Virginia Lang - HERLIFE Magazine

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herlife spotlightNetworkProfessionals, Inc.The Power of NetworkingBy Kristen Do yl ePhotos provided by Diana Arro yoBrookteam Corp, Boca RatonAs a young girl growing up in the Nation’s Capital,Charlie Martin learned at an early age howpowerful the act of networking and buildingrelationships can be and has been on a lifelong journey to sharewith others how this can work for them.Charlie is the Regional Director of Network Professionals,Inc. of Palm Beach County (NPI) whose mission statementreads, “A select group of highly motivated men and women, onein each professional category, who bond together for the solepurpose of helping each other succeed in business by networkingthrough the exchange of qualified business referrals.”NPI chapters meet on a weekly basis in a very structured,professional setting. What takes place at the weekly NPI meetings?Charlie explains, “During the meetings, each membergives a 60-second infomercial update on their services. On arotating basis, members give a 20-minute presentation lettingus know about their services and who would be a good referralfor them. It is through this education process, the membersbecome each other’s sales force. They learn how to listen totheir clients, friends and family for needs that can be referred totheir fellow members. Group dynamics and synergy provide thesetting to make this happen.”“Last year alone, NPI members in Palm Beach Countypassed on over 72,000 business referrals…if your businessisn’t getting a part of that, you are missing out on tremendousopportunity.”For Charlie and the members of the NPI, referrals havecreated their success. “Effective structured networking can bepowerful for the business professional,” shares Charlie. “Creatinglong term relationships builds business. We are thrivingbecause we have our tentacles out in the communities throughour clients, family and social contacts. NPI members havethe resources to become the person that people go to whenthey need services or products. NPI members are able to refer32 <strong>HERLIFE</strong>magazine.com
quality professionals they know, like and trust with confidencetheir referrals will be provided quality service.”Networking works, but you have to work to make ithappen. “Some people have the perception that all you haveto do is attend the meetings and everything is going to fall intoplace. That is not true,” says Charlie. “Networking takes workand it is about ‘giving.’ It is proven, the more referrals you giveand the more active you are in creating and building long-termrelationships with your fellow members, the more referrals youwill receive.”According to Charlie, her members see results by followingthe simple rules of networking. “For one, attending themeetings is essential and commitment is required. Then, byone-on-one meetings between members outside of the meetings,they learn more facts about the services. This creates thebonding relationships that encourage them to utilize and referthe services. New business always comes to those memberswho are proactive in helping others. Simply put again, the moreyou give, the more you will receive.”In addition to the chapters’ weekly meeting, each chapterholds quarterly socials when members bring spouses andsignificant others. This provides the opportunity to develop“Effective structurednetworking can be powerfulfor the business professional.”friendships in a less formal environment. Multi-chapter mixersare also arranged and members meet members from otherchapters to build more relationships and extend their spheresof influence.Charlie believes in the members of her organization andshe personally utilizes them for everything. From her painterand plumber, to her CPA and virtual assistant, when she has aneed she knows the business to call. Her spheres of influenceoutside of NPI also trust that she is “the one to go to” when theyneed services and they will be provided with professionals thatget the job done.If you want to take your business to the next level bybuilding long-term relationships with other professionals in thearea, then you want to attend a NPI meeting. See the benefitsof becoming a member. One has absolutely nothing to lose andeverything to gain.There are breakfast and lunch chapters with venues invarious locations and guests are encouraged to visit the chapterthat is most convenient to either their work or home.Charlie’s testimonial in this economy is encouraging. “Ihave never been as busy as I am right now and I want othersto experience the kind of growth and success our membersare achieving. My members do not make time to network, theynetwork all the time.”For more information about Network Professionals, Inc. ofFlorida, please visit www.npiflorida.com. You can also connectwith Charlie Martin by emailing charlie@npiflorida.com.The American Cancer SocietyWould Like to Help YouCelebrate Another Birthday!Come out and support your localRELAY FOR LIFE OF WELLINGTONMay 14-15, 2011The Village Park11700 Pierson RoadWellington, FLJOIN THE FIGHT AGAINSTCANCER!Relay For Life represents the hope that thoselost to cancer will never be forgotten, thatthose who face cancer will be supported, andthat one day cancer will be eliminated.To register your team, join the committee orfor more information, contact:Bill Smith-Event Chairat 561-654-6644Or visit: www.relayforlife.org/wellingtonfl<strong>HERLIFE</strong>magazine.com 33
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