Business Networking That Really Works

I don’t want to pass up the opportunity to share an article I read about networking. Here are a few highlights:

What is the real purpose of networking with other business owners?

Business growth networking is a specific strategy to connect with other small business leaders. Your strategic networking plan can include meeting with other business owners one-on-one or attending events where many local leaders congregate.?

Creating and implementing a strategic networking plan provides many benefits that may impact both your personal growth and the growth of your company. These include the opportunity to:

• build leadership business connections
• meet business owners with similar interests
• share advice with peer business leaders
• learn from leaders who have been in your shoes before.

Keep in mind the bottom line: networking for business owners is one of the most effective ways to find new customers and grow your business.

Whether you love business networking or dislike it — or you're somewhere in the middle — business growth relies on being able to meet and connect with like-minded professional peers in your industry and in your local geographic area.?

As you seek to grow your personal connections, some questions to ask yourself are:

• Whom do I know that needs what I have?
• Who does my ideal customer know that needs what I offer?
• What events does my business attend or sponsor, and who attends these events with me as a result of this sponsorship?

Always be thinking about whom you can help, not just who can help you. You’ll find that this shift in attention is often the key that opens unexpected doors of opportunity and connection, in addition to just being a fun and fulfilling way to live your life.

Business networking tips and best practices

Here are best practices and tips that will help you make strong, fruitful business connections:

1. Introduce yourself and shake hands. (Shake hands only if the other person feels comfortable doing so; some are still uncomfortable with it, post-pandemic.) At networking events, look for someone who does not seem to be speaking with anyone in particular; introduce yourself and ask questions about their business or product.
2. Ask the event host for introductions to people who might be interested in your company's products/services.
3. Introduce other business owners to someone you think would be a good fit for one of their needs. This leads to better relationships and more opportunities.
4. When talking to someone one-on-one, be an active listener; does this person sound like they have the same needs as someone you know?
5. At networking events, if someone is looking for an open seat, offer yours to them. Later, go speak with them and ask about their business or product so you can help each other and offer referrals.
6. Meet with other professionals in your industry to discuss common hurdles and share advice on how each of you has made positive changes to grow a successful business.
7. Use your business card — especially, these days, a virtual business card — to exchange contact information with businesspeople you meet at networking events.
8. Connect with other business leaders on social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, in addition to following them on these platforms.
9. Support your favorite businesses' websites and posts by sharing them on social media.
10. Check out a business's website before meeting the owner for the first time so you know what they are about and have something relevant about which to talk with them when you meet.
11. Before attending networking events or joining networking groups, do your homework to get to know who else is likely to attend.

Want to know more? Head on over to the full article here for more ideas and perspectives. Afterwards, why not drop me an email to share your thoughts at [email protected] ; or call me on 0467 749 378.

Thanks,

Robert