Networking with Purpose: How a ‘List of 20’ Can Transform Your 2025 Strategy
Dr. Heath Treharne
Consultant | Speaker | Business Education Chair | Assistant Professor at Sherman College of Chiropractic | Empowering Future Chiropractors with Innovative Education, Professional Excellence, and Strategic Success.
by Heath Treharne, DC
A Year of Purposeful Growth
As the new year approaches, many entrepreneurs and professionals look for strategies to kickstart their progress. In the past few weeks, we’ve explored two powerful concepts from the Book Yourself Solid? framework by Michael Port—ideas that have also been adapted for specific industries, such as in Book Yourself Solid for Chiropractors by Dr. Shawn Dill and Dr. Christine Zapata. First, we discussed the Network of 90, designed to help you reconnect with past or existing clients. Then, we focused on the Gang of 5, a small circle of advisors who can offer unfiltered feedback and hold you accountable to your goals.
Now we turn to another key tool from the Book Yourself Solid methodology: the List of 20. This approach invites you to identify and proactively engage with individuals in your community—or even beyond it—who can help elevate your status and unlock significant opportunities. Whether you’re a seasoned business owner or an emerging professional, having a clear, well-defined List of 20 will ensure you leverage the relationships that matter most for your ambitions in 2025.
What Is the “List of 20”?
In essence, the List of 20 is a strategic roster of individuals whose support or collaboration could dramatically impact your business or professional growth. Rather than relying on spontaneous encounters, you create a curated list of 20 key people you want to meet, strengthen ties with, or re-engage for a specific purpose. Some may be local influencers; others could be decision-makers at companies that align with your future objectives. Still others might be industry experts who can offer deeper insights into your field.
This is not just about chasing “big names.” It’s about identifying those who can provide genuine value—people who, if you connect with them, could help you make measurable strides toward your goals. Perhaps they’ve built businesses similar to yours and can show you a proven roadmap, or maybe they’re well-positioned to introduce you to an entirely new client base. Either way, they represent strategic relationships you can’t afford to leave to chance.
Why This Matters for 2025
Setting goals for the new year is easy. The challenging part is turning those goals into tangible results. Often, the difference between staying stagnant and hitting a major milestone is having the right allies in your corner. For instance, if you plan to launch a new product line, you might benefit from an introduction to a key buyer or distributor. If you want to host leadership workshops for corporate clients, you’ll need access to HR managers, event planners, or organizational leaders who can open those doors.
By outlining your List of 20, you shift from “hoping” to “planning.” Instead of vaguely wishing for the right contacts to appear, you’ll have a targeted approach that increases the odds of meaningful interactions. This proactive stance is especially crucial in a competitive business landscape, where opportunities often come down to who you know—and who knows you.
Identifying Potential Allies
When brainstorming potential contacts for your List of 20, start by thinking broadly about your goals for 2025. Perhaps you want to double your client base, secure partnerships with local businesses, or break into an entirely new niche. Who has the influence, experience, or access you need to accomplish these milestones?
Begin by writing down names of people who might fit the bill. Consider those you’ve admired from a distance, professionals recommended by your Gang of 5, or even connections you’ve briefly met at networking events. Don’t worry about whether you can easily reach them at first. The point is to acknowledge that these individuals matter. Once you’ve drafted a longer list, narrow it down to 20 high-impact people who align most closely with your immediate or medium-term objectives.
Harnessing the Power of Intention
Writing down your List of 20 has a powerful psychological effect: it primes your mind to spot opportunities to connect with these individuals. A chance introduction at a conference, a casual mention in a meeting, or a simple LinkedIn post from a mutual acquaintance can serve as a catalyst. Because you’re actively looking for ways to engage these specific people, you’ll be more inclined to act when the right moment arises.
Let’s say you’re an executive coach aiming to work with local tech companies. One of your targets is the HR director at a fast-growing startup. If you hadn’t identified this person as a priority, you might overlook a small LinkedIn connection clue—like a friend of yours who also knows this HR director. But with the List of 20 in mind, you’ll be motivated to ask for an introduction or send a thoughtful message, significantly raising the likelihood of building a relationship.
