through. After you have forged the relationship you can leverage that to navigate into other circles. That's why I hate blanket networking events and try not to send my employees to them. If I can turn to one of these relationships and get an introduction made via LinkedIn, that's critical. Nothing is more powerful than a referral because it breaks the trust barrier.

Cheat

Get the attendee list. Even if this is just the list of companies who will be in attendance, use it to lay the groundwork for a successful event. You'd be surprised at how many times reaching out directly to the event leader will yield this info. Just make sure to do it verbally - I marvel at the usage of email in these personal exchanges - pick up the phone and call someone.

If you can't negotiate it from the host, start calling attendees you know to see if they have insight. Ultimately, you're trying to get information you can use to introduce yourself prior in a digital format. When I meet someone for the first time and they don't respond with that familiar exclamation, "Hey! Yeah, we just connected on LinkedIn," then I haven't done my job right.

Go Higher

For C-suiters, treat networking groups like a working social hour. Curate your own small group of five or so executives to meet regularly to sit down with the stated goal of helping each other work through problems. Even if you don't all come from the same industry, you'll see how universal business problems can be.

Time is sensitive, but having a trusted growth advisory board or leadership council that can empathize with similar experiences (and stick to a regular schedule) can do wonders for your organization.

Test the Waters

Despite your best efforts to network the right way and call on friends and acquaintances to make introductions, your employer might burden you with mandatory group attendance. Make the most of it.

Even if it means trying out ten groups or events, keep going until you discover which is the right one for you. If you're not sure where to start, ask your boss what exactly they hope you get out of the experience and what they expect you to bring back, and marry that with your own ideas about what you need for personal growth.

Networking is a necessary evil in today's climate, and a bit of an enigma for many young entrepreneurs and seasoned CEOs who haven't been in practice in a while. Before you curse your next networking event, take a deep breath, stick to your goals and remember, it's all about who you know.

Image Credit: Getty Images
Source: http://www.inc.com

ABOUT WNFP
Westchester Networking for Professionals (WNFP) is a business networking association dedicated to helping small businesses and entrepreneurs develop, expand and grow. We offer affordable opportunities to help create a positive impact and advancement in your business interests and personal quality of life to take you to the next level.
Stay Connected with WNFP!

The Secret to Organic Networking

Networking to expand your network doesn’t work. I’ve tried it. I’ve exchanged thousands of business cards and connected with hundreds more over LinkedIn. But nothing happened…not until I adopted an organic networking approach.

Organic Networking

Connection isn’t arbitrary. In business, in romance, in friendship, people connect over value; that’s how networks start. And they grow in relation to the value shared.


Let’s say you pan for gold and catch a couple flecks. You might connect with a local jeweler or a hobo on the street, but that’s about it. When you dig deep and come up with a thousand bars, however, you’ll have people come out of the woodwork to share your value and to make it grow.

That’s the idea behind organic networking.

Though we don’t have hoards of gold to start our networks, we all have something even more valuable: information that makes life better for others. (Unlike gold, information is inexhaustible.) We all have advice and experience that can help someone excel in their relationships, careers, hobbies or passions.

It might not be much value at first. But if you direct all of your energy into growing that value instead of looking for quick networking breaks, you’ll have an unlimited supply of value with enough time and persistence. With all that personal investment, you’ll be crazy about sharing your value. That’s when your network starts to explode.

My organic networking breakthrough

I started my writing career because I wanted to help people avoid the heartbreak I had experienced. I didn’t know much more than what I had done, and that it had caused me pain. But even that little bit was valuable enough to build a small audience. I got published.

Then I dug deeper into relationships. I wanted to share more value and to make a bigger difference to my audience, and by breaking down my experiences I discovered that I sucked because I didn’t know myself. So I started meditating and journaling and reflecting on anything that could grow my self-knowledge.


I wrote about my insights and transformation every day, and I got better at writing. I got better at storytelling. I got better at giving people value that could enhance their lives.

Then I started getting connections.

Recently, one of my entrepreneurial idols reached out and wanted to hop on the phone. Gerald saw my website and had some points to share on where I could be more effective. I was honored by the call. I listened, thanked him, and was just saying good bye…But he stopped me.

My idol asked me for advice on relationships.

