|
In today’s society it is very fashionable to make sports analogies when speaking about business. Go to any sales meeting or business conference and one is sure to pop up. We have all witnessed the ‘team effort’ speech or one of the all time favorites, there is no ‘I" in team. It seems to be a constant drum beat when motivating people in business.
Well I have always strived to be fashionable so I will not disappoint you ~ let’s talk sports. The nagging question is does business to business networking qualify as a team sport? I can see those wheels turning now, yes, no, maybe, depends ... we all have an opinion. After all networking is mostly referred to as a group concept not a team. Everyone in a networking group strives to grow ‘their’ individual business. Groups usually contain several individual business stars, so where is the team concept? Does any of this matter? A team, a group, what’s so important about the name?
The importance is not in the name but understanding the concept. What makes a great networking group ~ a team? The answer may come by comparing an Olympic track team to networking groups. An Olympic track team is comprised of individual champions. There are sprinters, a long jumper, the pole-vaulter and the long distance runners. Each a star in there own area of expertise. Of course this group of individual stars must also perform in ‘team’ events. The one I enjoy making a comparison with is the relay race. The relay team is made up of individual stars that must ‘trust’ each other in order to succeed. The sprint champion starts the race and is ‘trusted’ to carry the baton to the next team member as quickly as possible. He then is ‘trusted’ to hand off this baton while running at full speed and is ‘trusting’ the teammate to accept it, not drop it and run as fast as possible to hand off to the next teammate. It takes speed, precision, concentration and most of all ‘trust’ in order to win.
Now think of your networking group and look at the team being fielded. Is your roster filled with individual champions? Do they understand the team part of networking? Can they be relied on in the race for success? Can you trust them to understand, concentrate and hand off information that will help your business truly grow? Can they be trusted to help you achieve success? And most importantly can they trust you?
The race is on…the ‘baton’ is information
Do you give time to your team?
Do you meet with them learning how to properly pass the baton?
Do you understand how to deliver it securely, place it with confidence?
Do you extend yourself and reach out to help your teammates.
Do you trust the person handing off the baton, will it be a smooth transition?
Can you be trusted to reach back and accept the baton careful not to drop it and most importantly follow up?
These are the questions you need to answer when considering business to business networking. Are you joining a group of champions? Can you relate at this level and deliver what they need? Can you make the relay team? And the number one question which needs to be answered (insert drum roll) do you trust the ‘team’?
There is only one way to find out the answers. Strap on those track shoes and join a team. Look for a team with strong leadership and true champions of business. Learn how to take your championship talents and utilize them to make the strongest networking team possible. And learn how to trust and be trusted.
As you can see the answer to that nagging question is yes, networking is a team sport. Networking is not a game but a group of very successful and talented business men and women who understand how to play as a team.
When choosing a networking team make sure everyone is playing at the same level. It takes time to develop the skills and trust needed for team success. Be a team player, lead by example and you earn your teammates trust. To quote one of most famous team players in the history of sport, "You’ve got to be careful if you don’t know where you’re going because you might not get there" ~ Yogi
Robert Putt is Executive Director of the American Business Associates New Jersey Chapter. The ABA-NJ is a business development association that meets monthly. Robert is also a published restaurant critic for Times-Ledger Newsgroup, N.Y. and President, RSP Associates hotel and restaurant consulting firm and contributing writer to Pros4Pros website. Individuals seeking more information about the ABA New Jersey may contact Robert at RSPutt@Verizon.net.
|
Networking 