The Ascendence Group

Tons of articles have been written about the power of professional connections. The real-world need for a powerful network has also been validated in the world of academia.

But there is one crucial concept that is strikingly absent from this mansion-sized pile of research. There is one gaping hole that has yet to be filled…

How do you build a powerful network of your own?

A proven roadmap for intelligent networking doesn’t exist. Not one that goes beyond the mindless drivel of “reach out to friends and family.” Nothing has been created that is truly helpful for those that want to master the art of professional networking. Nothing, that is, until now.

Today, I am announcing the unveiling of TAG’s Intelligent Networking Guide. Developed in conjunction with Mark Richards of Candidate’s Chair, this guide dives deep into the mechanics of professional networking. In it, you will discover:

• How to initially reach out to a networking contact (email templates are provided).
• How to prepare for a networking meeting, including what to bring.
• Which questions you should ask (the questions are provided).
• How to structure your meeting to get the most out of it (a minute-by-minute meeting template is provided).
• How to follow-up after a meeting (email templates are provided).
• And it also covers the Golden Rule of Networking – this alone will fundamentally change the way you approach relationships, both personally and professionally.

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I decided to release TAG’s Intelligent Networking Guide for two reasons:

1. Networking is one of those critically important skills that sadly does not get covered inside the classroom. This is an educational travesty.
2. There are some huge misconceptions about networking that should be cleared up, once and for all.

The sad reality is…

Most people confuse “having coffee” with networking. This is simply not true.

There is a huge difference between “having coffee” and “getting things done over coffee.” It’s the difference between talking about a Ferrari and driving a Ferrari. One is passive, the other active. (I should know…I wasted months “just having coffee” before I realized how to take charge of a networking meeting and get things done.  It was only after learning this skill that I was able to build a valuable network of my own.)

TAG’s Intelligent Networking Guide is like giving you a Ferrari. You get all the tools you need to start building a career-enhancing, dream-job-getting network…all you have to do is start driving.

And the best part of all…you get this “Ferrari” for FREE. So check it out on the website and let me know what you think.  I have only one request…

If you find it valuable, share it with your world!

P.S. If you go to TAG’s main site, you can also view the Intelligent Networking Guide by clicking the words “Knowledge Center” in the footer below:

Are you developing meaningful relationships?

A few months ago, I wrote a post titled “An Explosion of Networking Noise“. The crux of my argument was this: we don’t need any more communication platforms – plenty already exist. What we need is to learn how to use existing platforms to build and develop valuable relationships.

This is something I’ve been thinking a lot about recently. Especially with the rise of personal branding, social networking, and most especially in this economic environment, where a powerful network can mean the difference between moving up in your career or moving back home with your parents.

The sad reality is that most of us simply aren’t very good at meeting new people, winning their support and nurturing vested interest relationships. But let me tell you…it’s not your fault! The problem is that most of us have never taken a course in “Intelligent Networking”. These weren’t skills that we were quizzed on in school. If school didn’t teach us this stuff, it must not be important, right? WRONG!

In fact, dead wrong.

Here’s a little secret: …

By now, we all know the value of personal networks: who you know in life will get you a job, help you win business and make you a more intelligent human being (assuming, of course, you aren’t networking with career criminals).

But there is another benefit to having a great network: it increases your productivity, particularly when it comes to in-person networks.

A recent MIT study found that in one organization the employees with the most extensive personal digital networks were 7% more productive then their colleagues—so wikis and Web 2.0 tools may indeed improve productivity.

In the same organization, however, the employees with the most cohesive face-to-face networks were 30% more productive. Electronic tools may well be suited to information discovery, but face-to-face communication, an oft-neglected part of the management process, best supports information integration.

Let me repeat: Employees with the most cohesive face-to-face networks were 30% more productive.

So, if you want to increase your productivity (which leads to better jobs, better pay, and a better life), start networking!

Never in the history of the world has it been easier to reach out and connect with others. We have more tools than we could ever use – and VCs continue to fund more communication platforms every day!

With so many platforms, you’d think everyone would have huge, important personal networks filled with vested interest connections.  With a huge network of “vested interest” connections, everyone should be working in their dream job, with their dream company, and be getting paid their dream salary. But alas, this is not the case. Why?

I’ve thought a lot about this issue lately. With so many platforms for communication, why do we continue to struggle to make meaningful connections with others? It makes me wonder…

…could it be that these platforms just create more networking noise? …

In a sea of white sheep, how can you stand out?

In 2005, Accenture teamed up with Robert Cross from the University of Virginia and Thomas Davenport at Babson College to answer an important question:

What distinguishes the top performers from everyone else?

What they found is insightful. Their research suggests that the strongest performers share three distinguishing characteristics:

1. A capacity to learn from experience effectively and efficiently
2. Large and diverse personal networks, and a dedication to developing them
3. Access to fluid and customized information environments

At this point, you’re probably thinking, “Great, so what does this mean for me?” Well…

• Do you have access to the experiential knowledge you need to become a top performer?
• Do you have access to a large and diverse professional network?
• Can you tap into trusted sources for personalized information?

If not, then how will you ever stand out from the other white sheep? Hint: TAG is here to help you.

P.S. Want to get more info on how you can become a top performer? Click here.