EVS Blog

This post is brought you you by one of my friends and colleagues, Paul Ziliak, Principle at xkZero
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The best social networker I know is my Dad, Larry Ziliak. He’s 75, retired 16 years already. Cleaning out his office at retirement I scored his typewriter. I don’t remember the brand. I’m not much of a typist and neither was my Dad.

For his whole life, my Dad has walked the neighborhoods, attended church every week, greeted family, attended ballgames and concerts, been a manager of other professionals, with an uncommon kindness. He listens intently – he doesn’t just remember names, he remembers important details about you. And he’ll ask you about those details again 20 years later even if he hasn’t seen you since then. He smiles and shakes his head when he disagrees with you, but never in a disrespectful kind of way.

He says “hello” to EVERYONE.

He doesn’t care to talk much about politics or religion except sometimes around close family.

He’s smart and was successful in his career.

He is “The World’s Best Social Networker”.

I mentioned the typewriter because my Dad, in spite of being the “Worlds Best Social Networker”, can’t type. He does not have Facebook, Twitter or Linkedin. His emails are two-three sentences long. Remember – he can’t type. His foot print on the web is nadda.

So perhaps the technology doesn’t matter. Imagine the world – right now – without Twitter, Facebook or Linkedin.

Oops, I forgot – my Dad has been retired since 1994!!! He can live without the gadgets.

But Back to Reality

Now we have this great technology! We are so L I N K E D I N ! !

I’m a junky – I can’t collect enough names!

And now that we are so hooked up, is there a way to actually put these “relationships” to good use?

If you are a service professional – sales, consultant, or otherwise – I invite you to consider this: Draw upon your awesome network and start going to in person networking events. And don’t stop going. (Be sure to meet with them IN PERSON) I repeat, meet with them in person. Branch out to supporting or tangential industry leaders. Join a group or two and really commit to meeting with them. Go with the spirit of both providing opportunities and asking for leads.

Then when you’re actually meeting with them – do what my Dad does:
· Smile and introduce yourself
· Listen intently
· Remember important details
· Find out how you can help
· Believe in what you have to offer.

If they are smart they will research you to find out if you are legit. They will start by looking you up on Linkedin. (even if you are not going to join some groups, this alone is reason enough to have a thoughtful profile).

Do I hear some groups forming out there?