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The Ten Commandments of NetworKing by Charles Ruffolo

Thursday, 28 January 2010 | Leadership Observatory

The Wall Street Journal Europe Future Leadership Institute invites thought leaders, experts and decission makers to write about leadership techniques, research and resources. The below article is about the Netherlands based "NetworKing" organisation and the "10 Commandments of NetworKing" by Charles D.A. Ruffolo.

Real Networking is becoming more and more important. Global business, the development of Social Media like LinkedIn, Plaxo, Facebook or Hyves, but also the new rules on spam and cold calling, they are all reasons to get Back to the Basics of NetworKing: who do you want to know, who should know you and how do you get in touch with them at the right moment in time?

In order to do that you need a Personal Network Plan. A structured approach that tells you how you can get in touch with those important contacts, get them convinced of your personal value to them and stay in touch on a lifetime basis.

For that reason The Network Wiser® was developed, a step by step approach that gets you the results that you want. For those professionals, either in profit or non-profit jobs, who want to be on top of things The NetworKing Academy was developed. In 12 weeks not only your own Personal Network Plan is developed, but you also learn to enhance your personal network skills as well.

A unique program that integrates the best of old fashioned networking with the use of social media. A program that makes you the King of YOUR network!

Real NetworKing is based on The Ten Commandments of NetworKing. Follow them and you will get the results you are looking for, time and time again:

  1. Who are you? Your personal statement that teases people to get curious what you can do for them.
  2. Be yourself! Authenticity pays, just as well as original added value and personal touch by YOU.
  3. Giving comes first! Your energy directed to the right persons that can give you a lifetime balance in giving and being given to.
  4. Who knows YOU? Not only your company or your job, but YOU.
  5. Be positive! Deal with people with enthusiasm, because you really care. Get the trust you want. Smiles are included.
  6. Position yourself! Use the tools to get known and be recognized as a gatekeeper in your field.
  7. ALL in? Can you really Ask the right questions, Listen attentively and Learn everything there is to know about your contacts?
  8. What can I do for you? The always relevant question that is on the tip of your tongue every time you get in touch with people.
  9. Always stay on top of things! Because you know the importance of following up on things. Either promises or spontaneous actions keep in mind you think of on the spot.
  10. Who are you again? Do you know how you are perceived in the real world as well as on line? And do you know how to affect that effectively?

Curious to know what YOUR Personal network Plan would look like and how YOU could become NetWork Wiser®?

Have a look at the site of The NetworKing Academy: http://www.thenetworkingacademy.com/ or
email Charles Ruffolo at ruf@TheNetworKing.com

The Ten Commandments of NetworKing are part of The NetWork Bible that will be published shortly.

 

BIOGRAPHY Charles D.A. Ruffolo - MPA

After Charles D.A. Ruffolo met his Dutch wife, Herma, the American soldier exchanged his hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for Nijeveen in the Dutch province of Drenthe. He served and retired after 20 years from the military and is a graduate of the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy and served as a Battalion Sergeant Major.  He earned his MBA/MPA degree in his free time in the military and fine-tuned his natural talent for linking (networking) common interests.

These items created the capital for The NetworKing BV. Ruffolo is an International Speaker, Author and Trainer that has spoken in ten countries, presents over 150 times each year and has licensed his NetworKing concept into China, Turkey, Portugal, Spain, USA and the Netherlands.  He is an active member of various business clubs and serves on numerous business clubs and boards (Membership Committee American Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands, President of the Amsterdam American Business Club, Connect International and Founder of Foundation Giving Back).

He has enriched our business environment with his talents as a professional networker. In fact, he has developed networking into a new science and the foundation of a flourishing company. In addition, he provides training courses in his field to groups and companies. Also, thanks to his knowledge of networking, which is one of the oldest professions in the world and to his inspiring enthusiasm, he is in great demand as a guest speaker. Charles Ruffolo has used the power of Internet technology to demonstrate that NetworKing is truly a business of daily necessity by starting The Network Clubs which have thousands of members around the global.

Charles has arranged for the Honorable William Jefferson Clinton, 42nd President of The United States to visit The Netherlands several times.  Additionally, Charles has successfully worked personally to bring the Dutch Postcode Lottery together with President Clinton's Foundation which donates 1.5 million euro per year for five years to his Foundation.

He has established and developed the partnership between the Dutch wind energy company, Emergya Wind Technologies (EWT) and the Clinton Global Initiative.  In 2007, he successfully negotiated a Primary Sponsorship of the Annual meeting in New York City on behalf of EWT.  Not only did he succeed in a Sponsorship, but he has also been instrumental in the commitment made and the future partnership between President Clinton and EWT.

In additional to the relationship developed between President Clinton and EWT, he was also successful in bringing together General Wesley K. Clark and EWT into a business working relationship.

Using his personal networking skills he brought Sir Richard Branson (Virgin) and Henk Keilman (RIG Investments) together which has developed into a business relationship focused on sustainability investments.

Another success story is the establishing a business relationship with Stedman Graham who has a splendid career as an international renowned diversity and leadership specialist.  Charles worked
hand-in-hand with the Netherlands organization The King Foundation/DutchVersity to build a unique partnership with The King Center and Stedman Graham.  Additionally, Ruffolo successfully established the Stedman Graham Nyenrode Giving Back Scholarship for a deserving student in the Netherlands.

With his in depth NetworKing knowledge and skills Charles is the co-Founder of The NetworKing Academy at the top business school in Netherlands, Nyenrode Business University.  This is the first NetworKing Academy of it's kind in the world.  The three month program enhances the individual's personal skills while developing their capabilities to become NetworkWiser.

Ruffolo's philosophy about Networking is a "give and take" process with people with whom you have a direct or indirect relationship.  Mutual interests support this process and finding the common ground is the key to Networking.  Networking enables you to go directly from A to Z and skip the usual path through B to Y. 

Charles's has written a book on Networking - "Network Your Way to Success" and has created a NetworKing card game called the "Ruffle Shuffle".

Charles and Herma have been married for twenty-nine years.

NetworKing is not WHO you know that counts, but WHO KNOWS YOU!


Charles D.A. Ruffolo

The NetworKing B.V.
Rijksweg 1
7948 LH Nijeveen
The Netherlands
+31(0) 522-491100 Office
+31 (0) 0522-491099 Fax
+31 (0) 650287672 Mobile
Ruf@TheNetworKing.com
www.TheNetworKing.com
www.TheNetworkClub.com
www.TheNetworKingAcademy.com

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