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Networking – A Sure Fire Way to Grow Your Business Ayr

Many small businesses use networking as their only form of marketing. In the professions, especially those that, until recently, were not allowed to market (eg lawyers) networking has built some very successful, big businesses.

Ayrshire Extra Advertising
01292 611666
42 Alloway Street
Ayr
Creative Edge Design & Advertising
01292 293014
61 New Road
Ayr
Paligap Advertising
01292 263777
Apex House
Ayr
Scottish Media Services
01292 521122
Ayr
Ayrshire Media Services
01292 319391
3 Dukes Road
Troon
Ayr Advertiser
01292 267631
45 Fort Street
Ayr
Advertising Business Consultancy
01292 885777
The Stable Block
Ayr
Rtc Advertising Gifts Ltd
01292 474540
59 Maryborough Road
Prestwick
Jigsaw Marketing Services Scotland Ltd
01292 671655
42 Main Street
Troon
Fusion Design & Advertising
01292 886655
4 Union Street
Troon
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Networking – A Sure Fire Way to Grow Your Business

What is Networking?
I’m sure ‘networking’ is one of those words that means different things to different people so for the purposes of this article I’d like to suggest that networking is something everyone in business does every single day, without even consciously realising they’re doing it.

How many times have you overheard a conversation at a business meeting or chamber lunch that goes something along the lines of: “John, you mentioned the other day that you know someone who can fix’s PCs, well can you give me their number – mine’s crashed again.” Networking is in operation in a number of ways here.

  • The speaker and John obviously have some kind of relationship and regular contact where they discuss business related matters.
  • John has obviously networked with the PC ‘fixer’ and felt confident enough to recommend him.
  • And the speaker is confident enough to accept a recommendation from John.
  • There are a few important points about networking relating to this very simple scenario:
    • Networking happens everyday – it’s what makes the business world go around.
    • Networking isn’t about hard sell.
    • Networking works because of trust and confidence. Networking can only work if you are very clear about what you offer – your proposition – and this can be articulated easily to others – for example – ‘I fix PCs when they crash’.
    Have you thought about how effective networking could make an impact on your business?

    Why Use Networking?
    Simple – it works, it costs next to nothing and once you get used to doing it, it becomes second nature, something you do naturally, with limited effort.

    Many small businesses use networking as their only form of marketing. In the professions, especially those that, until recently, were not allowed to market (eg lawyers) networking has built some very successful, big businesses.

    Who’s in my Network?
    Some readers might be thinking – ‘but who do I network with?’ or even ‘I don’t have a network’.

    Well, lets just take a step back for a moment and think about who’s in everyone’s network:

    • Work colleagues - past and present
      • Bosses peers and subordinates
      • Board members
    • Other business contacts
      • Customers
      • Suppliers
      • Partners
      • Competitors
    • People you meet on training courses, at meetings or who belong to the same professional body or Chamber of Commerce.
    Everyone has a network, some large, some small, some confined to one organisation and others spanning the globe. But as they say size isn’t really important, it’s how you deal with your network that is.

    The Essential Tools of Networking
    In order to network effectively you need a few simple tools. Firstly you need a method of keeping all of your contact details in a format that is readily accessible. Secondly you nee...

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