“Networks must be WIN-WIN or they are NO WIN.” - Jared Yellin
Many people have told me that they have never met someone who is firmer on their boundaries.
To me, my boundary is my code so it’s my responsibility to dig my feet firmly into the ground in order to NOT be swayed by opportunities, people, events, etc. that are “disguised” as accelerators when they are ultimately detractors. One of the reasons why my boundaries are so firm is because of my extremely unique relationship with time and my deep belief that everything in life is either IN-service or a DIS-service to what you ultimately desire.
Every decision I make is intended to propel me forward from where I am, because where I am is already comprised of everything I want and desire so if a decision is a lateral move or a digression it’s not worth the effort to regain lost ground and to try and build momentum again.
I understand that entrepreneurship has this basic premise of one step backwards to take many steps forward, but it’s absolutely essential that if you take this approach you are clear on how that step will eventually propel you to further than you want to be.
But intention is absolutely key in everything that you do and one area where I see a lack of intention for entrepreneurs and business owners who do NOT have a hardline on NETWORKING!
I have met far too many business owners and entrepreneurs who burn themselves out from networking.
Networking has the potential to be the ultimate violation of boundaries AND an area where many people are not clear on their ideal outcome, so they heavily immerse themselves into many experiences only to realize that they are NOT getting what they want out of each.
But why?!?!
“Isn’t networking about meeting other people who can help grow my business?”
That question is the issue!
Here are my FIVE NON-NEGOTIABLES OF NETWORKING!
1 - Networking is about WIN-WIN or NO WIN
The only sustainable way to make networking work is to make sure it WORKS for everyone involved because if both parties are not winning, then there is no win because eventually the party that is not getting what they want from the dynamic will feel slighted and eventually disengage.
2 - Networking is about access to opportunities that you don’t have access to on your own
This might be a unique requirement for me, but it should also enter your list of non-negotiables in the space of networking, because access equals opportunity and opportunity equals acceleration. If a network you belong to is giving you access to something you can’t experience on your own then that network, in my opinion and experience, is 100% worth my time and money and attention. More on this point in a bit...
3 - Networking is about solving problems and creating solutions
I believe that the world is riddled with efficiencies and inefficiencies that hold people hostage. They are not able to experience freedom when inefficiencies prevail and often these inefficiencies live within businesses. If you were to attend networking experiences with the problem/solution mindset it would enable you to distinguish yourself from the crowd while creating real value for yourself and others. There have been countless times in the past when I wore the problem/solution hat and a single networking experience products an extraordinary dynamic with one or more people, positive change in the world, and tons of money as well.
4 - Networking is connecting with the untouchable
Just for the record, networking does not mean you are only going to a local business card exchange or luncheon, networking in my opinion is connecting with a WIN-WIN transformational outcome via any medium. I call this - connecting with the untouchables - and when networking is done from a place of problems/solutions - you increase the likelihood of getting the attention of someone who you once thought would never give you the time of day. Because I define networking as WIN-WIN transformational outcomes, there is literally no one I can’t connect with because EVERYONE is also yearning for that type of opportunity as well.
5 - Networking is a battle of 51/49
This to me is the golden rule of networking and it will truly require you to be selective AND to offer value first. The reason I say be selective is that networking should be a precise process to connect with relevant people who can lead to that WIN-WIN outcome, but most just cast a net as far and wide as possible to see what they can catch. This happens to be a turn off and it’s the reason why networking is probably not working for you if you take this approach. Being selective means that you are a relevant person (as are they) to create a solution and NOT everyone is relevant. Layered on top of being selective is the value first and value always approach, which is the reason I am able to connect with anyone and maintain the relationships. I am VERY competitive and I must win the 51% contribution and 49% receiving contribution battle and holding myself to this standard enables me to always think of what the other person needs before I think of my own needs, but please don’t read this the wrong way…
I said BEFORE my own needs - this does not mean I don’t think about my needs. The dynamic must produce a WIN-WIN or it’s a NO WIN - please remember that very important requirement.
So, back to that question…
“Isn’t networking about meeting other people who can help grow my business?”
The answer is a BIG, BOLD, FAT...NO!
And this question is the reason why most people don’t enjoy networking, because they either feel the need to build their business versus building relationships OR they feel that other people have an ulterior motive when at a networking experience.
Listen, you don’t have to agree with me at all, but what you should know is that I am an EXTREMELY effective networker that does not “network” based on how society would define it.
I Pretty Much Stopped Networking A Few Years Ago…
In 2013, I invested a ton of money ($100,000+) and time into different networks.