This guy charges thousands and thousands of dollars for consulting and mentoring. But here we were on the phone, talking like we’d known each other forever, joking around and enjoying each other’s company. Our connection was sincere because we both had value that we’d worked hard to share.

Gerald had gotten enough value from my relationship articles on a site called MindBodyGreen that he wanted to talk to me in person. Had it been someone who didn’t have value to share, I would have charged him like I do my coaching clients. But this guy is known for value, so it was my pleasure to share advice with him.
Through our mutual exchange of value, Gerald and I got something even more valuable than any piece of information: we established a genuine connection. The more value we share, the more that connection will grow. I’d take half a Gerald over 10,000 LinkedIn connections.

How you can grow your network organically

Don’t worry about networking until you have insane value that you’re crazy about sharing. Instead, focus your energy on refining your craft, or your service, or your goods. Put that value out for the world to see; get on publications that cater to the audience you want. Then keep at it.


As your value grows you’ll get published on bigger sites, which will get you more exposure, and more opportunities to connect with other people who are sharing value.

Don’t know what your value is?

1. Think about your biggest problem. For me, that was relying on my parents as an adult.

2. Work so hard at solving that problem that you become an expert. I studied writing and personal development until I had what I needed to make money and live on my own. Once you’ve become an expert,

3. Devote your life to mastery. Then you can help thousands of others achieve the same and better results. After I became independent, it felt so good that I wanted to help millions of millennials do the same. So I studied writing with greater diligence. I studied entrepreneurship. I studied the millionaires who were making a difference on a mass scale.

When I dug deep enough for a ton of value, I built a site to bring it to the world.

Within two weeks of launching millennialsuccess.io, I landed the one connection I had sought for two years. I asked the guy for mentorship before, sent him emails, pitched him. Nothing. When I let go and just focused on my value, he came to me and I didn’t have to do a thing. Organic networking in action.

The alternative is to approach people from a point of neediness. You say, “Hey, I’d like to connect.” But really, you just want them to advance your career. Nobody wants that kind of connection. Nobody has time for it, and it’ll make you look like an amateur.

Your time is better spent refining the quality of your product or service.

So dig deep. Go all in on that one passion that you want to make a difference through. Become an expert. Be consistent. Then shoot for mastery. Once you’ve made that thing valuable enough, people will come to you.



Source: https://www.entrepreneur.com
Image Credit: Shutterstock


ABOUT WNFP
Westchester Networking for Professionals (WNFP) is a business networking association dedicated to helping small businesses and entrepreneurs develop, expand and grow. We offer affordable opportunities to help create a positive impact and advancement in your business interests and personal quality of life to take you to the next level.
Stay Connected with WNFP!

3 Tips for Networking Like a Pro from the CEO of Startup Grind

Love them or hate them, networking events can lead to amazing opportunities for entrepreneurs. You could strike up a conversation with your next business partner or shake hands with an investor who’s looking to add a company just like yours to their portfolio.

Of course, those are best case scenarios. Worst case scenarios involve standing in the corner checking your phone, avoiding eye contact with the people

you know you should go talk to, or staring into your cocktail all night—and none of those are going to move your career or company forward.

Derek Andersen, the founder and CEO of Startup Grind, is an expert when it comes to networking events. Since 2010, Startup Grind has hosted 5,000 events in 200 cities and 100 different countries around the world. Andersen has spoken with some of the top minds in tech, and his organization helps one million members become better entrepreneurs.


If you’re making the effort to go out and network at events like Startup Grind but struggling to get much value out of them, then you might benefit from some advice that Andersen shared with me in a recent interview. After all, he knows a thing or two about making the right connections.


Check out his best tips for getting the most value out of any networking event below.

1. Ask, "How Can I Help?"

No one goes to a networking event because they want to be pitched. They go to events because they’re looking for people who can help them with their business or product. Pitching to every person in the room isn’t only obnoxious and unprofessional, it's counterproductive to your own goals and progress.

“What I like to do when I go to these events is just say, ‘How can I help you?’. Instead of sitting down next to somebody and pitching their brains out, listen and try to genuinely help them move their project ahead," Andersen said.

And the more you try to be helpful, the more it will pay off in the long run. "I’ve found that if you do that dozens and hundreds of times, those things will come back around to you,” Andersen said.

