Monthly Archives: May 2016

No Show, No Call, No Text

Kevin Willett discusses the importance of courtesy when you can’t make a meeting.

Last week one of my friends posted a question on social media asking how long you should wait for someone to show up for a coffee meeting. The consensus of the group was about 15 minutes. Now that makes sense to me, but I think it is more important to make sure that you are confirming your appointments and exchanging telephone numbers.  I like to email my appointments the day of our meeting, just asking if we are still good as scheduled. I include my number in the email; in case something changes, so they can reach out to me. Texting is also a good way to confirm.

I do understand that things can happen as you are walking out the door and last minute situations may prevent you from keeping the appointment. It is never acceptable to just not show up for a meeting. This is extremely disrespectful.  By exchanging phone numbers you can eliminate this issue from happening. You have my number. So you can call or text, no excuses. If you have a situation where you can’t make the meeting, let the other person know as soon as possible. A text message takes less than a minute to type out. You can then follow up later for a reschedule. If you don’t show up and then try to call and reschedule with me at some later point, I am probably no longer interested. Would you be?

Watch my YouTube Channel for more on this Business Networking Tip

Kevin Willett is the Author of One Connection How you can grow your business  (and change the world) one connection at a time. The business networking book is available on Amazon. Purchase One Connection on Amazon

Kevin is also the CEO of the Friends of Kevin Networking Group  and the New England B2B Networking Group. Please connect with him on social media to hear about his upcoming business networking events.

Are You Turning Over Every Rock in Your Job Search?

Kevin Willett compares networking for yourself to networking for business.

I love to speak to job seekers about using business networking in their job search because I truly believe your next job is coming from a networking connection. However, I am always surprised when less than ten percent of the group takes me up on my offer to help them.

If you are a job seeker you can send me your resume (as a word document please) and I will share it on the Friends of Kevin website, post it on my social media sites and use my contacts to help you find a job. In the last two years I have placed twenty five people. My friends, what do you have to lose by letting me help you?

One of the comments I receive all the time is “Kevin it is awkward to ask a complete stranger to help me”. My friends, to me, trying to find a job is like trying to grow your business. Most people attending a networking event are asking complete strangers to do business with them, so in my eyes there is no difference.

I have seen a few articles lately about the power of loose connections to help you find a job. People are often surprised when someone they casually know reaches out to them to help in their job search. That is the power of business networking.

By not attending events, you are missing out on your chance to form those connections. Also please don’t attend just once or twice and stop coming because it didn’t help you find a job. Just like when you are networking for your business, please give people time to get to know, like and trust you. I think you might be surprised by the results.

Watch my YouTube Channel for more on this Business Networking Tip

Kevin Willett is the Author of One Connection How you can grow your business  (and change the world) one connection at a time. The business networking book is available on Amazon. Purchase One Connection on Amazon

Kevin is also the CEO of the Friends of Kevin Networking Group  and the New England B2B Networking Group. Please connect with him on social media to hear about his upcoming business networking events.

My Clients Don’t Attend Networking Events

Kevin Willett explains the importance of having referral partners.

Often when I ask people to attend networking events they respond by saying “I don’t attend networking events because my clients are not in the room.”

I have to admit, that always makes me smile. I will then ask them “but are your referral partners in the room?” This will often cause people to pause and ask me what I mean.

Let me give you an example. My friend sells voice and data lines. If she attends an event with a commercial realtor, banker and insurance person she has three opportunities to build relationships with people who could be a constant referral source for her. Those three people may not need her services at this time, but they may have several clients among them who do need the service.

So next time you are tempted to skip a networking event because your clients are not in the room, ask yourself if your referral partners will be attending, because honestly that is where the gold is. If you can build relationships with people who are constantly passing you referrals, it is a much better way to network.

Watch my YouTube Channel for more on this Business Networking Tip

Kevin Willett is the Author of One Connection How you can grow your business  (and change the world) one connection at a time. The business networking book is available on Amazon. Purchase One Connection on Amazon

Kevin is also the CEO of the Friends of Kevin Networking Group  and the New England B2B Networking Group. Please connect with him on social media to hear about his upcoming business networking events.