Networking – A Sure Fire Way to Grow Your Business Leeds
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.
Tmp Worldwide
0113 3685000
Aintree House
Leeds
Banc
0113 2342022
3 Sovereign Place
Leeds
Phd Compass
0113 2856506
Rose Wharfe
Leeds
Byrne & Co Ltd
0113 2431423
Design Innovation Centre
Leeds
F Watson Ltd
0113 2420321
30-40 Crossland Court
Leeds
Marketing Services Solutions Ltd
0113 2423233
Solution House
Leeds
Kirklees Advertising Services
0113 2432061
8 York Place
Leeds
Vtr North
0113 2615858
The Old Brewery
Leeds
Brilliant Media
0113 3940000
1 City Square
Leeds
Out Think
0113 2856510
Rose Wharfe
Leeds
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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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