Are You Working Without A Net?

What is Networking?

The first thought for some people when they hear “networking” is that it is some sort of “hoo-rah” multi-level marketing sales pitch presentation or a large group of business professionals shaking hands and passing out business cards while sipping on cocktails! If you’ve been in business for any length of time, you’ve likely been invited to visit a networking meeting or event or maybe you’ve invited someone yourself? Perhaps you declined (or your invitation to attend was rejected) because of a lack of understanding of what Networking truly is. When Adam Small, the founder of Strategic Business Network, believes that “NETWORKING is the single most powerful marketing tactic to accelerate and sustain success for any individual or organization!” it is something all business owners should learn about.

So, if Networking is one of the most powerful marketing tactics available, what is it! Networking can be defined as making connections and building enduring, mutually beneficial relationships. In other words, it’s the building of personal business relationships for the purposes of growing your business and helping it stand out among your competitors in the market place. When networking, you are getting to know the personalities and workmanship of other business professionals and developing the relationship so that they can educate those in their client base and in their sphere of influence about the products or services that you provide. You then provide the same for them. Networking is a reciprocal relationship. It’s is not about who you know but who knows you in exchange for who you know. So, the initial benefit of networking is growing your consumer base utilizing these relationships. In addition, Networking also allows you to broaden your knowledge base of other businesses, share ideas, participate in your community, and learn of more opportunities. In this way, Networkers are a resource to help others succeed. Back to our misconceptions, while sales between networkers does happen and networkers often become friends, this is not the reason that one should network. Networking, when done correctly, is NOT a social event or a sales pitch… it is a sound marketing tactic.

To find out more about the types of networking organizations in our community continue reading at: http://www.gwinnettcitizen.com/gc/18-local-news/92-are-you-working-without-a-net#sthash.4JWeRmYP.dpuf