If you’ve ever been on the underground, you will have seen the signs or heard the warning “Mind the gap.” This warning is making you aware of the dangers of the gap between the train and the platform. The ‘gap’ is the dangerous space between where you currently are, the platform and where you’d like to be, on the train.
When working with clients, I will talk with them about the dangers of the ‘gap’ for them in terms of their network. The gap is the empty space where you are missing skills or support in key areas of your success plan.
A succesful network should consist of access to the right resources, people and clients. Let’s look at these individually.
Resources
Resources include things like information that can help us run our business or develop our skills. They could also include access to such things as a meeting space, and trusted suppliers. They can include access to special events or clubs where we might entertain our trusted network.
People
People are vital to our success. The more key people we have in our network the more likely success will become. Who do you go to for support when times are tough or for knowledge when you’re stuck? Who are your mentors and coaches? What gaps do you have regarding professions in your network? Having a network full of skilled people across many disciplines will place you as a go to person for others when they need help.
This means that you stay at the forefront of their thinking and are elevated as a key person of influence for others. Other key people you should have in your network are the people who have the same target market clients as you. These people sit in front of the same type of client you want to work with so, it would make sense to build relationships with them.
Clients
Having potential clients in your network is key. However it is important you build a trusted relationship with them. Once the trust is in place, they will buy from you as opposed to you selling to them all the time. If you support your clients by using your network to support them you become much more than a provider of a service. You become a key component for their success, not just through your service or product, but by the added extras you bring through your network.
If you were to review you resources, people and clients, where are you strong and where would your gaps be?
What steps do you need to take to narrow the gaps in your network?
More tips?
If you enjoyed this blog and would like to how to get the most from your networking then you can download my free ebook “47 Networking nuggets” by clicking on the link below.