Too Busy For Networking

I was CEO of an Executive Search business in software for 30 years....I was too busy for Networking (or resistant to it) for 30 years!

Either I was always on table 11 with all the other service companies and not meeting any prospects, or I was in a room with 100 people (mainly men -it was tech in the 90’s !) and unable to meet and engage with more than 5 random people. On top of this, these meetings would often take up a whole evening and meant a late-night home, something very difficult to manage when you have young kids!?

That is the Catch 22. When you’re really busy you push back on the networking opportunities as you have so much to do,?then, when you have completed your projects, you have no work and need to start networking again.

It’s a challenge that affects many CEO’s, Chairs, Board Directors, Entrepreneurs and business owners.

There are certain facts we know:

• ?Over 65% of Board roles come via your personal network.?
• Referred business leads are more convertible and valuable than cold ones.?
• A reference adds integrity to the referral by way of an implied recommendation.
• ?CEO’s and Leaders with great personal networks and communication skills are better and more effective leaders.?

Superficial, inconsistent networking won’t help your business - we need to network effectively on an ongoing basis.

But what do we mean by effectively? Well effective networking means finding the best network for you and your business interests. It means jumping in to engage and get to know people more deeply than a LinkedIn connection or a passing hello.

It means finding opportunities to collaborate, have a chat/Zoom and start building trust and respect.

It means being more open and authentic with new people, letting people know who you are and what you are about.

It means being prepared to help others with contacts, insight and support, based on your expertise.

If you ever find yourself asking the question: don’t I have enough business connections? The answer is always no.?

Caroline Hayward is Founder/MD of www.chairmansnetwork.com