Entrepreneurial physician networking at its best

As I was feeling a little under the weather on Friday, I decided to devote my "working on the business" time to forging new connections on LinkedIn.  My cotton-filled skull couldn't tolerate anything more taxing!

This exercise proved to be both fruitful and enlightening. I made a whole bunch of new connections with physician business owners and physician health care executives and I once again marveled at the fact that I could sit in my dressing gown, nursing a cold, and reach out to people all over the country, without having to put on a stitch of makeup!

One physician's response proved to be the most enlightening. Without embarrassing this gentleman, I do want to point out to you the perfection of his masterful networking response.

First, it's probably worth observing that I believe much of what prompted the outpouring of response was that I wrote individual notes to each person I was hoping to connect with.  No generic LinkedIn invite! Let's call this Rule Number One. So I get a little pat on the back for being a good student of other's tips.

More importantly, Rule Number Two, how you respond to an invitation to connect, looks like this:

Dear Philippa,

It is a pleasure to hear from you! Thank you for your invitation which I have accepted gladly. I look forward to our friendship and to working together.

Attached is a PowerPoint on one of my current projects. Please provide me with your full contact info.

Best regards,

Dr. X

At the risk of stating the obvious, may I highlight what made this response so excellent?

1. Dr. X. took the time to spell my name correctly (doesn't often happen!)
2. His acceptance language was gracious -- who would not be charmed by someone writing "which I have accepted gladly. I look forward to our friendship and to working together"?
3. He adhered to the golden rule of networking which is Give, give, give! In providing me with a PowerPoint of his recent project, he immediately invited me into his world, provided me with information I might find useful and gave me a better understanding of what his interests and passions are.

Well-done Dr. X. -- you deserve the huge number of connections you apparently have on LinkedIn, and the undoubted accompanying professional success!