I joined Mastermind Groups…
I joined Accountability Programs…
I joined Coaching Organizations…
I went to tons of events…
I literally went all in and all out and then mid-way through the year…
ELIMINATED EVERYTHING!
I realized that the networks were NOT offering me what I wanted and needed…
Remember...I have an extremely unique relationship with time and a deep belief that everything in life is either IN-service or a DIS-service to what you ultimately desire.
For me, the “networking” I was doing was a waste of my time and money AND it became a DIS-service for the following reasons…
1 - I was not participating to learn new skills - I love learning but that was not my motivation.
2 - I was not joining to build new relationships - I can access relationships without the financial and time investment.
3 - I wanted access to something I did not have access to - investment opportunities, exclusive joint ventures, information that was not publicly known, etc.
I actually became so disenchanted with the networks I belonged to that, I wanted to create my own based on two specific things that I believe matter…
1 - Previous Success - Success can be replaced with whatever matters to you but an element of unique likemindedness is very important.
2 - Access To Exclusive Opportunities - Opportunities drive people to commit forever and the network I wanted to build needed to offer something that people could not get anywhere else.
I bring up these two requirements because NETWORKS should be the perfect home for the RIGHT PEOPLE, not just any people, and when the RIGHT PEOPLE network, the five NON-NEGOTIABLES listed above are created without question.
For the record, I did not launch a network in 2013, but I did decide to launch a network in 2020 that truly exemplifies everything shared in this article.
More to come on this in the following days, but for now you can learn more here: www.ChangeMaker.ventures
Just To Reiterate...Most People (Probably YOU) Are Spinning Their Networking Wheels!
You have events (in-person/Zoom) almost every night and even two-a-days on a regular basis.
You are in TONS of groups…
Masterminds…
Attend luncheons/dinners/breakfasts/charity events, etc!
You invest dozens and dozens of hours each week into networking, but yet, your business is nowhere near where you want it to be AND your relationship capital is also lagging.
How’s it possible that with all of the time and money invested into networking you don’t have what they want?
Well, it’s because of what I shared above…
1 - Networking is about WIN-WIN or NO WIN
2 - Networking is about access to opportunities that you don’t have access to your own
3 - Networking is about solving problems and creating solutions
4 - Networking is connecting with the untouchable
5 - Networking is a battle of 51/49
And if any of these FIVE are missing, then I am positive that your networking efforts are NOT eliciting the outcome you want and in turn are…
WASTING TIME…
DIS-SERVICE TO YOUR ULTIMATE DESIRE…
PREVENTING YOU FROM GETTING WHAT YOU YEARN TO ACHIEVE
And all of this leads to…
Less time…
Less money…
Less life experience…
When in reality…
Your networking efforts MUST lead to the opposite…
More time...
More money…
More access….
More impact…
More excitement…
More life experiences…
Here’s a process that I deploy every quarter in order to optimize my time which is the asset I care about more than anything else...
Because I am fanatical about TIME and ACCELERATION - as you should be too - I created a quarterly discipline to hold my networking decisions accountable.
Every network should create the following….
More time...
More money…
More access….
More impact…
More excitement…
More life experiences….
This process will help you crystalize the benefit of each network you belong to while opening your mind to networks you should belong to AND eliminating networks that are not serving your ultimate desires.
🔥Step 1: List Your Current Networks You Below To - ALL OF THEM!🔥
BNI, Chamber, Facebook Groups, LinkedIn Groups, Industry Groups, Entrepreneur Societies, Masterminds, Religious, School, University, Kids, Educational Programs, Etc.
🔥Step 2: Let The Assessment Process Begin And Please Don’t Be Romantic🔥
IN-Service = Business Growth, More Time, More Life Experiences, More Access, More Impact
DIS-Service = Business Shrinking, Less Time, No Life Experiences
🔥Step 3: Completely Eliminate The DIS-service🔥
Don’t waste any time - leave the networks that have become a DIS-service of you! This will create space for Step 4.
🔥Step 4: Do Research (Recommended 1 Hour Per Week) On Desired Networks🔥
If you could have it all your way, which networks would you belong to? And then, record a 3-minute video and email, text, or message it to the head of the network explaining why YOU MUST BELONG IN-service of THEM and YOU!
As you can see, I am fanatical about networking done right because networks that have the FIVE NON-NEGOTIABLES provide access which equals opportunity and opportunity equals acceleration and that is EXACTLY what your networks should offer you!
Live with Intention,
