Networking 101: How Far Will You Go?
- November 25th, 2007
- View Comments (5)
This weekend I’m traveling about an hour or so away from home in order to find new leads. Why? Why would I do this? It’s because I like to “think nationally.” You may have heard me say that before on my blog. It’s like thinking globally, but in MK-speak, that is nationally because one day, I would love to be an NSD. That is going to take me years. I’m not naive to that fact. But, when we make big goals, we have to be realistic when we are creating them and determining how much work it will take.
I have a fabulous CD by NSD Linda Toupin. The CD is called “Everything I Need to Know I Learned at a Skin Care Class.” I may have mentioned it here. Towards the end of this recording, Linda instructs her audience to take out a blank sheet of paper. She then tells them to draw a circle filling the entire paper. Next, she asks, “raise your hand if you are willing to drive 30 minutes to a skin care class. Keep your hands up if you would drive an hour…” She continues to 3+ hours. She tells her audience to place a dot in the center of the circle they’ve drawn and write next to it, the name of the town where they live. The large circles represents the maximum timeframe one would drive. So, if you’re willing to drive 2 hours to a skin care class–and I am–the circle represents a 2 hour radius from your home. She then tells them to take time to fill in the circle with all the towns they can think of within that radius. She asks the question, do you think you can build a national area in that span? 
Another fantastic piece of media is “Booking” featuring Gloria Mayfield Banks. This CD (also mentioned here) focuses primarily on team building (but that’s part of building nationally, now, isn’t it?). On this disc, Gloria Mayfield Banks states that she will drive 3 hours if she thinks someone is a good potential team member.
If you have a large goal like, Director, then you may want to think about how far you are willing to travel for your business. It’s part of the job and part of the work. I strongly feel that in order for me to meet my goal of director, I need to travel at least an hour in order to stretch my business scope. Why? Well, there are many reasons. The area where I live has several directors in close proximity. It’s difficult at times to find people who don’t already have a consultant. It’s not to say they aren’t out there, but in the grand scheme of things, I need to reach beyond my regional boundaries in order to reach the numbers.
For right now, I’m willing to drive up to 1.5 hours. That should give me enough range to get myself into DIQ and most likely driving free. I’m very excited about the event coming up. I want to book many appointments from it. My plan is to perhaps designate one weekend or two each month to travel to that area. As I build my team out there, my need to travel declines, but I have done my job by building my area. 
So, that is my philosophy. Any directors care to share some input? Feel free! I have this big event this weekend and then in January I have a bridal show that is local. I feel both will boost me into business!
Tags: Business Building, Communication, DIQ, Dreams, Hard Work, Media, NaBloPoMo, Networking, NSD's, Team Building, Work Ethic
Linda J
MJ
Jessica
beautyinpink
elaine
Stumble It!
I know too of Avon ladies (in the case of where I come from) being very much in control of their lives and their love for the people around them. One of them became a highly respected manager! My password for motivating myself is “Go the distance” from the Michael Bolton song (complete with triumphant trumpet blasts lol
). More workplace motivators here.
I wouldnt mind having recruits 2 hours away and if I was working on National Id have some of them in 5 states. I think its good to branch out but if I were going to I would have 5 in a state or one big superstar who was far away. Actually thinking about this soon gets you in the mindset for it.
Great idea! Hey, as long as you work it smart, why not? (By work it smart, I mean, book a full day in the other area so you are not wasting time & resources.)
You go girl!
Thanks for the encouragement, Myst! The past day or so I was having doubts like maybe I was making a mistake venturing so far, but I do have a plan to book appointments for full days at a time maybe once or twice a month. I just hope I get some good leads from the event.
hearthealth–I really like your password “go the distance!”
Colleen–I agree that thinking ahead creates momentum.
When you live in a small or rural area, you really need to branch out. Just work it smart as Myst suggested no matter where you live. Rena used to say to be N.S.D. you need about 8 area’s and some Directors say when Local area is content or not doing much, the out of town area will be jumping. I know in my experience this has been the case…now to just get them all jumping at the same time.. Seriously, this is good for building a team. Sometimes just one recruit will do wonders in a different area for your team or unit in the making.