subject: Some Good Advice About The Value Of Networking [print this page] There is no business, small or large that can survive on its own like an island. You have to be willing to network if you want to make contacts in the world of business. What this means is getting out there and making yourself known. For a start-up or small business, networking can provide a lifeline of support and business generation. It can also assist in reducing costs and facilitating service trades if that fits your business model.
To quote Jeffrey Gitomer (author of numerous sales and business books) it's not just who you know, it's who knows YOU - especially as a small business. This is extremely important in a community that values local business relationships.
Networking can help you improve your business performance, products and staff skills. Networks can also be a key source of information and support and You can use networking to boost your reputation and gather new leads.
The extent to which you benefit will depend on the events and services the network partnership offers and how actively you become involved. For most businesses, the benefits of taking an active role in a network usually outweigh any potential concerns or reasons not to network.
Staying in a person's mind means that it is important to attend meetings regularly. Some groups require a membership commitment that entails an annual subscription fee like the BNIs of the world. Other groups are more informal and allow people to visit as and when they choose, paying an attendance fee for each visit. If you are a member of a group it is important to maintain the continuity of your presence. It strengthens the group dynamic and it also enables you to be seen as someone who is committed to your business and the group as a whole.
Also, some networking groups have web sites that allow members to contribute their articles or join forums and discussion groups. All these are opportunities to introduce yourself and to spread the word, sometimes to a worldwide audience, and establish yourself as someone who is experienced and knowledgeable in your field. This also enables other networkers and potential clients to understand more about what you do. It is a further way to reinforce the relationship and peoples' confidence levels in you and your skills. You can give yourself an edge, something for potential customers to see as making you special from the competition, a reason to choose you.
