Be Your Own Chief Networking Officer

There’s a new position opening in many large companies: the Chief Networking Officer (CNO). Do you need someone to fill this position? Or can you do it within your company? The role of the CNO is to mainly build word-of-mouth referrals. Here are a few ways you can be your own CNO:

1. Participate! Go to a few networking events each month. Strategically choose which events to go to and whom you want to meet. After you’ve met some new contacts and prospects, be sure to follow up. Set up a coffee or lunch with some of your prospects to learn about their business and how you can support them.
2. Maintain! To keep on top of people’s minds, you need to maintain the relationship. Make a point of calling a few contacts each week to touch base or send out a greeting card a few times throughout the year. Keep in touch regularly! It’s just as important to maintain relationships as it is to generate referrals.
3. Be thankful! Be sure to always thank your referral source and make sure they know that their contribution was appreciated.

So, there you have it, be your own CNO by creating and maintaining relationships. I know that many of you have already heard this advice a few times – so go out and actually implement it!