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Finding Customers By Networking. Chris Martin. GFI MAX – MSP Consultant. Richard Tubb. Independent Consultant. Introducing. Chris Martin GFI MAX – MSP Consultant. Richard Tubb Independent Consultant. Webinar Agenda. Why business networking works Finding networking meetings
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Finding Customers By Networking Chris Martin GFI MAX – MSP Consultant Richard Tubb Independent Consultant
Introducing Chris Martin GFI MAX – MSP Consultant Richard Tubb Independent Consultant
Webinar Agenda • Why business networking works • Finding networking meetings • In both UK and USA • Tips for attending business networking meetings • Using Social Networking • General Networking • Question and Answer
Why business networking works! • It’s all about relationships • People buy from people they like • Boost your reputation • Show off your skills • Earn referrals • Build business relationships
Finding Networking Meetings • Local Chamber of Commerce • BNI -www.bni.com • 4Networking (UK) - www.4networking.biz • Peer and User Groups – Microsoft Small Business Specialist • The first event you attend – ask which networking events have worked for others!
Prior to the Event • Make sure you have plenty of business cards • Practice your Elevator pitch • Take more than one pen! • Prior to the event, run through the attendee list • Pick out two or three people who you may have • common business ground with
Tips for “Working the Room” • Be a Go-Giver • Offer to help others first, and they will return the favour • Ask questions about the other person • Use their business card to write notes on • Do not sell!
Shy or nervous? • Look for “open” groups, typically two people talking • Ask “May I join you?” • Introduce yourself clearly • “I suppose you know lots of people here?” • Avoid “closed” groups, people standing in circles
After the Event • Schedule time within 48 hours to follow-up • Input the business card into Outlook • Refer to those notes you wrote down on their card! • Connect with them via LinkedIn • Read my blog article – “Collecting Business Cards” • http://bit.ly/tubblog-bizcards
Using Social Networking • Do not sell! • Use to educate • Add Value, not noise • It’s a two-way conversation • It’s about quality, not quantity
Social Networking Etiquette • When in doubt, treat like “real world” networking • Don’t “Friend Collect” – write personalised introductions in connection requests • Read my blog post – “Thanks for your Friend Request, but who are you?” http://bit.ly/tubblog-friendrequest
General Tips • “Be The Connector” • It’s not all about customers. Look to connect with Strategic Alliance partners too • Use a balanced “linked up” approach to networking – Face-to-Face, Telephone Calls, E-Mails, Social Networking
Any questions? • Blog – www.tubblog.co.uk • Twitter – www.twitter.com/tubblog • LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/richardtubb • E-Mail – richard@tubblog.co.uk
How the Building Blocks can help you get started • A series of discrete, pre-packaged services that the customer can easily grasp the value of • That you can sell easily • That generate recurring profits for you • Bind that customer to you • Learn about their systems • Begin changing the nature of the relationship • And migrate them to full Managed Services
What’s a Building Block? • All the information, tools and collateral needed to sell and implement a set of Managed Services • You can use to: • Attract new customers or strengthen relationships with existing customers • Easily sell a profitable service • Ease customers from break-fix to Managed Services • With NO major changes to your company • And no expensive training
Building Blocks Program – Do it your way! Lucrative but complex Lower value but simple
What’s contained in each Building Block? Example: Server Blocks – all you need to price and sell Server & Network Management 4 Real-time Server & Network Monitoring 3 Daily Server Health Check 2 Daily Server Safety Check 1
All the self-branded information and material you need Sample flyer Your Logo Here Your strap line here
Pricing calculators, sample contracts, statements of work...
GFI MAX Building Blocks summary • All the info and collateral. • To easily sell straightforward services that the customer grasps. • That bind the customer to you. • That truffle hunt and brings more incidents to the surface. • That you can make good recurring revenues and profits. • That require no changes to your business system. No training and travel and time. • That can be used to attract new customers with a straightforward service. • That start the progression to full Managed Services. GFI Max and Building Blocks are…Easy!
Thank you • You get the full system • Set up in less than 10 minutes! • No commitment • No hard sell • Or contact us for more information:gfimax@gfi.com
MSP Business Management website • Online resource to help you: • Grow your IT support company • Run your company more profitably • Deliver fast IT support and increase uptime • Minimize threats to your business www.mspbusinessmanagement.com