| As business owners or managers we often find it | | | | a point to introduce yourself. Start a conversation |
| difficult, even in the best of situations to get out | | | | while you're waiting in line at the bank or the |
| and seek new business. You've probably thought | | | | Office Depot. You may never see or even talk to |
| that if you could just find a way to squeeze that | | | | these people again, but chances are good that |
| into your day without spending more time away | | | | you will. |
| from your family or working weekends, you'd be | | | | 3. Never eat alone. You have to eat and so does |
| all set, right? Guess what? You can and all that it's | | | | everyone else, so why not use that time to |
| going to take is a little preparation. | | | | catch up with friends and associates? There are a |
| 1. Keep a box of business cards in your car. That | | | | few benefits for both of you |
| way, you can always keep a stack of cards in | | | | here.<ul><li>You can keep in touch with |
| your wallet or business card | | | | people without taking a lot of time out of your |
| holder. <ul><li>The next time you go | | | | work day. </li><li>By interacting with |
| out to eat, leave a card on the table when you | | | | people that you enjoy being in the company of, |
| leave. </li><li>Drop a business card in | | | | your stress levels will go down. < |
| each bill you mail out.,/li><li>When you're | | | | li><li>Your name stays at the front of |
| at the book store, slip your card into some of the | | | | their minds - great for referrals! </li>< |
| books related to your industry. Be sure to put | | | | ul>4. Network in one non-work related |
| them near the middle of the book so they don't | | | | organization. It can be anything - a baseball team, |
| fall out when someone is casually flipping | | | | a church or charity, a community group - pretty |
| through.</li><li>Place a card rack full of | | | | much anything. The idea is to have the ability to |
| your business cards on the counter of your dry | | | | network without the usual competition that you |
| cleaner. Most of them are more than happy to | | | | would face in a Chamber of Commerce or other |
| help out a good customer.</li><li>Give | | | | business related organization. If you don't currently |
| each friend a stack of your business cards to | | | | participate in something that's not related to work |
| hand out.</li></ul> | | | | you should seriously consider it. It will help you |
| 2. Make a goal of meeting at least one new | | | | create a balance between your work and your |
| person each day. If you overhear someone | | | | personal life while opening up a channel for new |
| mention your industry or a hobby of yours, make | | | | business. |