the networking event with two new appointments in her book. Even better, she doesn't have to play telephone tag.

There are two lessons to be learned from Tiffany. Networking, just like any other marketing, needs to have a plan. Answers to the questions of who, how many and how are necessary? The second lesson is that if you don't know who you want to meet, you won't know when you're standing right in front of them. It's as simple as that. Without the plan, you could meet your most promising prospect, but let them slip through your fingers, because you're not aware that the

A quandary facing business people is how to figure out what to do next, after meeting a new person. What is the right time to get back to them? What if they won’t take a phone call?

Tiffany has re-entered the business world after taking ten years off to raise her children. Additionally, she took the big step of accepting a sales position with a telecommunications company. She attends many networking events where she meets people she needs to know, but doesn't know how to turn those first meetings into many more.

Tiffany will triumph if she takes a step back before moving ahead. Her method of networking is missing the important factor of planning. Having moved in reverse, she can stop to ask herself, "What am I trying to accomplish?" Once she determines the goal, then and only then, can she move forward. Some questions she might ask herself are, "Who am I trying to meet? What do I want to do with these people? What measurable goals do I want to target for each event?" The answers will help her to determine and focus on the next steps in developing the relationships.

"Knowing who I want to talk to is one thing, but how do I make that happen?" asked Tiffany. She was delighted to be told the secret that she doesn't have to do it all by herself. First she needs to set an attainable goal. It's really better for her to meet two or three people in depth, than to take dozens of business cards to her office where they will gather dust on her desk. Tiffany also needs to asks herself, "Who am I trying to connect with?" Beyond that, she’ll want to know if she should be meeting prospects, or people who can refer business to her. While Tiffany may not know names of people she wants to meet, she can at least have categories or professions of people to begin the process.

For Tiffany, her prospect is a owner of a company with 50 – 200 employees. To be introduced to her prospects she could talk with the person in charge of the event to learn the names of people attending who fit that description. Taking one additional step, she could ask the event organizer to introduce her to these people. Tiffany found out that if she takes her appointment book with her she can eliminate that dreaded question of, "How much time do I let go by before calling them for an appointment?" She now has a goal to walk out of the networking event with two new appointments in her book. Even better, she doesn't have to play telephone tag.

There are two lessons to be learned from Tiffany. Networking, just like any other marketing, needs to have a plan. Answers to the questions of who, how many and how are necessary? The second lesson is that if you don't know who you want to meet, you won't know when you're standing right in front of them. It's as simple as that. Without the plan, you could meet your most promising prospect, but let them slip through your fingers, because you're not aware that the

g ahead. Her method of networking is missing the important factor of planning. Having moved in reverse, she can stop to ask herself, "What am I trying to accomplish?" Once she determines the goal, then and only then, can she move forward. Some questions she might ask herself are, "Who am I trying to meet? What do I want to do with these people? What measurable goals do I want to target for each event?" The answers will help her to determine and focus on the next steps in developing the relationships.

"Knowing who I want to talk to is one thing, but how do I make that happen?" asked Tiffany. She was delighted to be told the secret that she doesn't have to do it all by herself. First she needs to set an attainable goal. It's really better for her to meet two or three people in depth, than to take dozens of business cards to her office where they will gather dust on her desk. Tiffany also needs to asks herself, "Who am I trying to connect with?" Beyond that, she’ll want to know if she should be meeting prospects, or people who can refer business to her. While Tiffany may not know names of people she wants to meet, she can at least have categories or professions of people to begin the process.

For Tiffany, her prospect is a owner of a company with 50 – 200 employees. To be introduced to her prospects she could talk with the person in charge of the event to learn the names of people attending who fit that description. Taking one additional step, she could ask the event organizer to introduce her to these people. Tiffany found out that if she takes her appointment book with her she can eliminate that dreaded question of, "How much time do I let go by before calling them for an appointment?" She now has a goal to walk out of the networking event with two new appointments in her book. Even better, she doesn't have to play telephone tag.

There are two lessons to be learned from Tiffany. Networking, just like any other marketing, needs to have a plan. Answers to the questions of who, how many and how are necessary? The second lesson is that if you don't know who you want to meet, you won't know when you're standing right in front of them. It's as simple as that. Without the plan, you could meet your most promising prospect, but let them slip through your fingers, because you're not aware that the

n?" asked Tiffany. She was delighted to be told the secret that she doesn't have to do it all by herself. First she needs to set an attainable goal. It's really better for her to meet two or three people in depth, than to take dozens of business cards to her office where they will gather dust on her desk. Tiffany also needs to asks herself, "Who am I trying to connect with?" Beyond that, she’ll want to know if she should be meeting prospects, or people who can refer business to her. While Tiffany may not know names of people she wants to meet, she can at least have categories or professions of people to begin the process.

For Tiffany, her prospect is a owner of a company with 50 – 200 employees. To be introduced to her prospects she could talk with the person in charge of the event to learn the names of people attending who fit that description. Taking one additional step, she could ask the event organizer to introduce her to these people. Tiffany found out that if she takes her appointment book with her she can eliminate that dreaded question of, "How much time do I let go by before calling them for an appointment?" She now has a goal to walk out of the networking event with two new appointments in her book. Even better, she doesn't have to play telephone tag.

There are two lessons to be learned from Tiffany. Networking, just like any other marketing, needs to have a plan. Answers to the questions of who, how many and how are necessary? The second lesson is that if you don't know who you want to meet, you won't know when you're standing right in front of them. It's as simple as that. Without the plan, you could meet your most promising prospect, but let them slip through your fingers, because you're not aware that the

professions of people to begin the process.

For Tiffany, her prospect is a owner of a company with 50 – 200 employees. To be introduced to her prospects she could talk with the person in charge of the event to learn the names of people attending who fit that description. Taking one additional step, she could ask the event organizer to introduce her to these people. Tiffany found out that if she takes her appointment book with her she can eliminate that dreaded question of, "How much time do I let go by before calling them for an appointment?" She now has a goal to walk out of the networking event with two new appointments in her book. Even better, she doesn't have to play telephone tag.

There are two lessons to be learned from Tiffany. Networking, just like any other marketing, needs to have a plan. Answers to the questions of who, how many and how are necessary? The second lesson is that if you don't know who you want to meet, you won't know when you're standing right in front of them. It's as simple as that. Without the plan, you could meet your most promising prospect, but let them slip through your fingers, because you're not aware that the

the networking event with two new appointments in her book. Even better, she doesn't have to play telephone tag.

There are two lessons to be learned from Tiffany. Networking, just like any other marketing, needs to have a plan. Answers to the questions of who, how many and how are necessary? The second lesson is that if you don't know who you want to meet, you won't know when you're standing right in front of them. It's as simple as that. Without the plan, you could meet your most promising prospect, but let them slip through your fingers, because you're not aware that they are a prospect.

Before attending your next golf outing, social/charitable event, business after hours, or even the family wedding, make a plan, because plan will give you results.