Networking : move from Reflection to Real Action

The start of a New Year is always a good time to reflect and plan for the year ahead.

You probably have just returned to work after the break so now it is time to put things in place for a productive year and to ramp up your business momentum.   A good place to start is to consider how are you going to market your business to influence and achieve your 2020 goals.

There is absolutely no doubt that networking is something you cannot overlook. It is a cost effective way to build your business if done correctly as it will help you become more visible. Take some time to consider where, how, who you should network with and how you can make networking a profitable use of your time.

Did you waste a lot of time last year at events ? It is easily done if you have not planned, prepared and neglected to follow up.

Recently, I asked someone about their follow up process. I was amazed to hear there was none. I promptly suggested that the business owner may as well stay at home!

This year, set yourself KPI’s (Key Performance Indicators) for networking , as for other areas of your business.

If you are not sure how, The 90 Day Networking Challenge would be worth considering as it will help you improve your networking skills, as you utilise the Challenge to plan , focus and track the next each 30, 60 and 90 days.

Different Networks Support You

It is important to understand there are at a minimum four different types of relationships you build through networking: operational, personal, referral and strategic.   All of these can play a part in helping achieve goals, however, depending on your stage of life or role, they may not all apply to you. Which networks are you already engaging in or seeking?

·         Operational networks -help manage teams and relationships within a business.

·         Personal networks- built often through friends, family, common interest groups in the community, help us to find knowledge, experience and connections we need. They often are the networks we rely on in our leisure time and enjoy the engagement in the simple pleasures of life or connect us through our children, social dinners with friends, walks on the beach, attending sporting events, cycling, gym, prompted by lifestyle activities.

·         Referral networks- focused on a closed loop of professionals from non-competing industries who seek out transactions and gain leads.

(I believe if we only focus on a referral network, we are missing out on the rich resources available to us to transform and enrich our lives through deeper relationships).

·         Strategic networks- focus on our business direction and the stakeholders we need to pursue. Many people under-utilise strategic networking. A strategic network is based on relationships that help to plan for the future of your career and business.

Set Yourself Networking Goals

To improve your networking outcomes, you need:

·         A clear intention of why you are networking, what you are wanting out of the events you attend and how to choose the right events. If you are new, you will need to try out a few to see where you see the best fit and feel the most comfortable.  

·         Be mindful that good networking is not about selling. It is about getting to know, like and trust people who you would like to help grow their business and build a relationship sharing resources, advice and experience and a good networking relationships will provide some mutual benefit.

·         Have a clear understanding of what problems you solve and how you can help others. 

·         Know what types of business or people you are looking to connect with and who would be a good fit.

·         Practice talking about your business and clearly articulating how you make a difference in the lives of your client or customer. and also practice your listening. Learn to connect the dots between what you hear and what actually is needed, you may just have the solution.

·         Look to create relationships that could be mutually beneficial and be curious and interested. Good relationships do not always happen overnight, they take time.

·         You also need suppliers and you also never know who knows who, so do not limit your thinking and networking to only seeking prospective clients. Remember you may speak to one person but remember they are connected to many, so never underestimate anyone.

·         Networking offers more than transactions and lead generation.  You should use it to test your model, gain feedback on your ideas, explore collaborations and expand your horizons.

·         Make sure you are organised when you attend and have business cards and a pen and notepad to jot down notes.

·         Importantly, have a system in place for follow up within 48 hours and set up a reminder system to keep in touch in the next couple of months with the contacts that are a good fit for your business, beliefs and values.

Find Support and Opportunities through Your Relationships

No doubt a New Year will bring many challenges. You may find yourself worrying about your finances, processes and where the next opportunity will come from.

The good news is that a supportive network can help you. You can find the support and connections you need with suppliers, clients, referrers and friends by talking with others, spending some time planning and establishing your road map for the year. After all, without a plan you can get lost.

We can help clarify with your business and networking strategy moving forward this year. Check out our events , sign up for event alerts HERE or have a chat to learn how we can help you. Contact us HERE