Networking for business success is very crucial to achieving most of your goals in business. I have realised that people generally “don’t know, what they don’t know”. Have you found that in what you do? We all think that we know about a subject or industry until we actually take the time out to learn about the subject, and I know that it is never what I think it is!
I have found that this is very true when it comes to networking. People generally think that they know what they are doing and why they are at an event without really understanding what good networking practices are all about. So, consequently, they don’t get the results they were looking to gain.
I believe there is a formula that will support anyone wishing to network their business to success. One of the main reasons for most people networking is to gain ‘referrals’, but to do this, we need to develop good relationships. This doesn’t happen without you taking some action.
What actions do you take in your networking? Do you know who you are looking to meet and who your prospects actually are? We need to know and understand our niche market to know where and when to networking.
Networking is not just about attending events and hoping that something magic will happen in your business because you gave people your business card. It is about creating relationships with the people you meet and liked and maybe whose businesses and yours have some synergy. You need to take the action to make the first move, because, if you wait for them, it won’t happen!
I ask people to consider firstly WHY they are networking, as it is the ‘why’ that helps you understand what you need to do. Different ‘whys’ mean you will network differently. Once you have the ‘why’ you need to consider what and where your niche market is and then look for the type of events that will support you to meet the people you need to achieve your outcome.
Once you know ‘why’, ‘where’, ‘what’ and ‘who’, then you need to learn the ‘HOW TO’ skills to achieve the advocates you are looking to find. Your ‘raving fans’ are the people who will bring you in your business!
For me, my business and personal contacts are of utmost importance. I see them as one. I am happy to help and support anyone when people value what I have to give.