Business referral networking.
Networking for business and career isn’t just about after-hours gatherings, says John B. Faber, vice president and investment officer with Wells Fargo Advisors in Boca Raton.
As a founding member and president of LeTip International, Boca Raton chapter, Faber’s approach is more focused and organized, he says.
LeTip is a business referral networking group where members represent a variety of industries and professions — but only one per business category. The idea is to promote each other’s business, rather than compete. The group meets at 7:01 a.m. on Thursdays to practice elevator pitches, video tape their presentations in order to fine-tune their approach and exchange leads. Members pay $325 to join and $215 to renew, plus any local chapter fees.
Recently, members in South Florida hosted Kim Marie Branch-Pettid, owner and CEO of LeTip International, based in Mesa, Arizona. The privately owned organization founded in 1978 has 11,000 members and 600 chapters in the United States and Canada. Branch-Pettid visits local chapters to meet new members, motivate and provide tips on effective networking and leadership.
The drill down:
What compelled you to reach out to LeTip and become a founding member of the Boca Raton chapter? Because of its structure and format, I felt LeTip led to a constructive use of my time and one which maximizes the exchange of quality business leads. Weekly meetings added to the accountability of the members. They are also held to a very high standard of competence, integrity, and service. Lastly, the local chapters operate on a not-for-profit basis.
What other networking do you do for your career and business? I’m a member of the Chamber of Commerce in Boca Raton; Quail Ridge Country Club in Boynton Beach, St. Paul Lutheran School and Church and I volunteer at the Honda Classic and the World Golf Championship at Doral as a starter on the first tee.
To what do you attribute the increase in interest and membership of the group? The reputation of LeTip nationally and locally certainly helps. The exclusivity of one member per business category is attractive to many serious business people who use networking to grow their sources. The last number of years being very difficult for the economy, has driven new members our way because the organization is very much interested in helping small- to medium-sized businesses grow. Lastly, more and more people realize the benefits of networking with like-minded professionals.
How has your involvement with this group helped you in your job? The group has given me entrée to clientele I might not otherwise have had access to. It has helped me grow my practice at a substantial rate. One of our past members was a retired CEO of the Norelco Corp.
What have you learned from LeTip? It’s all about helping others, which in turn helps your own business to grow. The motto of LeTip is to Give, Get, and Grow.
What kind of training is needed to be part of a networking group? Members are taught how to give a 30-second recap of their business, how to speak publicly, showcase their business and identify their power partners. They are also taught the virtues of patience and participation as well as loyalty to their fellow members.
LeTip is a very structured group. How does that benefit members? The structure requires accountability. We embrace it for a key reason: It brings in business for our members. A team is only as strong as it weakest member. We are all accountable to each other.
10 Networking Dos and Don’ts
Do remember that networking is about building relationships first.
Do listen carefully to those you meet at events.
Do ask them what they are looking for in a business professional (in my case an investment advisor).
Look successful and have a positive image.
Do be aware that people buy from people, not businesses.
Wear a smile, you will attract people.
Don’t monopolize someone’s time.
Don’t foist your cards on others. Engage them in conversation.
Don’t treat everyone you meet like a prospect. People figure that one out quick enough.
Don’t mention your business first. Ask the other person what they do.
For more information about South Florida chapters in Boca Raton, East Broward and West Palm Beach, visit LeTip.com. OnTwitter.com/LeTipIntl Facebook.com/letipintl and LinkedIn. Call John Faber about the Boca chapter at 561-338-8082. In Fort Lauderdale call Rich Masterson at 954-205-7067. For the West Palm chapter call Roy Assad at 561-909-6132.
By Cindy Kent, Sun Sentinel4:49 p.m. EST, December 25, 2011
