Make it your job to take someone you’ve met through networking, and introduce them to someone you’ve known already.
I love meeting people and introducing them in to my sphere of influence. We all have a sphere of influence. We all have a group of peers that we are well respected in. You could be respected for your knowledge in that field, your personality, or any other number of reasons. Every time you network with someone, it’s an opportunity to introduce them to your sphere of influence. You’ve heard the term, “mi casa – su casa.” Which means, “my house is your house.” Let me introduce you to a new phrase, “mi red es tu red”. Now my spanish isn’t amazing (and Google Translate in not always correct) but that was “My network is your network.” We should see every networking opportunity as an open door to introduce a new friend to established friend.
Look for an opportunity to make the statement, “Can I get your number and introduce you and my friend? I think you both could add value to each other.”
When we expand our friendships and our network, it shows others that we live with an open hand.
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There’s nothing more refreshing than seeing someone lead humbly and network with an open hand.
For some of us, we’re old enough to remember a Rolodex. Remember those? Man the 90’s had some gems. This was one of them…depending on your profession. For those of you that don’t know, a Rolodex was basically a rotating wheel of all the people you knew. It was the precursor to ‘Contacts’ on your phone. It had cards you could fill out, but a lot of people I knew taped the business card of the person they knew on to the card on the wheel.
We all have a modern day Rolodex in our lives. In it’s our phones in the contacts, it’s on our recent call list, it’s in our recent texts, it’s maybe even in the room with us in that moment.
So how do you introduce someone you’ve networked with to someone else? Operate with a knowledge of needs in your life. Know your friends, what they need, and who can add value to them. When you meet someone who works in a specific area that would meet that need, connect them. Simply say, “I have friend that could benefit from what you do, can I connect you two?” There are friends in your life that need the services or relationship of someone you are networking with. My go to, to make this happen is to group chat them. I offer this: I simply say, “Can I group chat you two and let you guys take it from there?” If it’s a business person that’s always looking to drum up more business, they’ll never say no to a group text. If it’s your friend that needs them, I’m sure they won’t say no either. Even if you get a “no” from the person, simply ask them what would be the best way for your friend to contact them. Usually they’ll have some sort of offer of how they like to get connected outside of a cell phone number. But remember, the person you are speaking to has no idea about this person in your head that you want to introduce them to. If we’re not careful, we’ll try to sell this person in front of us on why they should connect with the person in our head. Don’t do that. They person in front of you doesn’t even know the name of the person in your head. It’s not worth their time for you to attempt to sell them on why they need to be connected. If you do anything, tell them on why they are a great person to connect with the person outside the room. “What you do, what your business does, what your non-profit does.. …that would help my friend so much. I can’t wait to see you both connected. I hope you’re able to get together soon.”
People that have friends, want their friends, to make new friends.
Introducing people adds value to both parties. When two people see that others are being put together with no strings attached, you stock rises. I love connecting people and knowing I’m out of the picture. It’s fun for me to simply be a mutual friend of the two parties. When no strings are attached, people are more likely to connect. They don’t need me, and I like that.
Introducing people shows your desire to see others succeed.
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You want to see that business grow and add contacts. You want to see that person grow their network. You want to see your friend get their needs met. You desire is to see others succeed, not to see your self succeed. Your goal is to add value to other people.
Every opportunity you have to network, see who you can introduce.
Le’s connect authentically and grow our network.
David Urzi 