The A-B-Cs of Networking

In the workplace - and when dealing with workplace matters - networking is a powerful tool. And the same is true in personal and social situations, where friends and family can provide you with a great support system, both as you make decisions about change in your life and as you carry them out. Most of us already have a network, but many of us don't know it, so we don't use it. All of us can have a network, but most of us don't do it, so we can't use it. My recommendation? Build a network of people who can assist you in reaching your goals ? and USE IT!

On a plain piece of paper, jot down the letters "A", "B" and "C" with "A" at the top of the sheet, "B" about one-third of the way down the page, and "C at the two-thirds point. Then write some notes to yourself as you read. The most powerful tool to use with a network is to "A" -- ASK for help. (Write this down.) In fact, that's what a network is for, and everyone knows it. Even those who network to develop business or to get a promotion know that even these selfish motives are, in their way, requests for help. Conversely, there's a willingness to help...it's a two-way street.

As wise men have said so many times, "Knowledge is power." But, since none of us can have all the knowledge, no one of us can have all the power. However, the more we ask, the more we learn. The more we know, the more powerful we can be.

Of course, knowledge itself isn't power (that's only POTENTIAL power). How we use the knowledge makes the power KINETIC - puts it out there where it can command respect, earn us a raise or promotion, get us a job or some other recognition we really want.

Now for the "B" item. Often, change affects a whole group of people. In that situation, using your network means enlisting others who are being affected and sharing information. "B" is for Brainstorm ? discuss ideas, opinions, strategies and tactical approaches among yourselves for the benefit of each and all of you. Perhaps you can use the space on your sheet to jot down some brainstorm ideas about who should be in your network, how to reach them, and so forth.

Finally, "C" - COMMUNICATE. TALK ABOUT YOUR IDEAS. There's no better way of honing them to razor-edged sharpness in your own mind. And talking about Idea number one may spark Idea number 2 - which may come from someone else - and that idea may be even better. Also, when you share, others will share as well, and you'll all feel supportive and supported.

Is this risky? It may feel that way, but that's not really accurate. Even your most cherished and secret idea isn't brand new. Most others don't want it or care about it, anyway...but they're often willing to help you realize it, so take the risk.

Look at your paper. Did you write down each of these key ideas? Now flesh out your outline, then get moving. Start your networking today. It's as easy as "A," "B," "C!"

Copyright 2002, 2005 Optimum Performance Associates/Paul McNeese.

Paul McNeese is CEO of Optimum Performance Associates, a consulting firm specializing in transitional and transformational change for individuals and institutions through publication. His publishing company, OPA Publishing, is an advocacy for self-publishing authors of informational, instructional, inspirational and insightful nonfiction.

Email: pmcneese@opapublishing.com
Websites: http://www.opapublishing.com and http://www.opapresents.com

