Creating Your Power Network: Three Tips to Start Value Based Networking

The whole concept behind Value Based Networking is that leaders must hone their networking skills to create a layer of personal contacts that provide the support, feedback, and resources needed to get things done.
While most of the folks we’re talking to about this can see the incredible value: by building your strategic network you can enhance your own and your company’s performance; there are some who find networking one of the most dreaded developmental challenges. Here are a few tips to get you on your way to creating your own power network:

Keep a Detailed Record of EVERY SINGLE PERSON you meet
Value Based Networking is more than just keeping names, addresses and phone numbers of your contacts. The key to Value Based Networking is having the strengths, weaknesses, interests, family background, hobbies and accomplishments of every person at your fingertips. You build that knowledge throughout your time of knowing them. Every time you speak to someone, make notes about them – what they are doing, stories they tell you, lessons you learn from them.
And, I do mean EVERYONE. Ten years ago who would have guessed that a young lawyer named Barack Obama would become the President of the United States. You never know which contacts will be the most interesting or valuable as time passes.
The majority of college graduates don’t have any idea what they want to do with their lives. To complicate matters, research tells us that today’s college graduate will experience 10.3 job changes in his or her lifetime!
Your Value Based Networking file is a great way to survive those changes.

Use a Value Based Networking System to keep track of your contacts
It’s essential to have your own Value Based Networking “system” to keep track of contacts. When you meet someone new, make note of when, where and how you met and anything interesting you learned about that person... hobbies, family data, special interests, etc.
Whether you use a paper system like a Rolodex or a sophisticated contact management system or simply the Notes section of your Outlook Contacts, as soon as you can, make an entry in your personalized Value Based Networking system. You should also note any follow-up contact—a thank you letter, an article sent out, whatever—and schedule when your next contact will occur on your calendar. That way you can make sure your Value Based Networking System is working actively for you, not just sitting dormant on your desk or computer.
If you don’t have a specific reason to contact someone, you might still make a note to follow up in, say, six months. Later, when you get that reminder, you’ll find a reason to be in touch.

Find reasons to stay in touch
If you have a genuine desire to stay in contact, it’s easy. Here are some examples:
You’ve changed jobs and you want to let people know where they can find you. You might send a formal announcement or a handwritten note with your new business card. You might also want to send a brochure that will interest them, or your new company’s annual report.
I often make a point of clipping and sending ideas I think someone could use. It might be a great quote, a funny story, or even a cartoon.
Meeting new people and developing your network doesn’t mean much unless you creatively and painstakingly keep the relationship going over time.
I’m always grateful to know someone’s thinking about me. Regardless of what you send, the message is clear: “I value your friendship and the relationship we have developed and I want to stay in touch.”