Expanding Your Business Network with Your Target 25 Model

Connections matter, and networking isn't an optional activity or something to do when you “have time”—it's a cornerstone of business success, especially for online service providers and aspiring (and current!) Directors of Operations. But not all networking efforts are created equal, and that's where the "Your Target 25" model comes into play. Especially when you need to grow the number of connections you have.

What is Your Target 25?

Your Target 25 is designed to help you focus your efforts and make the most impact. You may have heard of the Dream 100 list, where you connect with 100 people who are good referral partners or who you’d love to work with. But 100 feels daunting and I know that many people focus on the list, rather than the action needed. So we’ve reduced that to a more targeted list of 25.

Rather than haphazardly connecting with everyone in your industry, Your Target 25 concentrates on three categories of people: warm, cold, and dream contacts. By deliberately choosing who falls into these categories, you’ll be able to allocate your time and resources more wisely and get better results without it feeling overwhelming.

Warm Contacts

These are people you already know and have some form of relationship with. Warm contacts could include:

• Current and past clients
• Industry colleagues you've met at conferences
• People you've collaborated with on projects
• Friends who are also in the business arena
• People who have participated in summits you’ve attended or spoken for

Your focus with warm contacts should be on deepening existing relationships. Look for opportunities to collaborate, refer clients to one another, or simply catch up to discuss industry trends.

Cold Contacts

Cold contacts are individuals you don't yet know but who are aligned with your business goals. They may include:

• People whose names you’ve heard a lot but haven’t connected with yet
• People you've identified as influencers in your industry
• Business owners with complementary services
• Guests on podcasts you listen to frequently

Since you don't yet have a relationship with these individuals, the aim is to initiate one. This could involve commenting on some social media posts, sending an email about how something they’ve done has impacted you, visiting their brick-and-mortar (if they’re local), etc. Remember, the goal isn’t to sell them on your services immediately but to establish a connection and identify mutual interests.

Dream Contacts

These are your "pie-in-the-sky" people—industry leaders, sought-after clients, or even mentors who you'd love to connect with. Your dream list might include:

• CEOs of companies you admire
• Thought leaders who have inspired your business journey
• High-profile professionals who could significantly impact your business if a relationship were to be established

Connecting with a dream contact might seem scary, but remember that they too were once where you are. Reaching out in a sincere, respectful manner can sometimes yield surprising results.

How to Make Your Target 25 Work for You

Start by listing out names under each category. Prioritize these based on who you believe can add the most value to your business and vice versa. Once you have your list, allocate time in your calendar for regular follow-ups and engagements with each contact. And remember that your list will evolve; it doesn’t have to be complete in order for you to start taking action. Start today!

The key to making Your Target 25 work is in the follow-through. This is not a one-off activity; it's an ongoing process. Just like you wouldn't water a plant once and forget about it, nurturing these relationships requires consistent and meaningful interaction.

So, if you're looking to expand your network and ultimately grow your business, the Your Target 25 model provides a strategic approach to achieve this. Whether you're a seasoned Director of Operations or an online service provider aspiring to greater heights, this model is a practical tool to maximize your networking efforts.