Networking – A Sure Fire Way to Grow Your Business Bradford
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.
Creative Juice
0113 2505540
Moorfield Chambers
Leeds
Printline Advertising
0113 2508606
4 Chapel Hill
Leeds
Millenium A D & P Plc
01274 538888
Windhill Manor
Shipley
Knowles Advertising & Marketing Promotion Ltd
07860 139940
19 Victoria Close
Leeds
Obelisk Advertising
01274 530991
68 Branksome Drive
Shipley
A B C Promotional Gifts Ltd
0113 2506125
Suite 3 Realtex House
Leeds
Thru The Line
0113 2577999
21 Holly Park Mills
Pudsey
Design Option Designing Advertising Graphics
01274 621855
Bradford Road
Bradford
Ashley Bolser Agency
0113 2503335
4 Moorfield Mills
Leeds
A D Workshop
0113 2304000
5 Coal Hill Lane
Pudsey
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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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Turning the Tables on Networking Bradford
Why not take another approach and see the networking event as an opportunity to meet some new people and find out more about them – with a view to maybe developing a long term relationship with them in the future.