As a general rule, Andersen suggests you try to

at every event you attend. Say hello. Ask about their company. Ask what you can do to help, and make an honest effort to do so. Call it karma, or the law of reciprocity, or simply building your reputation as a helpful person—either way, your goodwill won’t go unrewarded.

2. Focus on Building Relationships

A lot of people go to networking events hoping to make “contacts.” That may be the traditional mindset for networking, but it's one that's outdated and sterile. If you're not looking at your new potential contacts as what they are—people—you're missing out on potentially golden relationship opportunities.

If you’re making the effort to go out and network at events like Startup Grind but struggling to get much value out of them, then you might benefit from some advice that Andersen shared with me in a recent interview. After all, he knows a thing or two about making the right connections.

One of Startup Grind’s core values is, “We believe in making friends, not contacts,” and it’s obvious from our conversation that Andersen lives this value.

“Some of my best friends I met at Startup Grind," Andersen said. "And not just me. There’s lots of people like that. That’s probably the thing I’m most proud about, is all these connections in these different cities. The people that run these cities—they’re some of each other’s best friends, and they really look out for each other.”

Want to catch people’s attention and come off as fresh and authentic? Focus on making friends and building authentic relationships. People will be more likely to remember your name, and you’ll give off a much better first impression.

Who knows—you might even create some lifelong friendships.

3. Try to Learn Something from the Speaker

Unless they’re the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, it’s very possible that not every speaker at an event will blow you away with their credentials. Maybe you don’t think they’re accomplished enough or you’ve never heard of their business, so you decide to carry on a more interesting conversation you’re having with another attendee while the speaker gives their presentation.

The impulse to tune out a “boring” speaker is understandable, but it just isn’t smart to throw away that value.

“If you’re going to take the time and energy to go to an event...you better get something out of it,” Andersen said. “There should be strategic reasons to go to events, and it shouldn’t just be to get free food.”

Your goal at networking events should be to pay attention and try to learn at least one new thing. Even if the speaker doesn’t offer direct advice, you can always get new ideas by listening to their story. Does the speaker have unique insights into your industry? Is there something they did to improve their business that you haven’t considered for your own?

If you’re really engaged and thinking about what you’re hearing, it shouldn’t be too difficult to find at least one kernel of wisdom in a speech or presentation that you can apply to your own work.


Although networking events can sometimes seem hit-or-miss, you should have a lot more “hits” if you follow this three tips. According to Andersen, if you walk away from an event having met a few people and learned something useful, you’ll have done a lot more than most of the other attendees.

Source: https://www.forbes.com
Image Credit: Shutterstock


ABOUT WNFP
Westchester Networking for Professionals (WNFP) is a business networking association dedicated to helping small businesses and entrepreneurs develop, expand and grow. We offer affordable opportunities to help create a positive impact and advancement in your business interests and personal quality of life to take you to the next level.
Stay Connected with WNFP!

The Top 10 Behaviors to Avoid When Networking

In this video, Entrepreneur Network partner Ivan Misner goes over the 10 behaviors that you should not exhibit in a networking group.

Sharing your problems and grievances with fellow networkers and guests is not a good idea while meeting and socializing with others in the group. Winging presentations, being late and using your phone are other things to avoid, too.

Networking is key to the success of a company. In fact, a single referral source can bring a chain reaction of new business to your company. That's why it's vital to make your time and efforts worthwhile in networking groups. Success in these groups will happen when the rest of the group members trust enough to open up their best referrals. That's why it's vital to avoid these behaviors and demonstrate professionalism.


To learn more, click play.

Source: https://www.entrepreneur.com


ABOUT WNFP
Westchester Networking for Professionals (WNFP) is a business networking association dedicated to helping small businesses and entrepreneurs develop, expand and grow. We offer affordable opportunities to help create a positive impact and advancement in your business interests and personal quality of life to take you to the next level.
Stay Connected with WNFP!

5 Tips for Stress-Free Networking

Successful entrepreneurs know that networking is not a numbers game. It’s not about how many business cards you pass out or collect. It’s not about how many products you can sell or whom you can instantly impress, exploit or schmooze to get what you want.

Proper networking is a gradual process of making genuine connections with people and cultivating those relationships for the long term. Here are five ways to take the stress out of networking, expand your sphere of influence and form solid, mutually beneficial relationships.

