Make the Most of Your Business Networking

[H. M. Nasim]

1) Meeting people in person seems old-fashioned in the digital age, but wherever possible you should network face-to-face. Social media platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter are excellent ways to communicate with customers and business associates, but they do not substitute for meeting people in person. A lot of local business is still done on a handshake basis, and the best way to network with other local business owners and entrepreneurs is through business groups.

2) The best business networking groups operate as exchanges of business information, ideas, and support. The most important skill for effective business networking is listening; focusing on how you can help the person you are listening to rather than on how he or she can help you is the first step to establishing a mutually beneficial relationship.

3) Don't spread yourself too thin. Business networking is about cultivating relationships - you're not going to be able to do that if you're trying to be an active participant with five or six different groups. And you need to be an active participant in whatever networking group you join. It's contributing that will bring you the benefits of networking you're looking for, such as more business. You need to not only attend the meetings of your networking group regularly but go prepared to offer something of value to the group.

4) Choose the networking group that's best for you. A strong contact referral group such as BNI, whose purpose is for members to find and exchange referrals, operates very differently than a community service club such as Rotary International whose primary purpose is to serve the community.

[H. M. Nasim]

Source: https://www.thebalancesmb.com/what-is-business-networking-and-what-are-the-benefits-2947183