Networking - Giving Feedback

Networking  - Giving Feedback

By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting (Pty) Ltd

Dr. Renate Volpe, in her nugget cards entitled “Networking Tips” says:

“Provide constructive feedback to people in your network, that they can use to enhance their businesses.”

As some of you know, I recently had my website revamped (go check it out on http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za – sign up, it’s free).  One of the things that I was now able to add onto my site is a ‘Testimonials’ page.  I then sent out an e-mail to my entire database asking everyone to send me a testimonial.

The response was both unexpected and even a little overwhelming.  In fact, there were several occasions where I was a little damp around the eye area, although I am not admitting to anything you understand.

You see, since  2003, when I started this particular journey, I have handed out probably more than several thousand referrals and I have connected people, not only locally, but also across borders, across continents and even across time zones.

Sure there have been instances where I have had a ‘thank you’ mail or call and even more rarely, I have actually received a ‘feedback’ of sorts, where I have been told that they have actually met up with the person and they are now doing business together.  Sadly though, these are very few and far between.

So I am sure you can only imagine my shock when I received hundreds of mails and testimonials and the content of many of them evidenced the difference I had made in the lives of these people.  It was a truly humbling experience and one that I will never forget.

It would be really great though, to have this experience (although on a much lesser scale) on a more regular basis and without me actually having to ask for it.

I must say though, that although my database works really hard for me and I have no problem with referring people – those who have thanked me and those who have given me feedback, somehow stick more clearly in my mind.  I do know that I get a real sense of pleasure when I am able to refer them.

So remember the person who gave you the connection and the referral in the first place.  They have given you something of theirs that they have worked very hard for and that they treasure – have the good manners to, at the very least, thank them.  They deserve it don’t you think?

For more information on Renate, please visit her website at http://www.drrenatevolpe.co.za

Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za  or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za