I’m fascinated by the concept of business networking & business communities.
When I was a lass (many moons ago) my Dad would go ‘to see a man about a dog’ – it was a saying I heard many times which meant something was needed & he was going to meet someone to discuss this. My Dad started his own business, sand blasting coal blackened terraced houses in the 60s to make ends meet. He was a carpenter by trade and as times changed he had to adapt to his surroundings and look for other ways to earn a living (sound familiar?).
How did my Dad find clients? How did he find suppliers? Where did he buy his equipment from? He went ‘to see a man about a dog’! In other words he used his networks. He went out to talk to people, who knew people who wanted his services, could supply him with his equipment etc. People who knew my Dad knew he did a good job, at a good price. He worked on his customer service and delivered!
He knew if he gave great service then guess what they’d tell their neighbours, the man down the pub, the woman in the corner shop, the lady at bingo etc etc.
What Dad also understood is that if you help others, guess what? YOU get something back – satisfaction, a sense of worth & a warm heart. Give freely and don’t look for something in return. Just be happy to have helped another person along the way.
To me that’s what networking, business communities, contacts are all about. Looking for ways to help others.
So what’s changed in today’s world? Not a great deal other than the tools we use. We no longer go down the pub but we do get together through online social networks & networking events. We’re building communities online and taking these ‘offline’ aka meeting up.
Belonging to a community gives people a chance to get to know each other that bit better. What do we have in common, do we have the same work ethics. We judge each other on our morals, ethics, values.
It’s only when we get to know someone’s work ethics and what value they can add do we feel comfortable in recommending them to our networks. We feel (and are) judged by others on who we recommend. If you recommend someone to complete a job for one of your business contacts only to find that the job wasn’t done to a particular standard (1) how does that make you feel? (2) do you think that person would ask you to recommend someone in the future? (3) will your work be judged against the same standard?
Lots to consider when recommending others so it’s important you get it right – right?
22 Responses to “Off to see a man about a dog!”
Thanks for this blog, I enjoyed reading it.
My dad was exactly the same. “Off to see a man about a dog” was a phrase I heard a lot when I was growing up…and one that I sometimes use today.
Networking has changed a little bit, but you’re absolutely right…the fundamental thing remains the same. Engaging with people. That can be done in person or on line… we just need to make the effort.
Hi Barbara,
I haven’t heard anyone use the phrase in a long while. Good to hear that you do – keep it up!
janet
Hi Janet
I’m so glad that you chose to tag this post with the word values as well as ethics and morals. Your dad sounds like a man who knew what his values were and lived them out in his way of doing business. And I think one of the values you’re pointing to here is authenticity – when people are truly themselves then we can see them for what they are – and happily recommend them to others.
Hi Tilla,
I like your thinking. You’re absolutely right it is all about authenticity. I think I’m a pretty good judge of character and can generally suss out when someone’s not being totally honest and upstanding with me!
Regards
Janet
So true, but is it not true that things are still done as they were in the past but just adapted to suit the time; technology and ways of working.
I do believe we still “see a man about a dog” when we go meet people in all areas of our life; it’s amazing who we talk to, about what and how things turn out in the end.
Fascinating how life turns out.
Michelle
Hi Michelle,
As you say, it’s amazing how life turns out. I’ve learnt to ‘go with the flow’ and enjoy the journey.
Cheers
Janet
It’s true – the combination of using your contacts and always delivering on your promise (or over delivering) is no different now from years ago. The media may have changed, but the methodology’s the same. What’s an interesting conundrum, however, is how quickly we feel we ‘know’ someone we’ve met online or even face to face in a formal networking group, even though we may not have used their services. Has anyone ever introduced people they’ve met this way to one another and then wished they hadn’t? A personal recommendation is a really powerful thing when it works well for everyone. An introduction, on the other hand, is just that.
Hi Rachel,
Even though it’s much easier to get to know someone these days with the help of online social networking. It’s still hugely important that we progress this online connection to the next stage and meet up face to face (wherever possible).
