Published by: Top Immigration Lawyer M. Keil Hackley, Hackley & Robertson. P.A.
After stepping out of my comfort zone with the launch of my business networking blog series, a few forgotten truths are playing havoc with my conscience to be admitted and confessed here. While I am still of the unwavering (and admittedly cynical) view expressed in my earlier blog which opined that “general membership in an organization is close to worthless unless you are amongst the few that have found value in simply handing out your business card to strangers.” A replay of my first networking experience at a local chamber event 17 years ago reminds me that I may, in fact, be amongst the few, who benefited from a single business card exchange. It was at that chamber event I met an attorney who just weeks later engaged my legal services to obtain a U.S. visa for his firm’s foreign national employee. Soon thereafter he invited me to visit another networking organization which in stunning speed led to my firm securing its first institutional client who to this day is a top revenue generator.
Looking back, I don’t know if it was the purity of an open mind or just pure luck that a one chance meeting would be so professionally fruitful. Since that evening in 1999 when I walked into a room of 70 professionals most of whom were scurrying about to cover as much ground as possible in a two hour span, I was never again to hit that single-encounter jackpot. I learned that networking is hard work that must be made to look easy; it chews up time and money; and it comes with many disappointments before you are allowed to reap its highly sought after rewards. Over time, with a carefully crafted strategy, long-lasting professional relationships can be built. With that, clients will come. That’s why I am not prepared to walk away from the traditions that gave my firm the opportunity to flourish and to be seen as among the best immigration lawyers in the U.S. I remain active in several associations and enjoy each to the fullest.
Yes, it’s true—my newfound experience inside the Twitter universe has been enamoring. Yet, the same principles of networking apply. There is no real shortcut to building a trusting relationship. Sometimes it can be difficult to convey high ethical standards behind a computer screen. Without a doubt, there is no substitute for direct eye contact. Somewhere between the chamber and the computer lies the answer.
@ImmigrationPros and me @Keil Hackley. To see the more creative side of the Hackley & Robertson Team and track our efforts to secure equine assisted therapy certification for our mini horse follow us @GregoriousGus.
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