---

Google News Updated : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:25:37 GMT Thai Protest Stops Trains and Planes - New York Times Times Online Thai Protest Stops Trains and Planes New York Times - 54 minutes ago By THOMAS FULLER BANGKOK - Protesters in Thailand ratcheted up their campaign to oust the government on Friday, broadening their occupation to stop trains and block provincial airports, as well as waging an unsuccessful attack on police headquarters ... Thai rioters attack police station Aljazeera.net UPDATE 8-Thai protests hit police HQ, disrupt airports Reuters The Associated Press - guardian.co.uk - United Press International - AFP all 2,319 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:31:31 GMT Evacuations begin in Louisiana - Houston Chronicle Calgary Herald Evacuations begin in Louisiana Houston Chronicle - 1 hour ago By DANE SCHILLER Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle NEW ORLEANS - About 1000 disabled and elderly residents west of the city are being evacuated this afternoon and New Orleans officials are considering whether to order more people out of the projected ... Video: New Orleans Braces For Gustav CBS Gulf Coast prepares as storm Gustav approaches The Associated Press BBC News - ABC News - Bloomberg - The Swamp - Tribune's Washington Bureau all 4,379 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:56:04 GMT Mayor Melton Advises Public of West Nile Precautions - WLBT-TV Mayor Melton Advises Public of West Nile Precautions WLBT-TV - 57 minutes ago When planning outdoor activities this Labor Day weekend, Jackson residents are encouraged to reduce their risk of contracting West Nile virus by protecting themselves from mosquito bites and removing sources of standing water near their homes. DELAWARE: West Nile virus appears later than usual Bethany Beach Wave West Nile victim's widow ponders his death Newsday Los Angeles Times - eFluxMedia - WSYR - The Olympian all 545 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:28:14 GMT In Lack of Health Insurance Coverage Texas Is First - eMaxHealth.com Ontario Now In Lack of Health Insurance Coverage Texas Is First eMaxHealth.com - 3 hours ago Texas is at the top of the heap again - this time we are the most uninsured state, health care-wise, in the country. Oh wait, being without health insurance coverage is not a good thing, is it? Number of uninsured Americans drops Bizjournals.com Update2: Number Of Americans Without Health Insurance Drops eFluxMedia dBTechno - UT The Daily Texan - Bolingbrook Sun - U.S. News & World Report all 336 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:22:00 GMT Detroit mayor's political future back in court - The Associated Press Washington Post Detroit mayor's political future back in court The Associated Press - 1 hour ago DETROIT (AP) - A lawyer for Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick asked a judge Friday to freeze next week's hearing that could remove him from office, accusing Gov. Judge to decide Tuesday on mayor's bid to halt ouster DetNews.com Hearing under way on suit against Granholm Detroit Free Press Chicago Tribune - Crain's Detroit Business - MyFox Detroit - New York Times all 1,672 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:06:32 GMT Microsoft to Buy Greenfield, Adding European Web Shopping Site - Bloomberg Siliconrepublic.com Microsoft to Buy Greenfield, Adding European Web Shopping Site Bloomberg - 1 hour ago By Phil Serafino and Dina Bass Aug. 29 (Bloomberg) -- Microsoft Corp., seeking to catch Google Inc. in the Internet-search market, agreed to buy Greenfield Online Inc. for $486 million to add Web sites that help consumers find product reviews and ... Survey Says ... Microsoft Is a Smart Shopper Motley Fool Microsoft to buy price comparison website Financial Times BetaNews - Red Herring - Web Host Industry Review - Xconomy all 356 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:24:21 GMT Gustav on the Brink of Explosive Development - Washington Post Telegraph.co.uk Gustav on the Brink of Explosive Development Washington Post - 1 hour ago Over the past 48 hours Tropical Storm Gustav proved it was a survivor, as it withstood difficult journeys over Haiti and Jamaica. Now it may turn into a monster. Video: Gustav Set to Batter Cuba, Enter Gulf of Mexico AssociatedPress Gustav threatens Caymans after swamping Jamaica The Associated Press KIII TV3 - AFP - Voice of America - AccuWeather.com all 5,361 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:05:23 GMT Clickbank RSS Feeds How to Earn Money At Home

PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

The Festive Season: Your Networking Opportunity

The festive season is a great time to sharpen and... Read More

Keys to Successful Networking While In Transition

Let's be real. With other pressures of life upon us,... Read More

Communication Is A 2-Way Street (The Networking Factor)

The Personal Touch 1There is a simple art to networking... Read More

Network Marketing Secret: On Becoming the ?GoTo? Guy

For years we've been taught to identify ourselves as reps... Read More

Business Networking ? Extroverted Web Weaving for the Introvert

If you have been in business for any amount of... Read More

Effective Networking

The process of finding out about a job, getting interviewed,... Read More

Lessons from the Wedding Mafia

One of my clients shared a story with me from... Read More

Who Are You and What The Heck Do You Do?

A few years ago, I was attending a family function... Read More

How to Create an Interest Story for the Press

What makes a good interest story?An interest story is just... Read More

Networking: Is Your Approach Too Self-Centered?

It's a classic mistake by networkers: their approach is focused... Read More

62 Ways to MAXIMIZE Your Approachability

If you walk into your local bookstore and pick up... Read More

Examination of Discovery - Finding the Right Networking Group

Why would I pick this group over another group?How many... Read More

Networking - How To Do It

Networking is probably the oldest, easiest, most effective and least... Read More

The Quest for Passive Income

Passive Income, residuals, royalties three ways to get paid multiple... Read More

Acknowledging Referrals! What?s in It For You?

I grew up in a household where saying thank you... Read More

People Know People

I recently entered the keyword "networking" into Google. In 0.13... Read More

Power Networking: Getting Your Name Out There!

Today's economy presents some very special challenges to people who... Read More

How Well Do Your Customers Know You?

Know your customer, know your customer, know your customer. Three... Read More

3 Reasons to Join a Group

Defining your purpose for joining a group.When you make the... Read More

Networking

Networking: Is it who you know or what you know... Read More

Increasing the ROI on Your Networking

Networking requires an investment of time, money and effort. Here... Read More

Talk Isnt Cheap

The most successful organizations have good communication skills. Survey after... Read More

It Pays to be Friendly

Most small business people do not take advantage of human... Read More

Networking to a New Life

Research shows that talking to strangers -- not people in... Read More

Your Front End

While surfing for traffic or browsing your safelist emails, you... Read More