Justin G. Roy

Networking For A Cause is having a Boston Launch Event!!

Date:  Thursday, March 26, 2009
Time:  6:00pm – 8:00pm
Location:  Red Sky Restaurant & Lounge
Street:  16-18 North Street (near Faneuil Hall Marketplace)
City/Town:  Boston, MA

Attendance is limited to 150 people, so make sure to sign up as soon as possible!

Networking For A Cause is an organization that helps non-profits create word of mouth marketing by connecting them to socially conscious young professionals. NFAC does NOT collect money or donations; we create the opportunity for people to connect in a comfortable social setting and network. Hope to see you all there!

Click here for the invite!

Jeremiah Owyang, from Web Strategy by Jeremiah posted a great chart that breaks down the usage of social media for the baby boomer generation.

“While my parents aren’t yet on Facebook, you’d be surprised on how their adoption of social media –they aren’t luddites by any means. With the president of the United States using social technologies for campaigning and his ongoing administration, Boomers retiring and wanting to stay in touch with their digitally expressive children and grandchildren, and with a recession causing need for all of us to connect to each other –expect an increase in social technology adoption across many generations.”

Click here to read the full article and breakdown of age and usage.

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see
the whole staircase.”
-Unknown Author

I’ve sat on this quote for some time now, mulling it over, trying to knowwhat it means to me.  The answer I came up with, is this quote is comparatively similar to when I tell people I like to throw spaghetti against the wall and see what sticks.

Huh?  You ask?

I enjoy trial by error.  I like to see what sticks and what reactions are.  If I could perform case studies all day, me and my pocket protector would not be happy.  Not to mention my number 2.  Ok, stereotype done.

What I mean, is, I am not somebody who is interested in a two year study to determine of I should do something.  I’m not wasting my time.  Regardless, the data and interviews you collect in the beginning could become useless and lead you down the same path as if you just strategically threw your pasta.

Ahhh, strategically.  Yes.  I am not advocating under-cooking, overcooking, or a timer.  Go with your gut. 

So far, my gut has lead me up stairs that ended abruptly, stairs where there was only one step, and currently up stairs that never seem to have an end (which, of course, I am excited about).  However, I would have never been able to find this endless staircase had I not tried a few others before.

What am I saying?  Open a door without thinking and go with your gut.  Risks are rewarded. 

Like a Choose Your Own Adventure Book; you can always flip back and take a different route.  Those who tell you otherwise, well, go say hello to them on their treadmill.

Too often, we close the sale before we even open it.

Interact first, sell second.

Seth Godin had an interest post the other day, The panhandler’s secret, on his blog.  Summary of the story is a panhandler traded him four quarters for a dollar bill (fair trade).  Then asked if he had a spare quarter.

I agree with the post by Seth here.  I know of too many people who are so sales-focused, their strategy rests solely on a yes or no.  Before taking the time to know who the person is, their company, and what they have to offer.

How can you sell your service, before you know if this person has a need or resources available?  The panhandler in Godin’s story here took the time to ensure what he was going to ask for was available.  Before trading, he did not know if Seth had a quarter; after the trade, it was much more difficult to reject the request – there was already time invested in the relationship.

For those of you who know me, understand how I network, develop business, sell, etc.  I understand that not everybody will be a good prospect, for me personally to do business with.  I did not get into recruiting for the A/E/C industry to be a vacuum salesman.

Relationships.  Develop them.  Grow them. 

A good friend lives by the following statement:  Build your herds now, and ask later. 

I’ll go out on a limb here, though I know many will disagree.  People in this economy still have money, the difference is they are spending it with their business relationships rather than who comes in at the lowest bid.  Consumers want to know their dollar is worth it and will spend an extra few pennies with the assurance of working with somebody they know.

Chris Brogan had a guest post the other day by GL Hoffman who runs What Would Dad Say.  Hoffman discusses how you can make sure you are not anonymous at work and stand out amongst others. 

This is great advice amidst our economy.  Here are the subjects Hoffman talks about (make sure you click below to read his advice on each):

• See Work
• On Time
• Be Perfect
• Can Do
• Do the job no one else wants
• Be sales minded
• Customer-focused
• Always improve
• Don’t wine, gossip or complain
• Become an evangelist

Click here to read the full post.

Ford Harding from Hardingco Blog highlighted ways to get leads from LinkedIn.  In a time where many Architecture, Consulting Engineering, Environmental Consulting, Landscape Architecture, Construction, and Real Estate firms (yes, all of them) are looking for new projects and opportunities, online social networks are gaining popularity. 

Harding discusses the following:

• Be a joiner
• Reconnect
• Answer Questions
• Make clear what you offer
• Ask for access

Click here to read the full post and advice.

Further, feel free to connect with me on the following, and make sure to say hello!

LinkedIn:  http://www.linkedin.com/in/justinroy

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/justingroy