Network808 business luncheon event was held on September 19,2012 at the newly renovated Pacific Club in Honolulu, Hawaii, founded in 1851. The luncheon was well attended by 40 professional networkers and 15 were newcomers to our group.

The Leadership Everyday: Mastering Your Networking consisted of three segments.  We believe that building effective business relationships is a multi-faceted model and provide for professional growth, referral exchanges, integrating technology and social media as methods of exchanging information and maintaining contact with our business friends.

Aloha and Welcome Introductions
The first segment was brief introductions.  Active participants were invited to introduce themselves and their business in 60 seconds.  A great opportunity to capture the attention of others in an entertaining and fun way, practice active listening skills and learn about each other’s services and products.

Skill Building Session
In the second segment, Vincent Molina, business strategist led a brief and information-filled session on how to identify and reach your ideal customer for higher profitability.  Vincent shared tips on “how to discover who has the highest need”.  He taught us “how to learn and segment your market”.  Vincent teaches by using active listening techniques and examples from the audience.  Then in a local “talk-story” fashion, he hones in on “how to make small changes for immediate results”.  The most important takeaway was on “How to create a simple and effective plan”.  The bottom line:  Not everyone you meet is your customer.  However, everyone you meet may know someone who is.  All active participants engaged in listening, interacting, asking questions and providing real challenges and objections on this topic.

Interactive Networking Activity
The final segment was an interactive and engaging networking activity known as the “Shaka Game”.   Participants shared what they needed next in their business, others asked questions for clarification and the room filled with laughter as networkers talk-story local-style, a natural way to connect and build stronger business relationships.  As a result, connections were made, referrals were passed out and suggestions for future one-to-one meetings were proposed.  Bottom line:  Business can happen in a fun and open-environment.

Digital Networking Headquarters
The Poken HUB station and Poken Wall was the place for curiosity.  Leonard Keao Jr. and Brandon Young educated networkers on Poken, a new technology, a digital business card and networking tool for collecting business information from each other as well as creating green events.  Some new network808ers got their Poken, created fun with other Pokenauts and the Poken Wall.  Did you know your business could network and not even attend a networking event?  To learn more contact us at www.network808.com.

Quality vs. Quantity
Building effective business relationships takes time and consistency.  The key component is to show up at the events and be an active participant.  Network808 communicates event information and posts event updates to its online global community with +2000 participants.  In fact, two guests at The Pacific Club were visiting from Switzerland and Pennsylvania with business ties in Hawaii.

Now, here’s what I consider the essence of Network808, what makes us truly unique – the Return of Value (ROV) and the measureable results of our networking event on September 19^th is as follows:

The group demographic varies sinceNetwork808 is a diversified group.  This was an interesting mix of small to large products and services, construction, commercial and residential real estate, alternative medicine, technology, beauty & spa treatments and young professionals.

Everyone asked questions to clarify and referral cards were passed around. The potential Return on Value (ROV):  $185,000 – $263,000.

 

Remember, the Lesson of the day: “Not Everyone You Meet Is Your Customer, However Everyone You Meet May Know Someone Who Is”.

Network808 believes that to accomplish its mission we need to be prepared.  Network808′s vision is to help small business and entrepreneurs thrive by the use of a strategic system using face-to-face networking, innovative technology, and Skill-building sessions to name a few.

Network808 was established to create an environment aligned with quality and value, necessary traits in building strong business relationships.  Our goal is not about filling a room with hundreds of people each month.  Network808 is the new kid on the block with an energetic spirit to bring creativity, technology and sustainability to the table for business growth and to prepare Hawaii business for future challenges and global opportunities.  The real good movements take time, persistence and commitment.

Our next event, Leadership Everyday: Mastering Your Network series (part 5 of 6) will be held on October 24^th, at The Hawaii Prince and Golf Club, in Honolulu, Hawaii.  Check out http://network808.com at “Calendar of Events”.

What are you doing now for creating new business platforms for the long term? How is that working for you…in cost…in time and in energy?  Hope you can join us and be a part of the “Future of Networking.”

Always with Aloha…My personal & warmest Mahalo extends to my amazing leadership team who make all things possible:  Brandon Young, Leonard Keao Jr., Vincent Molina, Jerilyn Jeffryes, Celyn Chong Kee, Ben Eger and Mardie Torres.  You make me want to be a better me!  Thank you so much.  If you’d like to see a well-built networking team in action, come join us and meet them.  They will amaze you too.

A hui hou ~ Gina Salvador, Founder, Network808