Volunteering for a Networking Group


When is it appropriate to volunteer to take a position in the group?

Have you heard the saying that "the fastest way to get anything done is to ask a busy person"? It is very true. What it actually boils down to is the fact that busy people are often very well organized and have the ability to delegate some of their tasks. A busy person can usually fit more into their schedule than most people. For example, I am working a full time job which takes at least 55 hours a week, plus I am completing studies for a doctoral degree. That seems like a busy person but that is not all I have on my plate: I also own a company that provides sales process consulting, I volunteer as the Historian for my Rotary District, I make time to exercise twice daily, I tend to my family and write books. On top of all this I still have time to volunteer for committee work at the Chamber of Commerce and spend time with my family. How do I accomplish so much? I organize my day and my week ahead of time and slot everything into its place.

I feel that when you volunteer for an organization, it is your opportunity to put something back instead of always taking; it has its own rewards and it brings in more business. It is an opportunity to lead, support and nurture a group.

Busy people will often have more than most can handle and they still take on more; one might surmise that they belong to an overachievers club. Although this may be true, we can all learn from their organizational skills. It is through their work ethic that they are able to form great business relationships. Busy people can still say no if they have too much on their plate.

Bette Daoust, Ph.D. has been networking with others since leaving high school years ago. Realizing that no one really cared about what she did in life unless she had someone to tell and excite. She decided to find the best ways to get people's attention, be creative in how she presented herself and products, getting people to know who she was, and being visible all the time. Her friends and colleagues have often dubbed her the "Networking Queen". Blueprint for Networking Success: 150 ways to promote yourself is the first in this series. Blueprint for Branding Yourself: Another 150 ways to promote yourself is planned for release in 2005. For more information visit http://www.BlueprintBooks.com