Networking became very popular during lockdown as a means of both keeping in touch with people as well as making new contacts. It offers several benefits that can significantly impact the success and growth of your business such as:
- Opportunity for Referrals: Networking allows you to establish relationships with other professionals and business owners who may refer clients, customers, or opportunities to you. Word-of-mouth referrals can be highly valuable and can lead to new business.
- Access to Resources: Networking provides access to a broader pool of resources, including information, industry knowledge, and contacts. You can tap into the expertise of others to help solve business challenges or gain insights into your industry. This is particularly important if you are new to being your own boss.
- Business Growth: Building a strong network can lead to new business opportunities, partnerships, collaborations, and contracts. You may discover new markets or niches that you hadn’t previously considered.
- Increased Visibility: Networking allows you to raise your profile within your industry or community. This increased visibility can help establish your credibility and expertise, making it easier to attract customers or clients.
- Learning and Development: Interacting with other professionals can be a valuable learning experience. You can gain knowledge about industry trends, best practices, and innovative solutions through discussions and shared experiences.
- Support System: Networking provides you with a support system of like-minded individuals who understand the challenges of entrepreneurship. You can seek advice, share your own experiences, and find emotional support when needed.
- Feedback and Validation: Networking can help you validate your business ideas and strategies. Receiving feedback from peers and mentors can help you refine your approach and make more informed decisions.
- Partnerships and Collaborations: Networking can lead to partnerships and collaborations that can help you expand your business or launch new initiatives. Joint ventures or co-marketing efforts with other businesses can be mutually beneficial.
- Market Intelligence: By connecting with others in your industry, you can gain valuable market intelligence. You may learn about emerging trends, customer preferences, or changes in the competitive landscape.
- Career Advancement: Networking is not only beneficial for business owners but also for professionals looking to advance their careers. It can open doors to job opportunities, mentorship, and career growth.
- Problem Solving: When you encounter challenges or problems in your business, your network can be a valuable source of solutions. You can tap into the collective wisdom of your network to find innovative ways to overcome obstacles.
- Personal Growth: Networking can help you develop and enhance your interpersonal skills, communication abilities, and self-confidence. These skills can benefit you not only in business but also in your personal life.
- Community Engagement: Networking allows you to become more involved in your local or professional community. This can lead to a sense of fulfilment and goodwill, which can indirectly benefit your business.
- Inspiration and Motivation: Interacting with successful individuals in your network can inspire and motivate you to set higher goals and strive for excellence in your business endeavours.
Networking is great for some, while others may struggle to attend meetings during the day when they are out working. Several network groups have “break out rooms” where you get to chat with a smaller number of people which can be less intimidating.
Most network groups use Zoom or Teams software, so you just need to create an account on these apps which you can download onto mobile and PC/Laptop.
So if you’re new to networking, why not try it and see how you get on ?
