Networking is a critical skill for any businessperson, and this is especially true for entrepreneurs. Experienced founders know that much of their success comes from the connections they make with other people, both in and outside of their industry.
Here are some ways that networking can help you develop and maximize your success.
1. Learning about new routes
Networking can offer many opportunities if you are alert to them. Remember that you never know how or when your networking efforts will lead to tangible results, so stay open to the possibilities by focusing on learning from others and sharing your knowledge in return. Your efforts may lead to a partnership offer, a referral to a new mentor or investor, or even a big new client for your business.
2. Harnessing the power of collective intelligence
Through networking, entrepreneurs can gain a wealth of knowledge, experience, and insight that is greater than what they could acquire on their own. Looking for another opinion or view on your product? Do you want to benefit from the challenges and even failures of a more experienced trader? As Mama Crouch says, networking is an ideal way to quickly and effortlessly gain insight and sound wisdom from a wide range of peers and mentors, to gain some OPE or “experience of others.”
3. Increase your visibility
Networking puts you in close contact with people at all levels of business, technology and the financial world. If you make it a habit to attend roundtables and events and contribute your time and talent to group activities, you will be increasingly noticed. This is a great way to build a reputation as a thought leader in your particular industry. You can create new leads and referrals that you can use later. Additionally, your partnership is another thing to include on your growing resume as you seek to prove your worth to potential investors.
4. Boost your confidence
Even if you consider yourself an introvert, networking can push you in new directions and can help you become more socially comfortable and confident. As the public face of your new business, these are important features to develop. Try to reach out to people you like to talk to when you’re in a new group, and make sure you give them your tips and insights as well.
Associating with talented people who have a positive outlook can have a beneficial effect on your thought patterns and actions. Look for people who offer uplifting and informative observations on work, entrepreneurship and the global business scene in general.
Some writers on this topic advise shy newcomers to imagine themselves as the host or host of any event they attend, so they internalize the idea that it’s their responsibility to greet others and make sure which are comfortable By going the extra mile to make others comfortable, you may increase your own comfort level.
5. Participation in the business ecosystem
When you network with others, you not only connect with the people present at that time, but also create links in a chain by tapping into their additional connections. If what you say strikes a chord with one of your contacts, they may refer you to someone in another network who may be able to help you. When you also share your contacts and connections, you can increase the likelihood of this happening on a regular basis, which helps feed the overall business ecosystem.
6. Free consultation
In addition to commiserating with each other’s daily woes and celebrating successes, joining a networking group gives you the chance to get advice on everything from balancing your books to reaching for your sky-bluest goals.
You need to make sure that the recommendations come from a reputable source and align with your company’s mission and values. But always be open to it, because hearing a variety of informed perspectives can easily help you salvage a bad idea and fine-tune a good one.
7. Develop your planning skills
Treat networking like any other aspect of your business plan, drawing specific, measurable and time-focused goals for what you hope to achieve. Don’t join a program just for the sake of participating in a program. Instead, choose the events you attend carefully and ask yourself how valuable and relevant each one is. Determine for yourself exactly what you want to do in each situation.
How can a particular networking group or connection help you? How can you identify potential mentors and voices of wisdom through your networking groups? And what gives you the best and most realistic opportunities to meet these people? How can you be prepared to turn their observations into success stories for your company?
A number of experts recommend using questions like these to help you create a timeline or table of priorities that will help you strategically edit your networking calendar.
8. Learning the fine arts of coaching
Engaging in mentoring—whether as a coach or a mentor—can be one of the most rewarding aspects of entrepreneurship. The more you commit to helping others succeed, the more you’ll see them helping you in turn.
Try to develop a genuine sense of gratitude and empathy for the struggles and problems that people in your network are facing, and show your sincerity in wishing them well and trying to help them find a solution. Being willing to introduce yourself to others and fostering relationships is not only a generous act, but it can have a significant return on investment as those around you recognize your true value as a leader.
