For several years, I was a BNI member. I was given a business card folder with the business cards of all the people in my chapter. If I had a meeting with a client, I would present the client with my folder and ask them if they needed the services of anyone listed there.
Now I do the same thing, but using my iPhone. Typically, I will have one to one meeting with a client and they will list a particular problem e.g. they are unhappy with their accountant, they are looking for a courier, they need legal advice. All I need to do is get my iPhone out, switch on my LinkedIn app and look up the details of trusted suppliers who can help them.
LinkedIn on you mobile is equally useful at networking meetings. If someone stands up and says they are looking for a particular contact e.g. someone in hotel management, you can do a keyword search for phrases related to "hotels" and LinkedIn will find people you know who match those keywords. Finding referrals suddenly gets so much easier.
On the 2nd March, I will be presenting a joint training session with Jason Cobine on how to combine LinkedIn and effective networking to help you bring in more clients. The training will be taking place on Friday 2nd March in London’s West End. For more information, follow this link.
