Networking Tips
In my experience networking is something that most church planters struggle with. Yesterday I had the opportunity to big the brain of Todd Wilson of Passion 4 Planting and the Church Planting Network. Here are some tips I picked up from the conversation:
- Always start with the end in mind. Start by thinking through the end point first. In other words what is the point of networking with this person? Sometimes the answer is nothing other than the relationship. Ask yourself, What are the specific things I would like to ask? What does the win look like?
- Do your homework before going. Find out what you can about the person, the organization and any initiative they have regarding what you are passionate about. Has anyone else made a similar request?
- Take the general area you are interested in and pursue a conversation about what they are already doing. Let them talk and share where they are.
- Look for the intersection points. Every meeting is a discovery opportunity. Assume there is something to be discovered. Assume there is something they are thinking that is a synergy with what you are passionate about. A lot of time God is at work upstream and you don’t know about it.
- Dream with the person about linking things you know with solutions for their problems. When you take time to listen to what they are doing and what problems they have, you may discover that you already have a solution for them.
- Avoid the rabbit trails that don’t lead anywhere. Think through the 80/20 principle. What is the 20% we can do that has 80% of the impact.
- Get to the yes. What can you get them to say yes to? What is that intersection point where their need meets your solution.
- Be open to the possibility that God is doing something much bigger than you have thought. Sometimes the agenda you have for the meeting and how a partnership could develop is just the stepping stone to something bigger. Sometimes it’s a rabbit trail.
