Networking:  It isn't who you know, it's who you know who knows who!

This article is an example of a networking tactic few people ever talk about.

Yesterday I had an idea about something which required I send someone in a public place an email.  I went to the company's website but there was no obvious way to reach the person I was trying to contact.  I knew the person had to be accessible in one way or another.

So, what did I do?

I wrote an email to the person who I knew would know how to reach them!

That's right, I found a column in the newspaper where someone covered a story on the guy I was trying to contact.  Obviously, they had firsthand personal information -- the kind of personal firsthand information you only get by knowing someone fairly well.  At the least, they had to get their information from someone who knew the person I needed to know.

So I sent THEM an email.  

What happened?

Immediate response.

I received an email back today (same day) indicating the name and P.O. box of the person who could get a letter in the hands of my original targeted person.

In one day, this is the best tip I know to better networking.  If you do not know the person you are trying to reach, find someone who does.  It is absolutely the best approach to use.

A friend of mine likes to sell to the wife of a CEO as much as to the CEO.  She'll invite her shopping, tell her tips on beauty salons, where to go for facials, massages, etc., until she is in so tight with the CEO's wife that there is no way the CEO won't give her access.

In fact, by the time she writes or calls the CEO for business, she's already on a first name basis with BOTH the CEO and his wife.  It is sincere, because she genuinely enjoys helping people.  It also works.  

One little detail I left out:

Ok, I did leave out one little detail.  I dangled that my message is something that would help the person I am targeting.  I didn't offer exactly what that message would be (the secondary contact might "borrow" my idea and thus I'd lose the reason for writing or calling) but I did entice enough to let them know I fully intended to help.

People like to help people who are trying to help others.  It is a golden rule.  And the golden rule makes this method nearly foolproof.

Enjoy and use this networking trick to your own personal success:

1.  If you don't know someone you need to reach due to an idea or need for doing business, get to know someone they might know and ask them to help!

2.  When you contact your pal of the person you're reaching, let them know you are offering something they'll care about (information, solutions, etc.).  They will not stand in your way.

We welcome your comments and success stories about business aspiration and integrating emotion and spirit into our work lives (feedback).

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