Reconnect with people from your past

This article is part of the series 28 Business Networking Strategies.

Would you like a quick way to expand your personal network? A way to open up new opportunities for yourself, and the people in your current business network?

One method that is often overlooked is to reconnect with people from your past. Every one of us has lost track of people we once counted as friends and/or colleagues. People who might appreciate a call from you, and a chance to catch up on old times.

In doing so, you may well discover business opportunities for each other. It's a certainty that someone they know will need the services of someone you know. It's highly likely they will need the services of someone you know, and vice versa. And it's possible they will need your services, if not now then in future.

That's 3 different business reasons for reconnecting with people you used to know.

If you generate referrals for others in your network, it doesn't immediately benefit you. What it does do is make you more valuable to those people. It ensures your call is always welcome, and that you can ask a favour if you need to.

If you generate a referral for your old friend, s/he will see it as a bonus and will be absolutely delighted. This strengthens the relationship and ensures you're top of mind when they meet somebody looking for your product or service.

The way to go about reconnecting is as follows...

• Make a list of everybody you know but are no longer in contact with
  This list should only contain people you are genuinely interested in reconnecting to. If you don't like somebody, leave them off the list.
• Don't rush this process. Invest 20 minutes a day for the next 7 days
  Keep adding names until you're sure you've listed absolutely everybody
• Use social media to find the people on your list
  Try Facebook, Friends Reunited, MySpace, Twitter, LinkedIn and others. If people in your social media network know someone you're trying to track down, ask if they're still in touch
• Ask people in your current network
  Sometimes the people in your current network know people you've lost contact with. It's surprising how often this bares fruit
• Ask your parents
  If you knew some of these people while growing up, ask your parents if they know the parents of the person you're looking for. Again, this can be a fruitful source of reconnects
• Ask your networking group
  If you're a member of a networking organisation, ask at that meeting. This might seem an unlikely strategy, but will work well in some instances. Even if you now live in a foreign country, you'd be amazed at how easy it can be to connect (see my 'unlikely' example below)
• Ask your ex
  If you're divorced but still on speaking terms with your ex, and s/he knew the person you're trying to reconnect with, ask him/her if s/he is still in touch. Or knows someone who is

An Unlikley Example

I was born in and grew up in Hamilton New Zealand (population back then was around 100,000). I haven't lived in Hamilton since 1987, and have lived in London (UK) for the last 7 years.

The odds of meeting somebody else from Hamilton New Zealand are pretty slim, and yet 2 years ago my own BNI chapter here in London had 2 members from Hamilton New Zealand. We actually went to the same school.

This is a much smaller world than we imagine. It's never a waste of time asking somebody if they know a person, even if you think it unlikely.

It's Rewarding

Getting back in touch with long-lost friends and colleagues can be rewarding in multiple ways. Even if it doesn't lead to business, this is often made up for in social benefits (e.g. reminiscing about the 'good' old days).

Try BNI West Hampstead

Are you ready to take your business networking to the next level? Click here and try BNI

We love to generate business opportunities for each other, and welcome you to join us for a meeting and see whether or not we can help you win more business. Click the link above and fill out the form.

Compiled by Wayne Davies – creator of the DIY SEO Seminar.