From very early on we learn to associate only with people we know. For example, didn’t your mother tell you NOT to talk to strangers? And while that’s great advice for a child, it’s not terribly productive in the business world. In business, you do have to reach out to people you don’t know. Still, most small business owners and b2b professionals are more likely to do business with people they know or people who know people they know.
A recent LinkedIn survey bears that out, indicating that only 4% of business-to-business buyers “had a favorable impression of a salesperson who reached out cold.”
On the flip side, same survey also noted “87% have a favorable impression of a salesperson who was introduced to them through someone in their professional network.
Here are some other interesting numbers from that article:
- 59% of buyers are more likely to engage with a salesperson if he/she mentions a common colleague
- 69% of buyers are more likely to engage if the salesperson is recommended to them by somebody in their professional network.
My Pinnacle Network is based largely on the premise that b2b professionals, in particular, prefer to do business with people they know. And if they don’t know somebody, they feel better about it if that person/business is referred by someone they know. So when you join a My Pinnacle Network, you’re connected not only to the individuals in that room, but people in their network.
LinkedIn is a major part of the network that our members bring to the table. Yet many networkers aren’t really sure how to get the most out of this resource. That’s why My Pinnacle Network is hosting a LinkedIn workshop on Thursday, May 28, 8am, at the Comfort Inn in Randolph.
Eric Warner of Praxis Growth Advisors will host the session. A light breakfast will be served and a photographer, Nicole Connolly of PhotoFabulousYou will be available to take head shots for your LinkedIn account.
The cost to attend is just $9.95 (Eric runs this session on a corporate basis for as much as $75 per person). The cost to have your photo take is $40, $60 for a retouch.
To register, please follow this link or e-mail sdubin@mypinnaclenetwork.com. Seating is limited, so do not delay.
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