Mastering the Business Mixer

Dr. Ivan Misner, author of the New York Times bestseller Masters of Networking, says at the core of creating a positive message and delivering it successfully is making contacts that turn into relationships. Those contacts can be made at events like a Chamber of Commerce mixer or even an open-house party.

Mastering the Business Mixer

(San Dimas, California) -- Word-of-mouth has always been one of the best and most cost-effective ways to build a business, but many professionals are stumped when it comes to creating a successful word-of-mouth campaign.

Dr. Ivan Misner, author of the New York Times bestseller Masters of Networking, says at the core of creating a positive message and delivering it successfully is making contacts that turn into relationships. Those contacts can be made at events like a Chamber of Commerce mixer or even an open-house party.

To make the most of those opportunities, Misner has identified 10 simple Commandants:

1.   Have your networking tools with you at all times.
2.   Set a goal for the number of people youll meet.
3.   Act like a host, not a guest.
4.   Listen, and ask the five W" questions: who, what, where, when and why.
5.   Give a lead or referral whenever possible.
6.   Describe your product or service in 60 seconds.
7.   Exchange business cards with the people you meet.
8.   Spend 10 minutes or less with each person you meet.
9.   Write comments on the backs of the business cards you collect.
10.   Follow up with the people you meet.

Today, more than ever, businesses need an edge over their competition," said Misner, dubbed the Networking Guru" by Entrepreneur magazine. Establishing a word-of-mouth-based business requires getting out of your cave and getting belly to belly with other business professionals."

Misner has dedicated his professional life to the study of networking. In 1985, he founded BNI (Business Network Intl.), the worlds largest referral organization with a presence in 14 countries that includes 2,700 chapters.

There are more than 80 chapters in the Greater Los Angeles area alone, where BNI was started, and more are being added. In the past year, Orange County has started 10 new BNI chapters.

Since BNIs inception, members have referred almost $1 billion worth of business to other members. For more information about BNI, visit www.bni.com.

If you would like to schedule an interview with Dr. Misner, who is also on the business faculty of Cal Poly University, Pomona, or find out about specific BNI chapters in your area, call Olivia Mayer at 303.796.9469.