1. Give with no expectations in return.

The most effective networking takes place when you are willing to tithe your social capital. In other words, look for opportunities to be of service to others instead of thinking about how others can meet your needs. Train your ears to hear a problem so you can present a solution.

For example, if a colleague or client mentions that she needs a good painter, you might not know one, but someone in your network probably does. Do a little research and pass along the information. She will remember you and be forever grateful for your kind and unsolicited efforts.

2. Network with one person at a time.

Instead of spending small amounts of time with a lot of people, spend more time with a smaller number of carefully chosen people. You may find it comforting to know that the strength and longevity of your relationships depend more on the quality and far less upon the quantity of your connections.

Stop believing you have to meet everyone in the room. You don’t. At the next networking event, introduce yourself to someone who is sitting alone. More often than not, it’s the short, casual, one-on-one conversations that turn into potential business opportunities.

3. Approach people who are different from you.

It’s natural to gravitate toward people who are just like us, but you do yourself a disservice when you socialize with the same people all the time. Don't be guilty of "clustering." This is when people who know one another get into groups, either sitting or standing, while they pretty much ignore everyone else around them. Staying in familiar territory defeats the purpose of networking so expand your horizons and occasionally break away from those you know or see every day.

4. Share a personal story or two.

Most of us have a habit of launching into business talk too soon, so take time to form a connection that has some substance. The best way to do this is by telling your story or by trying to get others to reveal their stories.

Stories are the most basic tool for connecting us to one another. People attend, remember, and are transformed by stories. Many of us grew up listening to stories passed from generation to generation by our parents or grandparents. Stories have a unique power to move people’s hearts, minds, feet, and wallets in the storyteller’s intended direction. Share a little bit about yourself -- how you became interested in your profession, who inspired you to start your own business, or where you grew up.

5. Listen more than you talk.

As the saying goes, “We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak." Focus more on the other person and less on yourself and you will be perceived as being the most engaging person in the room.

Start out by asking the right questions and then listen to the other person’s response. Some of my favorite questions include: “What do you like to do in your spare time?” and “What motivated you to start your own business?” Most people enjoy talking about themselves, and these kinds of questions prompt people to open up. In time, they might even reveal their background, motivations, philosophy and challenges. Even though you might not agree with everything the person says, all you have to do is be a good listener.

Keep your networking efforts simple. Become interested in others, find out what matters to them, and then center your conversations on their interests and priorities. When you are genuine and sincere, your network (and eventually your net worth) will organically grow.

Source: https://www.entrepreneur.com

Image Credit: Compassionate Eye Foundation/John Wildgoose | Getty Images

ABOUT WNFP
Westchester Networking for Professionals (WNFP) is a business networking association dedicated to helping small businesses and entrepreneurs develop, expand and grow. We offer affordable opportunities to help create a positive impact and advancement in your business interests and personal quality of life to take you to the next level.
Stay Connected with WNFP!

7 Ways to Better Networking

Many people (including me) offer advice on what it takes to be better at networking. One thing often is left out of that equation, however: Networking involves interacting with others, so it's worth asking what the average person believes it takes to become great. If we want to make the kind of impression that works to build a powerful personal network, we must be cognizant of others' expectations and adjust our behavior accordingly.

I recently gathered nearly 3,400 survey responses from business people around the world. I listed roughly 20 different characteristics and asked respondents to pick the behaviors they’d most like to see in a great networker. From this sample, I've identified the seven top characteristics and ranked them in order, according to survey answers.

1. Be a good listener.  

At the top of the list is being a good listener. Our success in networking depends on how well we can listen and learn. The faster you and your networking partner learn what you need to know about each other, the faster you’ll establish a valuable relationship.

A good networker has two ears and one mouth -- and should use them proportionately. When you're engaged in conversation, listen to the other person's needs and concerns so you can find opportunities to help him or her. In many ways, networking is about connecting the dots. Listening will enable you to help people make the connections they seek.

2. Develop a positive attitude.

Your attitude, or how you take things in general, is the first thing people see from you. A consistently negative attitude makes people dislike you and drives away referrals. By contrast, a positive attitude makes people want to cooperate and associate with you. This is why positive business professionals are like magnets. Others want to be around them and will send their friends and family to them, too.

3. Collaborate to serve others.

People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. Helping people puts that care into action so others can see it at work. One survey respondent said “people want to network with individuals who have a collaborative attitude.” You can help others in a variety of ways, from e-mailing a relevant article to putting them in touch with someone who has the knowledge or access to assist them with a specific challenge.

