What is Networking all about?

To me Networking is about building long term relationships with trusted associates/colleagues/businesses etc that ultimately you want to pass work to.

What its not is expecting work to come to you by just attending an event, in my opinion everyone has to buy into the same goal. Whether that be in a structured Networking Group or even an occasional Networking Group. I am great believer in the phrase "what goes around comes around" coined from a well known Business Networking Group. I use that philosophy in my daily personal and business life.

Therefore I spend a lot of my week trying to gain other people business. However I only refer people that I have trust in that they will deliver or at the very least keep customers informed etc if for whatever reason they cant provide a service. (In my line of work at times we cant provide a service due to circumstances outside of our control eg Credit Underwriting). This is where the building of the relationships is vitally important by having regular meetings, one 2 ones etc.

I am always actively listening to people when I have a meeting/conversation to see if there is a need/requirement that they need filling. There is something very pleasing about saying to someone "I have had a conversation with xx who has a potential need for your services, give them a call!!!!"

So if you extrapolate this out to everyone doing this within a Networking Group or Organisation then hey presto you have a Referral Network that is very strong and works!!

Anyway just my thoughts as ever.

If you would like to come along to our www.networkb2b.co.uk meeting in Harrogate then just drop me a line.

Many thanks and Happy Networking!!!

Darren