Part of any successful networking strategy includes a membership to various groups like a Chamber of Commerce, BNI, BizWomen, TBN, Rotary, and Kiwanis. All are credible organizations with wonderful benefits for its members and that is why people are drawn to them. However, in order to successfully build your book of business within the framework of these entities, a professional like yourself needs to roll up your sleeves and get to work. And getting to work means more than just showing up. It means:
- arriving early to help out
- taking a leadership position
- bringing guests to events and meetings
- suggesting new ideas
- doing what is expected of each member (i.e. showing up on time, submitting paperwork)
- attending events
You cannot expect to play a passive role and get anything in return. And while there may be limitations to what you can do, due to things like family obligations or logistics, you can still be a contributor to the success of the whole. Minimizing our role undermines our success, for as the old saying by the Chinese philosopher Laozi goes, “a journey of 10,000 miles begins with a single step.”
We take pride in our homes, clothes, fitness, hobbies, and families. This same pride should also extend to the organizations that we align ourselves with. For in the end they are really a reflection of us. Whether or not we claim to own it.
Keep it personal.