Several respondents commented they didn't want to network with people who are "in it for themselves." A willingness to collaborate is essential to building trust and establishing strong relationships.

4. Be sincere and authentic.

You can offer the help, the thanks and the listening ear, but if you aren't sincerely interested in another person, she or he will know it! People who've developed successful networking skills convey sincerity at every turn. One respondent said "it's all about the authenticity" that someone shows you. We've all seen people who are seemingly good at networking but lack sincerity. Faking it isn’t sustainable.

5. Follow up.

If you offer opportunities to someone who consistently fails to follow up, you'll soon stop wasting your time with this person. It doesn't matter if your call to action is a simple piece of information, a special contact or a qualified business referral. One respondent said that when it comes to networking, “the fortune lies in the follow up” and many people just “don’t follow up anymore.”

6. Prove your trustworthiness.

One respondent said it best: “It doesn’t matter how successful the person is, if I don’t trust them, I don’t work with them.” When you give a personal reference, you're putting your reputation on the line. You must be able to trust your referral partner and be trusted in return. Neither you nor anyone else will refer a contact to someone who can’t be trusted to handle it well.

7. Be approachable.

One respondent said people “will forget what you said and what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel." Effective networking starts with approachability -- and while this characteristic appears last on the list, everything flows from this manner of thought and action.
Each of the characteristics in this article ties into the notion of “farming,” not “hunting.” It's about building mutually beneficial business relationships. Only then will you succeed in creating a powerful, personal network.

As a young man, I studied under Warren Bennis. At the time, he was the world's foremost expert on leadership. He taught me that understanding the characteristics of a great leader is important, but it's even more important to understand how to apply those characteristics. "Know what you are good at and work to enhance those skills," he told me. "Know what you’re not good at and surround yourself with people who can help you improve those skills."

The same holds true with networking. Working to better your skills and learning how to use them effectively is what really counts.

Source: https://www.entrepreneur.com
Image Credit: Shutterstock

ABOUT WNFP
Westchester Networking for Professionals (WNFP) is a business networking association dedicated to helping small businesses and entrepreneurs develop, expand and grow. We offer affordable opportunities to help create a positive impact and advancement in your business interests and personal quality of life to take you to the next level.
Stay Connected with WNFP!

How To Shift Your Perception Of 'Networking' To 'Relationship Building'

I remember the first time I heard this phrase. As I replayed the words in my head, I thought about the journey that led to the creation of our first South American office. I thought about the business relationships my partner and I formed and the friendships we made along the way. I thought about how so much of our work in Brazil doesn’t feel like work, but rather like building bonds.

In the U.S., “networking” has a mixed connotation (at least to me it does). Indeed, for many, the word conjures images of large, impersonal conference centers, unwieldy client management software and pesky emails. However, as my experience in Brazil taught me, networking — when viewed as relationship building — can be an incredibly valuable personal and business skill. We just need to change the way we think about it.

It all starts with education.

As the co-founder of an education company, I urge families to consider their alumni network when selecting a university for their child. What you learn in your classes certainly matters, but it’s as important to think about what happens beyond the classroom. I encourage families to look at post-graduation employment rates and even where students are working after graduation. More importantly, families should consider how students are getting these jobs and to what extent alumni are involved in helping new graduates.

Reframing the conversation about college admissions this way develops students who are better prepared for the workforce; they recognize that the school they attend is not just a place to acquire knowledge, but to build relationships. The same holds true for working professionals: When selecting a graduate school or any other form of higher education, it’s essential to ask yourself not only what you will learn, but who you will meet there.

Seek opportunities to reach out.

There are few things that bother me more than emails that feel templated or forced after an initial interaction. Whether you meet someone at a conference or in a one-on-one setting, always be sure to follow up with a note that references specific points from the conversation, and continue to keep your exchanges personalized from there on out.

Networking is not a one-size-fits-all activity, so your approach shouldn’t be, either. When you think of networking as the opportunity to make friends, it’s only natural that you’ll feel compelled to share information and exchange knowledge. Think of what would pique the interest of each one of your contacts. This way, when you stumble across an interesting article or learn something new, you’ll know just who to share it with. If you keep your contacts at the top of mind, they’ll feel the same way.

