Network with Purpose: Why Networking is Like Going to the Gym

I regularly get asked; “why would I join a networking group, when I could just pay to attend events as and when?I?want?”

Of course,?you can do that. But I?wouldn’t?recommend it.

Why??As?it’s?January and many have set that goal of going to the gym more. Let’s?break it down using that as an analogy.

Ask someone why they join a gym.?You’ll?hear?them?reply;?“to get myself in shape,”?“to make myself stronger,”?“to make myself healthier”?or?“to improve myself.”

Now, change the word ‘myself’ to ‘my business’…

It might?not?make?complete sense, but you get the idea.?Let’s?dive into it.?

“To get myself healthier”?= “to get my business healthier”

Improving the overall health of your business through networking can be in?several?ways.

New business is an obvious way of achieving that.?But this starts by?increasing your close connections and network. Building partnerships with referrers.?Also,?friendships with others you share common interests with.

These will all contribute to the goal of increasing new business opportunities and thus making your business healthier.?

“To make myself stronger”?=?“to make my business stronger”?

Linked?to the above, this?isn’t?about increasing?the number of connections made.?It’s?how you develop these new relationships.

Your approach to networking should be?based around developing strong,?long-term?relationships.?The stronger the relationships, the?stronger position your business will?be?as you grow an army of supporters,?advocates,?and clients.

You?don’t?go to the gym?once?and?are?able to lift?ultra-heavy?weights.

You?shouldn’t?go networking once and expect new business.

Both require the need to build up your strength (or strength in relationships) over time by being consistent.

“To get myself fitter”?=?“to get my business fitter”?

People network for many reasons.

We hear from?members?how?they?haven’t?used?membership?just?to?grow their network. But how?they've?learned from others,?shared?business?challenges?and grown professionally.

Through networking?they’ve?built?a diverse and rich network?from a range of industries,?benefitting?from advice and?insight?relating?to their?expertise?(whilst sharing?theirs too).

Implement?that shared?wisdom?into?your?business.?Help?it get ‘fitter.’

How?do you?maximise?your time at the gym/networking?

There are other?elements at the?gym that?help?you improve yourself.?It’s?not?just?about stepping through the door or the equipment.

The same applies with networking.?

Training Partners?

You?will see regular faces?at the gym. And?over time, you?begin to get to know them. Eventually they may become your training partner.

In networking terms, think of these people as?those you?pass?referrals to?and receive referrals from.?Your networking partners.

Most of our members?realise?new business?not?via?direct new business, but from referred business from others?they’ve?built relationships with.

Think, what industries do you pass referrals to and/or receive referrals from? They are your potential training?partners in waiting.

Personal Trainers?

Some people need that extra motivation or accountability when it comes to training or going to the gym, right?

Our members can view our team as their personal trainers to help maximise their membership and achieve their networking objectives.?

This could include?facilitating?introductions. Suggesting good people for them to speak to. Marketing support outside of the events.

However, we?can't?do it all for you. You need to?show up regularly. Just like the gym.

Diet?

You may have heard the phrase?that?20% is achieved in the gym and 80% is achieved by good nutrition.

Treat your diet in networking terms?as what?you?do?before and after?an event.

Pre and post networking event activity are crucial to achieving results from your networking.?From researching the guest list before attending to following up afterwards.

Think of?networking as a sandwich. The event is the filling (the main attraction), but the bread is what you do before and after. It holds it together.

It Starts?With?Mindset?

You may regularly hear the phrase ‘network with like-minded?businesses.’

But doesn’t that sound?a?bit...buzzwordy??What does?it?truly mean?

It means being part of a network where you all share the same beliefs and principles?to networking. Ideally that approach is that of being supportive,?open-minded?and collaborative, with a view to?build?long-term relationships.

Aren’t they the kinds of?people?you want to surround yourself?with?

We all know those people that go to the gym?a few times?and never go back because they?don’t?see results straight away.?I see the same at?networking.

Surrounding?yourself with the right people with shared values of networking and?the chances of it?working?for you?increase dramatically.

Networking success starting?before?you’ve?walked into a room.?It starts with your mindset.?Get this right and the?preceding points?are easy?and become habits.?

Now,?go and start flexing those networking muscles!

Start your journey to a healthier business?by joining?the?Network My Club Family .