George C. Fraser, Networking Guru
We were impressed recently with an article on the internet by Mr. George C. Fraser. He offers Tips to “Click” when meeting people, either in business or socially. Mr. Fraser kindly gave us permission to reproduce his article in this space.
(This is the final installment of the George Fraser Top Ten Tips to CLICK: From 1 to 10. Top 10 Tips to "CLICK" Quick
By George C. Fraser, Founder and CEO of FraserNet, Inc.
I've accomplished a lot as America's networking guru, but my beginnings were humble. I was born in Brooklyn, New York, into a family of 11 children (8 boys and 3 girls). At the age of three I was placed in foster homes where I spent the next 15 years. The difficulty of those years and growing up on the streets of New York left me with little hope and few expectations.
Although my guidance counselor suggested I drop out of high school, I graduated from high school with a vocational diploma in woodworking; the school system did not consider me college material. Thank God I felt differently. For several years, I mopped floors on the midnight shift at LaGuardia Airport while I attended college.
Over the next three decades, I used my Ten Truths and tapped into the hundreds of relationships I developed to build one of the largest professional networking organizations in America. It was my way of testifying to the spiritual paradigm of ONENESS and the power of people working together. It is also a testimony of the strength of one man who dared to dream—despite insurmountable odds.
I believe the goal of all networking is to CLICK: to create the win-win. For those in business, "time is money." To this end, CLICK: Ten Truths to Building Extraordinary Relationships helps answer two critical questions: Do you find yourself wasting time networking and investing in business relationships that don't add value? And, why do some business relationships never work and others seem to CLICK?
From a personal perspective, doesn't it feel good when you CLICK (create a win-win) with someone? Wouldn't you like to know how to do it more often and enjoy the benefits of extraordinary relationships in your business and life? The following Top 10 Tips to CLICK will give you the tools you need to build extraordinary relationships in business and in life … quickly.
1. Be Authentic: Be who you really are. Have an agenda, know why you're there, what you want and need. Be on your best behavior—but always be yourself.
2. Be in the Moment: Please … shut up and listen with your eyes and ears. Ask good questions. Roaming eyes (looking over and around someone) is an instant turnoff. Your task is to understand the other person first.
3. Find a Need and Fill It: Help someone with their child, health, or wealth and you will CLICK quick. Using the paradigm of ONENESS, pretend you're in a contest with the other person to see who can genuinely give, serve and add value first. Always look for the win-win.
4. Follow-up or Be Forgotten: Attention spans are short these days. Following up demonstrates you care and helps build the connection. It also will impress people, because 98% won't do it.
5. Give Credit and Take the Blame: This is especially true when you lead a team. Remember you have a limited amount of time; therefore, quickly rid yourself of toxic people and bloodsuckers—people who drain you of your time, energy, and patience.
6. Make Others Feel Significant and/or Important: Give sincere compliments. Appropriateness is the key, be it the hair, jewelry, suit, tie, remarks, accomplishments, ideas, etc. Remember, insincerity is the highest form of B.S.
7. Don't Be Boring: Talking only about sports, weather, and/or business can be boring. Read! Lead with your passion/purpose. Self-depreciating humor is a great ice breaker. Do not pre-judge people.
8. Have a Great Soundbite: It's like having a hit record. Prepare a short 15-20-second statement that says: A) who you are, B) where you're from, C) what you do, D) how you add value, and E) a quantifiable evaluation of your value. A great soundbite should pique people's interest and give them something substantial from which to establish a connection.
Here is my soundbite:
"Hi, I'm George Fraser from Cleveland, Ohio, by way of Brooklyn, New York. I'm the Founder and CEO of FraserNet, Inc. We are a global leadership network. I write books and speak on networking and building wealth. Over the last 25 years, I've helped over 5,000 people find just the right job and generate over $500 million in new business. It's a pleasure to meet you."
It is 67 words and takes about 20 seconds to deliver. I have several versions of the same soundbite and use them appropriately. Spend quality time writing out your soundbite.
9. Smile Please: You'll attract more people. A gentle smile while standing, listening, and/or talking is infectious. It signals openness, warmth, energy, and interest.
10. Pay Attention to Appearance and Hygiene: Yes … how you look matters. First impressions stick for a long time, so make a great one! Looking and smelling good go perfectly with feeling good and sounding good. It's an unbeatable quartet if you want to be on the team.
George C. Fraser, master teacher and visionary with rare combination of business and people skills, is chairman and CEO of FraserNet, Inc. He founded FraserNet, Inc., the nation's largest network of black professionals, business owners, and community leaders, and is the author of Success Runs in Our Race (Harper Collins, revised 2004) and Race for Success (William Morrow, 1998). This article is based on his latest book CLICK: Ten Truths for Building Extraordinary Relationships (McGraw-Hill, 2008). For more information please visit www.frasernet.com or www.10truths2click.com.
Road Construction Update:
Atlantic Avenue under turnpike to close overnight Wednesday. Beginning at 9 P.M. drivers won't be able to drive under the overpass until 5 A.M. the next morning.
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