Networking For Success

According to Wikipedia, it defines business networking as a marketing method by which

business opportunities are created through networks of like-minded business people. These business networks provide the opportunity for people who are engaged in their own businesses to build new enterprising relationships and generate business opportunities at the same time.

There are marketing professionals who believe that business networking is in fact a more cost effective approach of sustaining a business compared to having an advertising strategy or public relations efforts. They contend that this is because business networking is a low cost activity that involves more personal commitment from the business owner himself more than anything else. In other words, establishing a business network does not cost much. All you need are good color business cards and you are all set to start participating in business networks.

I, for one, have organized my own professional network. We agree to meet on a regular basis with the purpose of exchanging color business card printing as well as ideas and sharing lessons. This network of professionals has been my source of inspiration as I get to meet leading personalities in my field. I get to rub elbows with them, talk to them and discuss issues that are of mutual interest. To complement these networking meetings, the members often meet outside this circle, on their own time, and build their own personal relationships with fellow members.

This network of professionals started as a small group. There were the three of us who felt that we should start to organize ourselves. We met in a restaurant one lunch time and we started talking about things that are of common interest. Each one of us invited someone; and before we know it, it has evolved into a group of 30 or more professionals with the same interests, likes and dislikes. We keep in touch with each other through an email group. We exchange ideas and share experiences through the internet and it has helped me a lot. I am sure that the other members find these exchanges not only informative but also an impetus to keep the network strong and active.

I mentioned these because a lot of businesses are increasingly using business social networks as a means of growing their circle of business contacts. In general, these networking tools allow professionals to build their circle of business partners they trust. By connecting these business partners, the networking tools allow individuals to search for certain people within their network. Through introductions, the members of these networking tools then can get in contact with new prospective business partners. Since businesses are expanding globally, social networks make it easier to keep in touch with other contacts around the world.

Despite the growing interest in social networking tools, I still prefer face-to-face networking. Many professionals like myself tend to prefer face-to-face networking over online based networking because the potential for higher quality relationships are possible. Many individuals also prefer face-to-face exchange of color business cards because people tend to prefer actually knowing and meeting who they intend to establish any relationship with.

Anyway, before the advent of online networking, there was and has always been, networking face-to-face. Rubbing elbows among business professionals and exchanging color business cards have been the preferred method for introducing and meeting one another, and establishing rapport.

by: Robert Johnston

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