Networking 101 - Have a Database of Resources

Networking  101 - Have a Database of Resources

By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting (Pty) Ltd 

Dr. Renate Volpe, in her nugget cards entitled “Networking Tips” says:

“Have a database of resources to help other people.”

What does this mean?  Does it mean that you have to work your butt off to add people to your data base and then give your entire data base to anyone who’s looking for one?  Of course not!

That said, the more different types of people and the different types of resources that they bring to your data base, means more people that you can refer and add value to.

I have a neuro-surgeon in my data base – forget for a minute how I happen to have this man’s contact details in my data base.  I have often stood up at networking meetings and stated that if anyone needs anyone, chances are that I have one of whatever that they need in my database.  At this point I usually tell them that I even have a brain surgeon and that usually brings about fits of nervous laughter.

Here’s the thing though – some time last year, a good friend of mine was diagnosed with a debilitating disease and what her doctor told her and the information that she got off the internet just didn’t always make any sense – she was, as I am sure you can imagine, in a highly emotional state.  I was not only able to refer her to my brain surgeon, but because he (and his staff know me) I was able to get her an appointment within two weeks instead of the usual 2 months that everyone else had to wait.
Was he able to ‘makes things better’ – actually not, but what he was able to do was answer all of her questions, and put her at ease in terms of what she could do, versus what she should do and then of course what she shouldn’t do at all, and he was able to do this in a relatively short space of time.

I know that this is a case in the extreme, but think about it for a moment – if you need some sort of product or service or you are not even really sure about what it is that you need and I can be of assistance, it means that I add value to you as an individual and to the person that I am referring as well.  Chances are, going forward, that if you hear of anyone who is requiring my services that you will pass them along to me.

It’s all about ‘giving’ in order to get and believe me it works very well.

Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za  or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za