Linking Your Gang of 5 to the List of 20
Never underestimate how your Gang of 5—that carefully assembled advisory group we discussed last time—can play a role here. Present your draft List of 20 during one of your meetings or informally over coffee. Because your Gang of 5 already understands your business goals, they might recommend additional names or caution you about certain individuals who may not be as beneficial as they seem.
领英推荐
They could also make direct introductions. If one of your Gang of 5 members knows the managing director of a local conference or sits on the board of a citywide business group, that relationship alone might open doors to half the people on your list. By weaving these networks together, you maximize your chances of meaningful engagement.
Leveraging Digital Platforms and Face-to-Face Connections
In an era of Zoom calls and social media, digital outreach is often the first step. Platforms like LinkedIn can help you discover mutual connections and learn more about your targets’ professional backgrounds. Sending a polite, concise message that explains why you’d value a conversation is sometimes all it takes to start building a rapport.
However, digital connections should not replace in-person rapport whenever possible. If you see that a member of your List of 20 will be attending a local trade show or industry meetup, make it a priority to go. Brief, friendly face-to-face encounters often leave a more memorable impression than messages exchanged online. When you do meet, show genuine curiosity about their work, and listen carefully for ways you could offer value in return.
Fostering Win-Win Relationships
Approaching people with a “What’s in it for me?” mindset rarely succeeds in the long run. Instead, emphasize mutual benefit. Think about how you could assist or collaborate with each person on your list. Could you share an insightful case study relevant to their current project, or refer a potential client to them? By prioritizing reciprocity, you lay a foundation for trust and show you value their time and expertise. This approach transforms a prospective “cold call” into a more rewarding relationship.
Practical Steps to Get Started
Consistency and Follow-Through
Building a List of 20 is only the start. Relationships take time to evolve, so schedule regular check-ins with yourself (and possibly your Gang of 5) to assess how you’re progressing. If a few months go by with no movement on a particular contact, you might re-evaluate your approach.
Consistency also matters in your outreach. Don’t send one email, then disappear for a year. Periodically share articles, event invitations, or relevant resources. A thoughtful gesture or timely tip can keep you on someone’s radar without being intrusive. Over time, these small but consistent efforts can lead to breakthroughs that dramatically accelerate your business.
Now What: Activate Your 2025 Vision
Your List of 20, in combination with your Network of 90 and Gang of 5, forms a triad of relationships that can energize your business for the new year. While the Network of 90 keeps you in touch with existing and past supporters, and the Gang of 5 ensures you receive candid feedback and guidance, the List of 20 pushes you to reach beyond your immediate circle. It requires a proactive approach, clear intention, and a commitment to reciprocity.
If you’re serious about making 2025 your most successful year yet, start identifying those individuals who can help you break new ground. Research them, ask for introductions, and look for mutual benefits. Remember that relationships grow over time; a single meeting might not immediately yield results, but it can sow the seeds of a partnership that transforms your business. By investing consistent effort into these select 20 connections, you tap into an expansive potential that goes far beyond any single transaction.
Every entrepreneur and professional faces challenges that seem daunting in isolation. Yet, with the right people by your side and a structured method for engaging them, hurdles can become stepping stones. The List of 20 is your roadmap to forging the high-level relationships that will help you stand out in a crowded market, scale your operations, and influence your community in powerful ways. Make this tool a core part of your 2025 strategy, and watch how quickly your plans shift from ambitious dreams to tangible achievements.
About the Author
Dr. Heath Treharne serves as the Department Chair of the Business Development Department at Sherman College of Chiropractic . The college is at the forefront of preparing students for the opportunities and demands of the chiropractic profession, emphasizing both subluxation-centered chiropractic and entrepreneurship. This dual focus equips graduates to navigate the evolving healthcare landscape while providing outstanding patient care.