Synopses & Reviews
PRAISE FOR THE CONNECTORS
"The Connectors is truly a book after my own heart! BNI across the world has been built on similar concepts. This great book takes an in-depth look at what it takes to create valuable business relationships. It's packed with advice that will help you improve your current relationships and create great new ones!"
Dr. Ivan Misner, founder and chairman, BNI; New York Times bestselling author
"The Connectors helps readers put their best self forward to create strong, positive, profitable relationships. In a world where who you know and who knows you matters, Kuzmeski's great advice will help you lay the groundwork for building relationships that last."
Jon Gordon, author of the international bestseller The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel Your Life, Work, and Team with Positive Energy and Training Camp: What the Best Do Better Than Everyone Else
"Every sales superstar I have ever met knows that relationships can be developed only by becoming a master connector. You won't find a better handbook for connecting anywhere!"
George Ludwig, international speaker, trainer, corporate consultant, and bestselling author of Power Selling: Seven Strategies for Cracking the Sales Code and Wise Moves: 60 Quick Tips to Improve Your Position in Life & Business
"Ineffective connectors do not make great leaders. They do not make great entrepreneurs. They do not make great salespeople. And so on. In The Connectors, Kuzmeski presents her relationship-building formula and then chapter by chapter shows readers how to use their relationships and connections with others to take their business life to the next level. It's great advice from which we can all learn."
Quint Studer, CEO and founder of Studer Group®; bestselling author of Results That Last: Hardwiring Behaviors That Will Take Your Company to the Top and Hardwiring Excellence: Purpose, Worthwhile Work, Making a Difference
"The lessons you'll find in The Connectors are invaluable. The book is chock-full of actionable advice that teaches readers how to use their own talents and unique qualities to positively impact others and thus improve their bottom line. Kuzmeski's promised result is simple. By branding yourself as a true connector, you can keep them coming back to you time and again without ever having to ask. If you want to learn how to truly connect with your clients, employees, coworkers, or anyone in your business life, read this book!"
Robin Fisher Roffer, CEO and founder of Big Fish Marketing; author of?Make a Name for Yourself: 8 Steps Every Woman Needs to Create a Personal Brand Strategy for Success and The Fearless Fish Out of Water: How to Succeed When You're the Only One Like You
Synopsis
Learn the relationship-building secrets that lead to lifelong clients, repeat customers, and endless referralsIn today's commoditized marketplace, no matter what product or service you sell, there's probably someone somewhere able to offer it cheaper, faster, and maybe even better. So how do you differentiate yourself from your competitors? The Connectors shows that the only thing that truly sets you apart is the quality of your relationships with your clients and customers.
Everyone knows that relationships are important in business. Yet most people would admit that their relationships could be better—but don’t spend time working on the underlying skills. This book explains how to develop better, more profitable connections—as illustrated proven by some of the world’s most successful professionals. Even if you're not a “people person,” you can dramatically grow your business or your career through a few simple approaches to relationship-building.
The Connectors presents a five-step methodology that lead to lifelong clients, repeat customers, and endless referrals. Inside, you'll learn how to:
- Stop networking and start truly connecting
- Create an avalanche of referrals and an army of happy customers
- Become a "connector," even if you’ve never been a "people person"
- Find your social IQ—and improve it
- Put relationship-building principles to work daily
- Focus on others and reap the rewards yourself
- Ask the right questions—and sell without selling
- Differentiate yourself through the impact you have on others
In The Connectors, Maribeth Kuzmeski, founder of Red Zone Marketing, LLC, and consultant to Fortune 500 firms, shows you how to build profitable, long-lasting business relationships.
Synopsis
What makes the world's most successful individuals so good at their jobs? What do they do that others don't?
The Connectors answers those questions with the kind of straightforward wisdom that business strategists so often overlook. Forget marketing tactics or business school best practices. Those are handy, but it's really peopleand the relationships you build with themthat form the cornerstone of long-term success, sales growth, and excellence. Whether you're a salesperson, an entrepreneur, or an executive, your ultimate job is to bring in clients and keep them.
