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Are you in a relationship?
For your business, that is.
It is often said in business that success is determined not by what you know, but by who you know. Relationship building in business is essential.
Word of mouth referral is responsible for 70% of business taking place! That is 70% of business activity is down to people who get to know you, like you and trust you, whether or not they have bought your products or used your services, they feel comfortable in recommending or referring you.
So that would seem a pretty fool-proof and economical way to grow your business; to make money.
Yes, but it doesn’t happen overnight – it takes time and effort – by you!
Effective and successful networking isn’t just about “the money”.
It’s about learning from your peers, sharing experiences and support. Which in turn all add to your well-being and that of your business!
If you are going to be successful in business, face-to-face networking is an essential part of your business’s marketing strategy.
So here are 10 Relationship Building Rules to make networking work for you:-
1. Regular Attendance
- Networking is about developing trust and relationships over time – so you need to attend regularly
2. Give and Help Others
- Be prepared to give and help others – what you give will come back three-fold – see where you can make connections for others
3. Genuine Interest and Listen
- Show a genuine interest in people and really listen – you never know who they know!
4. Follow up
- Always follow up contacts, by phone or email
5. 1:1s
- Arrange 1:1s – to find out more about each other and business opportunities – so always take your diary, whether paper or electronic, with you
6. Invitations
- Invite business contacts to experience a networking meeting – spreading the word extends opportunities for everyone
7. Circulate
- Circulate – don’t stay in your comfort zone
8. Preparation
- Be prepared – have plenty of business cards, perhaps an A5 flier, and certainly have a 1 minute talk prepared – you can “wing-it” much later on! (let me know if you’d like a copy of the 1230 TWC 1 Minute guide)
- Remember
- “Today’s preparation determines tomorrow’s achievement” anon
9. Information Networking
- Never go anywhere without your business cards; that includes supermarket, hairdressers, dentist, school gates, etc…. These are your informal networking opportunities.
10. Gold
- Treat your network, your relationships, like gold – don’t abuse your contacts
- Networking is not about selling, it’s about building the relationship. Follow the above RBRs consistently and it will work for you.
I would love to hear from you about your networking experiences and please share your own networking tips
1230 TWC MD Jackie Groundsell
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About the Author Jackie Groundsell
Jackie Groundsell -The Connector, owner of 1230 The Women’s Company (TWC) is also known as the queen of women's business networking meetings and events. As a businesswoman herself for the past 25 + years, she’s been there, done that and got the T-shirt! She’s an approachable recognised business Expert, Mentor, IT Trainer and has e supported thousands of small business owners through her events and lunch-time meetings Jackie is also a weekly Radio presenter, reaching and supporting even further into the business world. ... and would love to hear from you.