Stay organized. 

Years ago, my company attempted to implement Salesforce, but given the personalized, customized nature of our interactions, we found we needed a system that was (you guessed it) more personalized and customizable. So, we made one of our own.

For my co-founder and me, it’s important that the platforms we use offer maximum flexibility and accessibility on the go. With this in mind, we created a Trello board — which we designed according to our own needs — to track our interactions with our clients and prospects: who they are, how we met them and when we were last in touch. Most importantly, the very exercise of creating such a system forces you to be thoughtful about how you’re building relationships. No matter what system you use, it’s essential to keep your contacts organized; just be sure to choose one that works for you.

Reframing my sense of how networking works has transformed me from a skeptic into an enthusiast, albeit perhaps a little late. I truly believe that starting a conversation about networking and its value in college (and even high school) will change the culture that surrounds it, and in the process, create more thoughtful future business leaders.

Just think of all the new friendships waiting to be made.

Source: http://www.forbes.com


ABOUT WNFP
Westchester Networking for Professionals (WNFP) is a business networking association dedicated to helping small businesses and entrepreneurs develop, expand and grow. We offer affordable opportunities to help create a positive impact and advancement in your business interests and personal quality of life to take you to the next level.
Stay Connected with WNFP!

How To Decide If A Networking Opportunity Is Worthwhile Or A Waste Of Time

To go or not to go? That is the question to ask yourself in deciding whether to attend a networking session. Will it be a productive opportunity or waste of time? Answer these four questions to decide if a networking event will be time well spent.

1. Do you like who you see?

Who is attending the event? Look online at the list of attendees. If this information is not posted on the Internet, inquire with the event organizer. Do you see listed individuals who you have heard of or organizations that inspire you? Networking is the opportunity to meet people. If you do not see people that interest you, you may want to pass on a particular opportunity.

2. Is there down time or designated time to network?

Beware of events that center around meals or are jam-packed with sessions one after another. Networking is a one-on-one sport. You cannot network if you and everyone else are listening to a keynote speaker or panel. There must be down time or designated free time to have individual exchanges.

If the schedule does not include down time or time to network and you still want to attend the event, carve out time to network. Get to the event early, before the first session starts, to meet and greet others near the registration table or at breakfast. Stay after the last session to talk with individuals. Ask if the person has time for a drink later that day to continue the discussion.

3. Do you feel nervous or slightly uncomfortable?

If you feel comfortable attending networking events, this may be a sign that you are meeting with the same type of people you have been networking with in the past. To start expanding opportunities for yourself, consider networking events where you can meet individuals of different experience levels or backgrounds. It helps you to stand out, in a good way. You can make an impact just by placing yourself in a situation that you are not usually in. Being different makes it easy for people to remember you and you to add unique value.

For example, you are an attorney in a room full of management consultants and strategists. Your training to anticipate and counter an opponent’s argument is a skill that can help strategists stay a step ahead of the competition. Or, you are a young professional at an event focused on leadership development of more experienced professionals. If you are invited or are able to obtain a ticket, go to the event and take advantage of the opportunity to meet individuals with more authority and influence. Embrace being outside of your comfort zone to position yourself for new opportunities.

4. Are you ready to tell people what you want?

Do you know what you want out of your career? Do you know the next step you want to take? For networking events to be worth your time, you must be ready to articulate what you want out of your career.

Do not mistake this for asking for a job. This is your opportunity to share with people your goals, what you are looking to do next and the values you are looking for in an organization. If you don’t know what you want to do with your career, you can’t tell them. And if you cannot tell them what you want, they can’t help you. Sharing with others what you want is not a magic bullet to securing your next opportunity, but it helps to speed things up. When others know what you want, they will think of you when they come across opportunities.

The next time you are confronted with an opportunity to network, ask yourself these four questions. Not all networking events are helpful. You need to decide whether they are worth your while. Ask for the information you need to evaluate the playing field, embrace the opportunity to get outside your comfort zone and expand your opportunities.

How do you decide whether to attend a networking event?

Source:http://www.forbes.com
Image credit: Shutter shock

ABOUT WNFP
Westchester Networking for Professionals (WNFP) is a business networking association dedicated to helping small businesses and entrepreneurs develop, expand and grow. We offer affordable opportunities to help create a positive impact and advancement in your business interests and personal quality of life to take you to the next level.
Stay Connected with WNFP!

