I'm barely out of college and my rolodex is in its early stages. However, recently people have been asking me for referrals or connections to some of my contacts.
What are some methods that you use to increase the chance that the desired person doesn't blow off your request to meet or speak with the person seeking the connection?
What are some do's and don'ts when connecting two people?
Being a connector is very valuable for business. Just go by feel and try to keep the perspectives of all other parties involved in mind and try to understand their incentives. I refer people to professionals a lot (contractors, inspectors, lenders, etc.) and unless the person asking for a reference is a total bum who I know won't follow through, I refer even if I think there's a 5% chance they'll work together. Professionals have systems in place to screen leads and unless you send them a bum, they'll still appreciate the referral even if they don't do business together. I wouldn't worry too much you're wasting their time.
Philosophically, I try to operate in an abundance mentality - i.e. there is plenty of business to go around and I should be trying to enrich everybody around me as opposed to hoarding resources. If I see a deal and I don't have the time and/or money to pursue it, I'll give it to people I know with no expectation of anything in return. Because I'm in it for the long haul and the public should know that when you roll with Goldie, you get the riches.
There are many professionals who won't even give referrals when a 'powerful' person is involved because of the belief that they won't have any bullets in the chamber when it's time to ask that person for a favor. Simply put, they don't want to waste an 'ask' on another person when they can use it on themselves.
What are your thoughts on this mentality?
Can you elaborate? So we have three parties involved. Let's say two are colleagues / business acquaintances and one is a potential customer. Do the two colleagues have unequal power dynamics in your example?
Asking someone a favor and connecting two people who might do business together aren't the same thing. While it's important to operate from an abundance mindset imo, that doesn't mean to bother people. You should try to be aware of the business level, responsiveness, and politeness level of anyone you're asking for shit and don't even approach that line. It's generally a good idea to try to add value to the lives of everyone in your circle. I try to add more value than I take and things seem to work out. But you should expect the same back and if somebody is trying to take advantage, boot them from your circle. Winners in every field typically are able to generate immense value and naturally gravitate to operating from an abundance mindset and building relationships on mutual value exchange.
Died at "When you roll with Goldie, you get the riches."
I like to say shit in an amusing way because why not, but I'm serious. Become known as someone it's beneficial to be connected with. If you add value to productive, high-value people, they'll typically reciprocate and you can form a symbiotic relationship.
Thanks for your contribution, you hit the nail on the head.
Connecting people? (Originally Posted: 05/04/2018)
If you know someone (acquaintance/just a friend) is looking for a job, and you know a role that might open in another company where you contact works, would you pass on this person's CV or would you give your contact's email to this person, so that he can ask more info about the job himself?
What are the pros/cons from the 'connector's view point?
As the connector, I will always send the job seeker's resume because your contact will request this eventually (you cut out a step).
You should introduce your job seeker friend to your contact via e-mail (cc job seeker) and attach the e-mail. Then you let them take it from there. It's always best to cut the # of e-mails that get sent so as to prevent inbox overload/message getting lost.
Here's a good relevant podcast:
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jordan-harbinger/the-jordan-harbinger-…
Another suggestion I'd make in general is to study game theory and then become knowledgeable about the world in general. Studying game theory beyond what you learned in chapter 13 of your microecon book will give you a better toolbox for decision making and for understanding people's incentives. I think a lot of the most successful people are intuitively good at this, but we don't know what we don't know, so study and explore.
Regarding general studies: People want to work with people who they like and can relate to. And a lot of times, I meet people who have been at it for 20+ years and are killing it and I just will not tell them any relevant business information they don't already know. And even trying might make me look pompous even if I am able to enlighten them somehow. But these successful people are typically curious and have a variety of interests. So I can talk to them about history, politics, science shit, hunting, martial arts, athletics, nutrition, working out, travel, books, movies, music... we're bound to find some common ground. Dude, I know more about coffee than almost any layperson. Guess who loves coffee but probably never took the time to really learn about it? Guess who is also probably fucking tired of talking business all day every day and actually welcomes some unrelated conversation
Problem connecting with contact (Originally Posted: 09/14/2012)
Hey guys.. So I've been trying to reach a contact I made over summer. I am looking to get a spring internship. He told me over the summer to get back in touch with him in the fall. I emailed him on Monday asking when he had time to speak this week. He replied in like 5 minutes asking for my phone number and when was a good time for him to call me. I told him it and said anytime in the evening. Waited a couple of days and didn't hear from him. So yesterday I emailed him saying, "Hi, just wanted to follow up and see when you may be available to speak". He then responded by saying, "I will call you tonight". I waited all night but no call. Where do I go from here?
THanks guys
Any suggestions?
Check if you gave him your phone correctly, if so, wait until Monday to follow up.
Yes, I gave him the number correctly..
The MD/VP/whoever is breathing down his neck to do whatever it is he's busy with takes priority over the student who contacted him about an internship for 8 months down the road. Either it completely wasn't on his mind that night, or he was busy with other things. I would wait a week to give time for his stuff to settle down, then email him back asking what is a good time for YOU to call. Always take the initiative yourself, because you should never rely on someone else to take the initiative to move forward something that YOU want and 2) because it reflects badly on you (i.e. you don't look like a go-getter and someone who owns tasks).
Keep in mind this is pretty far down his list of priorities, in large part because of the perceived time period. Recognize that when dealing with him, and don't act like your needs should be near the top of his priority list; at the same time, do what you have to (i.e. structure it so you are calling him) so that your priorities are taken care of.
Tactfully pester them. Things get busy and people either forget or think "I'll get to it later" and never do. Until someone basically says "NEVER CONTACT ME AGAIN I CAN'T / WON'T HELP YOU" keep trying to connect.
It's nother personal, people just have a lot of stuff to juggle. Take it in stride and keep your network wide. Hey, that rhymed
He actualy called this afternoon while I was in class, I stepped out and spoke for about ten minutes. Seemed to go decently well, he told me to get back in touch with him closer to the summer. Whatever that means haha
He actualy called this afternoon while I was in class, I stepped out and spoke for about ten minutes. Seemed to go decently well, he told me to get back in touch with him closer to the summer. Whatever that means haha
connection (Originally Posted: 07/16/2009)
hey all,
So I have a solid contact at BB that is a senior VP who said he could help me out when I began looking for FT positions. However, I assume his email is incorrect or he got a new one, because I am getting the stupid message from mailer daemon.
I tried googling his name, and all I saw is his linkedin profile, and I can't be introduced or anything. What are my options? I tried reaching out to others I know at the bank, but to no avail.
Thoughts?
Call up the bank and ask for the directory services. If you've got his name, should be no problem.
How "solid" is this contact if you don't even have his email address, phone number, etc?
NEVER lose your BlackBerry www.conveniencesoftware.com
lol someone is definitely playing a prank on you
he got laid off
he's too busy calling all of HIS solid contacts
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