Is a “CHRISTIAN” networking group really that or could it be a coverup?

Catchy title, right?

I would laugh if it weren’t sadly true that some people will add “Christian” the title of their networking group, company, or profile as a means for creating INSTANT CREDIBILITY. Think about it…when you see someone’s religion, if you will, as part of their name you don’t think much about it. It may not say “Christian” as it could just as easily be a group with “Jewish” or “Catholic” or “Mormon” or “pick a religion” in the title. What this does is simply cause emotional triggers within you to either connect or disconnect based on past/present experiences.

So how do you know if someone TRULY IS “that” when they say they are?

Well, let me point out a few obvious facts:
1) No matter which “title” you select, it is just a word. Anyone can give themselves a title, like “The Networking Queen” (though this wasn’t self-proclaimed but assigned to me and if you want to hear more about that, let me know) or a minister or Doctor or Representative…and the list is as endless as your imagination!
2) Words carry meaning, whether perceived or real. When you hear “Doctor” you visualize someone wearing and doing something…just like you do with any of the other titles mentioned above. You can VISUALIZE someone as that.
3) Costumes create false perceptions. EXAMPLE: I can get dressed up in a clown costume but did I graduate from clown school? Do I know any clown secrets? Can I perform silly or magic tricks like a clown? (actually, my grandfather was a Shriner so I have clowned a number of times but not in YEARS)

There are more, but let’s continue with these 3 facts in agreement so I can share with you the MEAT of this post.

If this comes as a surprise to you then we REALLY need to talk…
In this world there are people called “false prophets” and it doesn’t matter if they are men or women or claim to be both (you may snicker but if you have ever seen Jerry Springer you know exactly what I am talking about – there are some CONFUSED people in this world…Jerry can’t help them but “The Big G” can!)

Masters of Illusion can manipulate what you think you see to be what THEY want you to see. In networking, there are people doing this every day! At least once a month, and sometimes it is multiple times in one day, I will be contacted by someone who has been talking with a “Master of Illusion” who has tricked them into buying something that doesn’t ever appear…like ads for a magazine or newspaper that hasn’t printed in YEARS. They believe they have a booth at a fantastic event where no one actually attends other than the vendors…or pay for a banquet room at a Country Club for a luncheon where few actually arrive but supposedly hundreds have been invited. And through the wig, false teeth, glasses, fake nails, eyelashes, etc. a mask is worn but never removed and the clown who has shared this AMAZING OFFER vanishes with your money and you have nothing to show for it.

Friends, you need to RESEARCH a networking group before you “pay to play”! Search the internet, ask for references who have been working with these people or ATTENDING their events for more than a year. I don’t care if the title of the group has CHRISTIAN in it or CHAMBER OF COMMERCE or WOMEN or ORGANIZATION or ASSOCIATION or any other “name that creates instant credibility”. These are all just words that are perceived to mean one thing but can be used to manipulate and deceive.

I know this is a power-packed blog on a Friday, but here’s the REAL DEAL – businesses are SHUTTING DOWN because of groups like this who are started just to pad someone’s pocket and NOT to impact the community for good. Don’t be disillusioned, connect with the PEOPLE in the group and not the coordinator to find out how long THEY have been attending, what attendance is like, the turnover for the group, consistency of attendance from visitors verses guests.

The BNI groups aren’t just thrown together overnight, nor are eWomen Network’s! They research and interview their leaders and require FUNDS before a group is started with checks and balances, just like Gold Star Clubs does with their Directors, and Business Blitz. It isn’t just anyone who fills out an application is hired ON THE SPOT or able to lead a group. They realize there are unethical people seeking to prey on unsuspecting business people who are hungry for a new way to market and advertise, to find leads and referrals and prospects without spending a fortune.

OFFLINE networking is not about QUANTITY it is about QUALITY!!!

The MBA (Metro Business Associates) group of Mansfield, TX actually started in 2007 because there was a woman who knew just what to say and when to say it to many of us…and we were “disillusioned” by her. But out of what was a TERRIBLE situation for many businesses and business persons we started a NEW group and left her with no one to prey upon…so she moved to the other side of the Metroplex. When she gets caught, she moves to another city and starts another networking group.

Why do you need to know this?
Because she is like people throughout the US who are saying they are a “Christian” to get people to trust them more so than they would otherwise. People who believe this is MORE than a word and isn’t just a title that carries no meaning, but exemplifies HONESTY, INTEGRITY, VALUE, and TRUST. Anyone can SAY they are a Christian or a Jew or Catholic if they know that will get you to buy from them or buy into their sales pitch more…we become disillusioned.

I want to CHALLENGE YOU to consider what these words mean to you and the CHARACTER of someone who immolates your religion so that YOU do not become prey to a false prophet but know the difference. Because there WILL BE networking groups that evolve based on your belief system if there are not already. The common ground you THINK you share may only be “words on a page” to someone else when there is a history of meaning to you just as there is for me when someone says they are a CHRISTian.

Really? So when you die you are 100% CONFIDENT about where you will spend eternity? And why is that…

The question may sound simple but it is in the answer where you will begin to see just how trivial it really is.

And what does this have to do with Networking For More Business? ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING!!!

People do business with those they:
1) KNOW
2) LIKE
3) TRUST

It isn’t easy to build INSTANT credibility. Finding out what you have in common, your likes and dislikes is a start when it comes to KNOWING and LIKING someone…and begins to build trust. With the “religion angle,” you will find building credibility happens much faster. It may be that you share the same morals, ethics, political views, etc. – you know,the things you hear people saying you should NOT talk about in networking groups. I DARE YOU TO ANYWAYS! “You can’t lose that which you didn’t have to begin with” so why not learn more about your competition and colleagues on a deeper scale so you can deepen your relationship. Build your “like and trust” factors…and see where you agree and where you agree to disagree.

In case this isn’t connecting with you yet, here’s a visual in terms of disconnect: an Atheist selling shoes to Monk
You get how this would NOT be instant credibility, right? If not, let me know…

In conclusion, remember DUE DILIGENCE and don’t make any quick decisions to join a group, pay a fee or dues or membership before you have ASKED AROUND. I would also recommend you start with those near and dear to you – we saved a friend a few hundred dollars this week from buying something from a “Tina Turner” look-a-like who is a wolf in sheep’s clothing – NO LIE! Your friends are your FIRST resource and frontline of defense if you have found a NEW GROUP to join. They may know what you don’t and will keep you from making the same mistakes they did…and it might just save your business or keep you IN business!

Speaking from experience, I never attend a NEW GROUP without taking a few friends with me as guests…but that is topic for a whole new blog post!!!

Thank you again for reading today’s post and joining me on this fun voyage. The great thing about blogging is that it is a way to share from your heart, mind, and spirit on any topic you are passionate about. As you can see, I have found what that is for me! Hope you are enjoying the posts.

It is great to hear of more Entrepreneurs Networking online and offline. A better way to GROW your business and NOT your bottomline…

Tagged with: Catchy Title • Catholic Religion • Christian Networking • Clown Costume • Clown School • Clown Secrets • Costumes • Coverup • Credibility • Experiences • False Perceptions • False Prophets • Group Company • Imagination • Jerry Springer • Magic Tricks • Mormon Religion • Networking Company • Networking Group • Shriner

Filed under: General Info • Offline Networking

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