As an entrepreneur, your customers, employees and the business community at large form the very bedrock of your business. Hence it is very essential to develop interpersonal relationships with them. While a lot of importance is usually given to building relationships with customers and employees, it is equally important to focus on developing ties with the business community.
The business fraternity in any city serves as an extended family whose members help each other out. Being part of such a fraternity will definitely give you a sense of belonging. So go ahead and take the first step in socialising and networking. While it is natural to be hesitant and unsure initially about the networking process, just follow these strategic tips and you will do just fine.
Attend Business Events – There are various types of events like Conferences, Conventions, Expositions (Expos) etc which bring people of the business community under one roof. Attending such events has two fold benefits, first, you get to know the latest trends in the industry and second, you get to meet business people from diverse fields.
It would be easier for you to make a start at Expos which are more about one to one interactions. You can strike up a conversation with entrepreneurs who have put up stalls. At Conferences, start by talking to the person seated next to you, this will give you more confidence to interact with a group of people during the lunch or coffee breaks.
Follow up via Social Media – Once you get to know people at these events it becomes easier to stay in touch via various social media networks. While LinkedIn and Facebook are the better known ones, there are various other social networks dedicated to people belonging to specific fields and industries (like E.Factor, Meetup, Opportunity etc). Being a part of such networks will enable you to share industry specific information and trends.
Community Associations – Being a part of local associations like NGOs, the Chamber of Commerce, etc will give you a strong sense of purpose, where you work for the betterment of the local society and economy.
Being a part of NGOs means you get to work alongside people with a common social purpose, building enduring relationships which may not necessarily translate into business opportunities, but leaves you with a sense of fulfilment. By joining the Chamber of Commerce, you get to work alongside your peers to protect the interests of the business community in your city.
Personal Connect – While meeting people at any of the above mentioned events/associations, approach them as individuals and not a means to an end. During the course of conversations talk less and listen more. Take time to listen to other peoples’ success stories, in case they are encountering any issues which you have the expertise to solve, offer your assistance (don’t push it). If they accept your offer, do everything within your power to solve their issues. People always appreciate someone who makes good on their promise. Also, always keep in touch with people you meet, even if you know for a fact that they are not in a position to help your business.
True to Yourself – At the end of the day, you have to remain true to who you are. None of the above strategies matter if you feel that you are playing a role. Beyond making an extra effort to be more sociable, just be yourself. If you are genuine and warm in your interactions with people, they will definitely respond with the same level of warmth.
This is the true benefit of networking, the people to people connect. So go out there and meet people, not just to secure business, but also to secure lifelong relationships.
