This post is part of our series, “Effective Networking Strategies in 4 Simple Steps,” where we walk through how to turn casual contacts into true Champions for your business using the H7 Connect, Serve, and Ask® framework.
Develop your Champion Workshop details:
📆 When: 2nd Thursday of each month
🕓 Time: 11 to 12 pm ET
🌐 Where: Over zoom
👉 RSVP here to join the fun! (H7 members only)
Step 1 is where everything begins: The Initial Connection with Another Member.
Stop Hunting Referrals. Start Identifying Champions.
Your journey with a future Champion almost always starts the same way—at an H7 meeting or other networking groups. But the way you think in that room determines whether you walk away with just business cards… or with the beginning of a powerful Champion Relationship.
Most people enter a networking room asking, “Who can send me referrals today?”
In H7, we challenge you to shift that mindset to:
“Who in this room could become a Champion for my business over time?”
A Champion isn’t just someone who passes you a name now and then. A Champion is a trusted partner who understands your business, believes in your value, and actively looks for ways to open doors for you—and you do the same for them.
What to Look for in a Potential Champion
As you listen to introductions, stories, and conversations, pay attention to:
- Centers of Influence (COIs): Are they connected to your target markets or industries? Do they regularly interact with the people or companies you want to reach?
- Overlap and Alignment: Do your worlds overlap enough that you could genuinely help one another? Do your values, approach, or client focus naturally complement each other?
You’re not looking for “everyone.” You’re looking for the right people—those who could become long-term collaborators, not just quick transactions.
The Most Important Step Before You Leave the Room
Before the meeting ends, do one critical thing:
Schedule a Connect, Serve, and Ask® One-to-one.
Don’t start passing introductions or asking for referrals yet. That’s like asking someone to vouch for you before they even know you.
Trust comes before transactions.
You don’t want a brand-new contact making introductions for you without:
- Knowing who you serve
- Understanding what you do best
- Feeling confident and comfortable attaching their name to yours
And the same is true in reverse—you shouldn’t risk your reputation referring someone you barely know. The CSA One-to-one is where that trust-building process begins.
Preparing Yourself for Powerful First Connections
To make the most of your initial connections, ask yourself:
- What qualities do I seek in a potential Champion (Center of Influence), and how could they complement my journey?
- How can I present myself authentically so I create a genuine, memorable connection from the very beginning?
- Do I have my 3-Word Introduction and 30-Second Commercial ready so others quickly understand who I are and how I help?
- Can I clearly describe my COIs and Prospects so others can instantly picture who I want to meet?
When you enter each H7 meeting with this level of clarity and intention, Step 1 stops being “just another introduction” and becomes the first step toward building real Champions.
In the next post in this series, we’ll unpack Step 2: The First Connect, Serve, and Ask® One-to-one—where that initial connection begins to turn into real trust and real opportunity.
Develop your Champion Workshop details:
📆 When: 2nd Thursday of each month
🕓 Time: 11 to 12 pm ET
🌐 Where: Over zoom
👉 RSVP here to join the fun! (H7 members only)
This post is part of our series, “Effective Networking Strategies in 4 Simple Steps,” where we walk through how to turn casual contacts into true Champions for your business using the H7 Connect, Serve, and Ask® framework.
Written by: Clay Hicks
“When you focus on the relationship and not the outcome, your outcomes become more predictable”
