Networking Fundamentals

Here's a great article on business networking:

How to Survive Speed Networking by Alan Matthews.
http://www.webtrafficpromotions.com/marketing/6368.php

Matthews reminds us of some of the networking fundamentals we all have been told but maybe don't actually implement. And while they are written to apply to speed networking - a timed exercise - they are also terrific truisms for any form of business networking.

Here's a quick summary:

1. Have one specific goal - decide ahead of time what you are going to promote and how, and keep it to a single purpose or message.
2. Ask them to take the action you want them to take - be specific, be direct, and always ask them to take some action that would help them, and your business.
3. Hand them something to reinforce your message - give them a business card or brochure that repeats in writing numbers 1 and 2.
4. Follow up - make contact after any networking opportunity with those you met. Just send a quick email and reinforce your message.

See, pretty simple. But how often do any of us network in that organized a fashion? Seems to me it would take little effort and make good business sense.

Tom Poorman

Banned in Boston

I read an article today entitled "Banned in Boston" on cnn.money.com. It was about a waterborne sightseeing company that is having trouble getting the permits to do business in Boston.

It reminded me of the recent debate at Zanesville City Council over rezoning the former Y property, which would have allowed an existing Zanesville business to relocate to there and expand and improve a now mostly vacant property that happens to sit in a highly visible location.

Very unfortunate, in my humble personal opinion. It sends the wrong message to expanding businesses, as did the hassle Hannon Electric received when they wanted to add on at their property in Putnam.

I am not saying that development should happen at all costs - obviously it should not. But we have to give businesses the right climate in which to grow...or they simply will not.

Fortunately there are many, many other examples of times this community has gone to bat for businesses and helped them locate here and/or grow here. The list is long.

Undoubtedly there will always be disagreements between those that support business growth and those trying to preserve something else positive about an area. Its universal and not unique to our community. So how do we balance the two important interests? I am not sure, but we had better find a way. Common sense - applied case by case - has to prevail, but we had better never lose sight of the need for a positive business climate. We had better have darn good reasons to not come down on the side of local businesses when we consider such issues.

As Plato said, "What is honored in a country will be cultivated there." And what is not, will not be. Which message do we want to send?

Its the time of year to ride the Lorena Sternwheeler up and down the Muskingum, which is beautiful. Here's a great photo of the Lorena, I think by Joe Clark...sorry if I have the photographer wrong...but in any case it illustrates what a nice time can be had on the river. This is the Lorena's 60th year, so come give it a whirl.