You’re right to point out that there is a difference between a recommendation and an introduction. Third party recommendations are very powerful. People are more likely to engage with someone if they have been recommended by one of their trusted contact than an advertisement or a ‘sales pitch’ from the person themselves.
Regards
Janet
I agree Janet!
Your father’s approach is very much my own.
People are always scared of speaking to solicitors (I am not sure why most of us are extremely friendly people), I certainly find that if I have developed an ‘online’ community taking it ‘offline’ I am more likely to have a frank and full discussion with a client about their concerns and what they wish to achieve. This is primarily because we have already built a relationship of trust and they are fully aware that I will not charge them until I am fully aware of their needs and the action that needs to be taken!
Speaking ‘with a man about a dog’ is a concept which I believe is very much alive today.
Kindest regards,
Samira
Thanks for your comments Samira. It sounds like you have the added challenge of breaking down the invisible wall before people will fully open up to you. Never really considered that before so thanks for sharing this. Interesting!
Regards
Janet
This is really interesting! I read an article very recently, about how as business people we encourage others to ‘like’ our FB pages (the modern way of networking), and follow us on Twitter, but these hollow ‘likes’ are meaningless because they are insincere. If you really connect with your audience (be that online or in the pub), and do it sincerely, then it will make all the difference.
Best wishes,
Sarah
Ah Sarah, a woman after my own heart! I cannot bear it when people ask others to ‘like’ their FB Page. If you have to ask there’s no value to the ‘like’ (as you rightly pointed out). Sincerity all the way!
Regards
Janet
Hi Janet
Great post! As with each generation they tend to think that they invented the idea, whatever it may be. We didn’t invent networking, the technology we use has changed but all businesses have always depended on networking and relationship building. People don’t buy products or services, they buy people and how you interact and develop your relationships with your prospective clients can make or break the sale. A friend of mine likens it to dating – saying you have to woo your clients before you move in for the kiss!
Hi Rachel,
That’s so true about people buying people not products or services. I always value someone who is honest, straight talking & open with me and I am always the same with my prospective clients.
All good relationships are build on trust, openness and honesty whether that’s a business relationship, a friendship or a partner.
Cheers
Janet
This is about quality not quantity isn’t it? Some people pride themselves on the number of followers they have on social media, but how can they have real meaningful relationships with them? And does it serve any purpose beyond boosting their ego?
And I love the dating analogy Rachel.
Good to see so many different responses to your thought provoking blog Janet!
looking forward to more
Jenny
Hi Jenny
Thanks for the comment.
You’re so right – it is about quality not quantity. There’s nothing wrong with having large numbers of followers but it is about the engagement and meaningful relationships.
Janet
Well, I have to make a huge confession and admit that I have asked people to like my NLPeze facebook page! Feel very naughty now! The main reason was once it gets to 30, then could see the activity! Still have a lot to learn as far as social media goes!
My dad was much the same, he always seemed to be helping people out at weekends with jobs, especially farmers as he was brought up on one!
I guess as well for us “baby boomers” our parents had to do a lot of going out and about to meet people, no internet and if you had a phone, you were considered very “posh” and TV was something that was still in its early days! I remember my dad would always strike up conversation with people he didn’t know, many becoming good friends over the years! He was a very active “networker” bless him! Although my mum would call him nosy!!
Thank you for such an interesting post. I think people forget that whilst networking can take many forms it all begins with the investment we make in creating genuine relationships and the amount of rapport we build.
“People don’t care how much you know – until they know how much you care”. Sounds like that sums up your father’s approach
Hi Janet,
What a lovely insightful and nostalgic blog. I really enjoyed reading that. All we have to do is look back and observe sometimes. Fascinating.
Paula
While the whole world goes diigital, we sometimes forget the power of face time AND the handwritten note! I recently got a note from a potential vendor who had given us a press tour. The next print project I have that fits their model goes to them for the win!
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