Laying the ground work. It's all about connecting to the right business professionals through-out Austin, Central Texas, Houston, Dallas Texas, and the U.S. Some professionals, believe their next senior or family caregiver client will come from a close tie, friendship, or strong relationship.. but I've learned over the years we also gain clients or leads from our acquaintances or those we might consider to be "weaker" contacts. Actually, what's surprised me over the years is this network of people have given me the "strongest" of referrals. What's important to remember is the flow of information. What I mean by that is the information about who you are, what you do, and how well you do it.. is sent out to business professtionals seeking your expertise.
Our stronger contacts, or friendships are close to us and share similar connections and network. Our weaker ones, however, are different from you on two levels:
1. Different from you as a person, in a different industry, another city or state.
2. Your weaker contacts have a network (those you may never have met personally) is different from your network and has access to another set of information flow - they have access to clients and other professionals you've never met.
For example, I received an email from a caregiver living in OH - now, tell me, do you think I know anyone up in OH? I know a lot of people here in Austin and some through-out Texas (but most are not strong ties). However, I've been networking via WorkingCaregiver.com through out the U.S. and have met several high quality Licensed Social Workers (Elder Care Dementia) and a wonderfully talented Geriatric Nurse up in OH. I was able to refer several family caregivers their way! And come to find out, the two of them shared the same local network! How's that for 6 degrees of separation?
That's what we're building here on Senior Services Network. It's wonderful to know that family caregivers and their loved ones can be referred to quality services, no matter what state they live in. This network and referral sharing is dependent on one thing and that's the amount of energy you put in to building relationships within the network. It really doesn't take much time and effort... just a little. And the rewards are so grand! I am enriched with all the new connections I've made online. And they continue to grow professionally in very rewarding ways.
The following keys (The Virtual Handshake) measure the relationship between you and other members in the network, whether you know them personally or not:
1. Character: Your integrity, what drives you - important to you, behavior (is it consistent?), trustworthiness - your network of business relationship can get a sense of that over time through the profile you build and what you share about yourself, goals, values, etc.
2. Knowledge, skills, interpersonal skills you've acquired and bring to their circle of network - what knowledge and skills you can share with them and their clients.
3. Relevance of the people, both acquaintances & strong relationships, what they bring to you to help you achieve your goals - remember, the acquaintances have a network of resources and help that can be directed your way.
4. Information you have about people in your network ~ what co-workers say about their work, making recommendations, etc.
5. Strength of the relationships - it's closeness can be measured in reciprocity and trust.
6. Number of people in your network, how many you know directly.
7. Diversity of the network - by geography, profession, and industry.
The keys character and competency (knowledge) are highest in ranking - for without character, no one wants to be around you. Incompetency breeds zero referrals.
Soon you will be invited to join our online Senior Services Network Community. You will then be able to search for other Senior Services Professionals based the service they provide!
Right now, I'm laying the ground.. preparing the way.. so that you have an understanding of network and how, when the ground is properly set, provides quality referrals for you. The seniors benefit too by knowing they can trust the professional. As Ralph Waldo Emerson says The whole value in the dime is knowing what to do with it.
Hoping you find value in our upcoming network. Please visit WorkingCaregiver.com and our Texas Elder Care Directory when seeking a quality business professional. If you know someone who needs immediate information on aging concerns, please direct them to 888-797-7806. Thank you for visiting. Carol
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