Competition is brutal. No matter what you sell, there's probably someone somewhere selling it cheaper and faster than you can. So how do you differentiate yourself from your competitors? The Connectors uses practical exercises and case studies to show you how to set yourself apart from the rest by building high-quality, profitable relationships with your clients and customers.
The Connectors presents a five-step methodology that helps you build the kind of high-quality relationships that lead to lifelong clients, repeat customers, and endless referrals. Inside, you'll learn how to:
Stop networking and start truly connecting
Create an avalanche of referrals and an army of happy customers
Become a "connector," even if you've never been a "people person"
Find your social IQand improve it
Put relationship-building principles to work daily
Focus on others and reap the rewards yourself
Ask the right questionsand sell without selling
Differentiate yourself through the impact you have on others
In addition, The Connectors includes a wealth of valuable relationship-building tools, including tips on using software; smart strategies for keeping in touch; speaking tactics that really work; and self-coaching exercises that will change the way you develop relationships.
About the Author
Maribeth Kuzmeski, MBA, is the founder of Red Zone Marketing, Inc., which consults to Fortune 500 firms on strategic marketing planning and business growth. A frequent national media contributor and international speaker, Maribeth shares her research and case studies on what is working today in sales and marketing. She has a degree in journalism from Syracuse University and an MBA from The George Washington University. Maribeth lives in the Chicago, Illinois, area with her husband and two teenagers.
Table of Contents
Introduction ix
PART I Winning Business with Relationships.
CHAPTER 1 The Common Denominator of Greatness and Success: It’s Not Money, It's People! 3
CHAPTER 2 You Can Be a Connector Even If You're Not a Natural People Person: How Social Intelligence Makes a Major Difference in Business 19
CHAPTER 3 The Connector IQ Assessment: Am I Socially Intelligent? 31
CHAPTER 4 The Red Zone Connectors Formula: The Principles for Building Valuable Relationships 42
PART II How Do They Do It? The 5 Traits of Connectors.
CHAPTER 5 Develop a True "What's in It for Them" Mentality: Focusing on Others Brings More for You 53
CHAPTER 6 Listen! Curiously Listen! 65
CHAPTER 7 Important Questions to Ask That Attract Connections 83
CHAPTER 8 Getting the Sale to Close Itself: Using Creative Strategies to Sell Without Selling 96
CHAPTER 9 Create a Memorable Experience: Differentiating Yourself by the Impact You Leave on Others 106
PART III Applying the 5 Connector Traits.
CHAPTER 10 Gain a Stream of Profitable Referrals: The Litmus Test for Relationship Success 125
CHAPTER 11 The Employee Connection: The Critical Factor in Creating Clients for Life 138
CHAPTER 12 I Don't Have Time to Connect! Finding the Time to Connect with an Already Busy Schedule 147
CHAPTER 13 Find a Mentor: The Influence that Leads, Motivates and Holds You Accountable 154
CHAPTER 14 Women's Organizations: Fulfilling a Unique Need for Women to Connect 164
PART IV Power Tools for Relationship Building.
CHAPTER 15 How to Get the Most from Outlook, ACT, and Other CRM Software: Strategies for Organizing and Tracking Relationships 175
CHAPTER 16 Christmas Cards Don't Work: Meaningful Strategies for Keeping in Touch 182
CHAPTER 17 Using Speaking Skills to Develop Relationships: Simple Strategies to Connect Powerfully When Speaking to Small and Large Groups 191
CHAPTER 18 Connecting through Social Media Technology: How to Get the Most Out of Facebook, LinkedIn, and Other Social Networking Sites 200
CHAPTER 19 The Contrarian Networking Strategy: Create Truly Effective Networking Not Focused on Networking 212
CHAPTER 20 Coaching Your Way through to Better Relationships: A Self-Coaching Exercise for Improving Business Relationships 222
CHAPTER 21 Financial Advisor Relationship Strategies: A Niche-Based Look at Connecting with Dramatic Sales Results 235
Notes 248
Index 251