Special Guest Blogger and New Author Thom Singer

Hi Fellow Ripplers!

I am excited to have Thom Singer as our guest blogger today. Thom is an amazing guy who has written an amazing book. Be sure to check it out at www.thomsinger.com and enjoy Thom's post!

Ripple On My Friends!!!!

Steve

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Some Assembly Required

By Thom Singer

Networking is one of those things that comes naturally to some people and is hard work for others. It is simply about relationships with others in your business community, and developing an understanding of what you both have to offer. This is not easily accomplished and takes a dedication of time and energy. But time and energy are in short supply in our busy lives and it takes work to build a network. This is why I titled my new book on networking “Some Assembly Required”. To develop a powerful list of contacts, you need to assemble a group of people who know, like and respect you. Then the work really begins.

People with large, functional networks understand that other people are a valuable resource. Like money in the bank that is both saved for a rainy day and pays interest, your network is important for both today’s business and as an investment in your future. Seasoned networkers enjoy finding ways to assist others: they like to connect people and watch the results. It is the ripples that cross the water, effecting everything and changing the world that makes networking exciting.

Career-long employment by the same company is no longer reality. In the private sector, no substitutes exist for hard work. The same is true for your network. New technologies cannot build your relationships nor can you delegate the responsibility of relationship cultivation to anyone else. Your secretary can not do it for you.

Skilled networking makes good professionals great. Savvy networking is something that is both natural and transparent. It just comes across as being friendly and interested in those around you. While it doesn’t come easily to everyone, it can be learned.

The results will not happen overnight, and you will not necessarily know when and where the pay off will occur. Building a network of professional relationships and cultivating those contacts into long-term business and personal friendships is a never-ending adventure. The best networkers and most successful ones will keep at it and have fun along the way.

Thom Singer is the author of “Some Assembly Required: How to Make, Grow and Keep Your Business Relationships” (New Year Publishing 2005). The book is available and he can be reached at www.thomsinger.com