I have the opportunity to do some traveling again. Truth be known, traveling is a passionate hobby for me. I started gathering my things together that I want to take to make sure I have some of my company brochures, definitely more then enough business cards, and several magazines about the company. I will test that my recruiting video’s are working on my Ipod so that while I am on the 4 flights (round trip) and sitting in the gate area, I will be prepared to speak with the new friends I may make along the way and if the opportunity presents, share with them my business information.
As I travel to the airport, I often find myself fantasizing about who I may meet and the surprises that unfold as I learn new things about the people I meet. This month the blog focus was about aspects of building relationships. This is where it all begins. Being open to possibilities. Being open to who you might attract into your circle. Adding a new friend as the opportunity presents itself. So in my reverie about who I want to meet I profile them. Male or female, age, interests, energy level, level of curiosity with which they approach life, affability in meeting and wanting to speak to others.
A tool I use a great deal to create lasting relationships is the The G.A.I.N.S. Profile. This was developed by Ivan Misner, founder of BNI- Business Networking International to give BNI members a guidelines for getting to know and build strong relationships with their referral marketing peer group.
The G.A.I.N.S. Profile stands for:
G oals represents learning what someone’s personal and professional goals are.
A ccomplishments
I nterests
N etworks
S kills
Once I have created rapport with my new acquaintance, my task is to get to know them. I work my way through the G.A.I.N.S. Profile. I suggest you take the Gains Profile Challenge. Next time you are in a situation with someone new, you have created rapport with this person, then test drive the G.A.I.N.S. Profile. You will definitely see a difference in the depth of relationship you are forming. And, you will learn lots of surprises you might not have uncovered by having a more casual free form conversation.
There are flights where the person I am sitting next to really wants their privacy and then there are times when the person next to me is very engaging. No matter where I am, if feels like the opportunity to meet someone new is like a gift being opened for the holidays or getting deeper into the pages of a good mystery novel. There is always an element of surprise which I find appealing and enticing. And, when I am next to someone who wants privacy, I get to prepare for the next opportunity to meet my next surprise!
Share your story of creating an engaging relationship with someone new that became a prospect and then joined your team!