Networking Tips for Developing more effective Relationships

I came across this article that lists Networking Tips for Developing more effective Relationships. It’s pretty long so here are a few snippets that you might find interesting:

If an entrepreneur wants to succeed in business, there is a need to nurture relationships with suppliers, contractors, customers, distributors, partners, & others – directly & indirectly involved with the business & its operations. For many, though’, that is easier said than done. Developing relationships, and subsequently nurturing them on a continuing basis must be done. These are challenges that everyone must overcome – if they want to attain their goals. Thus, various techniques & tactics are used – in order to establish relationships and nurture them.

1. Set Networking Goals.

You need to have a clear direction, with a specific goal in mind, for your networking to work best. Do you know why you are networking in the first place? Is it to introduce your new business? Is it to obtain support & gain favor from the industry? Is it to acquire knowledge in order to get your business of the ground and oversee its operations well? There are a multitude of reasons why businesses pay special attention to networking. Know what they are – so that it will be easier for you to come up with a plan on how you will carry out your networking efforts.

2. Know where to do Networking.

Business people should feel really lucky these days because, compared to, say, twenty, thirty, forty years ago, there are more places, venues & platforms where they can network. It used to be limited only in industry conferences & speaking engagements. However, as networking has evolved, so, too, did the networking hot spots. Aside from conferences, meetings, trade fairs & showcases, networking also works very well over the Internet, thanks in large part to social media platforms offering a new, modern, faster & easier ways to connect. Businesses now make it a point to “build a strong online presence”. The most commonly used (and effective) social media platforms used primarily for business networking are Twitter & LinkedIn.

3. Manage your Time for Networking.

Business people often chime out that they are too busy running their businesses to go out and mingle. They see this as a waste of time; why should they hang around talking to other people, some of them even competitors or rivals, when he could simply stay at the office and work for hours on end managing business operations? The excuse of not having time to network is just that: an excuse. If you are serious about wanting to build & nurture relationships, then you have to recognize that networking is a must-do. Therefore, you have to allocate your schedule, so that you are able to set aside more than sufficient time for networking activities. Do not look at this as a waste of time. Instead, treat this as an investment that will soon mature into a benefit for the company, and bring in new opportunities –as a good ROI.

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

Thanks,

Robert