How I Leverage My Presence at Networking Events (And You Can, Too)

I've found that attending networking events is the best, and most enjoyable, way to make the connections you need to grow a business. The key, of course, is finding just the right events where you can effectively network -- those that are most relevant to your target audience. This year, I attended three that were the perfect fit for me to build my business: the Portland Creative Conference, Vanity Fair's New Establishment Summit, and the Harvest Summit.

The PCC, a conference that showcases and celebrates the creative process of innovative players in various fields, is so popular that 89 percent of 2016 PCC attendees would recommend it to their colleagues. VF's New Establishment Summit hosted intimate conversations between the VF editorial team and luminaries with an equally impressive, intimate gathering of movers and shakers in tech, music and entertainment, politics, science, medicine, and more. Finally, the Harvest Summit gathered hand-selected innovators and disruptors among tech, entertainment, sports, food, and wine to explore collaborative opportunities.

So many illustrious people attended or spoke at each of these events, I could easily fill the rest of this page with their names. As a thought leader and innovator bridging the worlds of tech and entertainment, these are my people, and these were the perfect events for me to attend. All three reinforced for me the importance of networking for my own professional development and brand exposure. By flying with birds of a feather and "seeing and being seen" as a peer among the biggest influencers, I've been able to expand my business pipeline. These are exactly the kinds of clients and collaborators with whom I most want to engage.

Making Connections by Making a Splash

Over the years, I've met new clients, friends, colleagues, and future collaborators at these events. The challenge is to stand out from the crowd and leverage your unique voice to draw those opportunities to you.

1. Approach every conversation as a possible business opportunity. In fact, be proactive and take it upon yourself to find those opportunities. I'm not telling you to be "that" person, of course -- the annoying one throwing around business cards -- because it's more beneficial for you to be selective and approach the individuals you think you might be able to help. Giving to get is the idea here, not simply looking out for your own interests.

At the recent SF MusicTech Summit, for example, a woman stood up and talked about her work geared at improving artist-to-fan engagement at concerts. This happens to be an area of passion for me that I've worked on for more than a decade. I knew I could help her, so I approached her -- and we had a great conversation. She's now my newest client.

2. Speak up in your own unique voice. It's easy to assume that you have nothing new to add to the conversation. When all the experts in the room are saying the same thing, what value can you bring?

Remember: It's important to contribute, anyway! Your life experiences and perspective humanize you. When you share those aspects of your own unique personality, you're more likely to reach someone than if you just quoted a bunch of experts. And your passion and enthusiasm are as important as your expertise -- have something meaningful to share.

The new client I mentioned above wasn't drawn to me because I've worked at Apple, produced many events, or wrangled celebrities. She wanted to work with me because I had not only had those experiences, but had also synthesized them into a real personality capable of bringing value to her business. And she only knew this because I shared them with her in a one-on-one interaction. My enthusiasm, passion, and commitment to the space won her over.

3. Get comfortable saying "no." This may seem counterintuitive, but hear me out.

At events, most people are scrambling to fill their schedules and talk to anyone and everyone. When you set boundaries, though, you're communicating that your time is valuable. This will not only keep you sane, but it also sets a good example for others.

Several years ago, I attended an integrative coaching certification program with Debbie Ford, and musical artist Alanis Morissette was also a participant. As attention continued to shift heavily toward her, Alanis finally stood up and told everyone to focus on their own needs and development instead of her insights.

"Take your power back," she said.

Paradoxically, she couldn't have been more insightful with that comment. When you value your own time and boundaries, the energy changes. You're not only empowering yourself to identify the right opportunities, but you're also encouraging others to do the same.

After a busy fall full of conferences, I plan to actively participate in more industry events that are right for me in the coming year. Get out -- see and be seen, and participate. Whether you speak or just attend, approaching networking events with these tips in mind will help you find the right kinds of clients and collaborators to grow your business.

Source:http://www.inc.com/
Image Credit: Getty Images


ABOUT WNFP
Westchester Networking for Professionals (WNFP) is a business networking association dedicated to helping small businesses and entrepreneurs develop, expand and grow. We offer affordable opportunities to help create a positive impact and advancement in your business interests and personal quality of life to take you to the next level.
Stay Connected with WNFP!