BX Business Networking Reimagined
Making the Most out of Business Networking Events I understand that the common perception of networking is, "My God, everyone is trying to sell me something, and trading business cards left and right. It's dated and out of style." This is something I regularly encounter. Our approach is unique. Therefore, I've coined the phrase "Business Networking Reimagined" to describe what we do at Bx. However, before you attend your first (or next) small business networking events, hear my advice on how to get the most out of it.
Do not go into a networking event thinking you're going to make a sale. At no point is it acceptable to try to sell anything to anyone at a networking event. We emphasize the no-selling policy at all of our networking events. This is true wherever people gather, but the focus is naturally on making sales at small business networking events. Everyone tells me I must drum up some new business and make fresh sales. Exactly how can I accomplish this, then? OK, I'll make a sale to the crowd here today. They survey the room and mentally tally how many potential targets there are: 20, 30, 40, or 50. Do not even bother trying to sell that. Consider the question, "How can I connect with people?" How do I make real friends?
This is the point of attending a networking function. You cannot have a successful network without establishing solid connections and relationships. Make yourself more marketable by expanding your circle of friends, acquaintances, and colleagues from whom you can draw advice, assistance, and introductions. That is the goal of attending a networking event. You should connect with as many people as possible so you may recommend them for more jobs. To put it another way, that is what small business networking events is all about. How can you best expand your company contacts at a networking function? Well, it is all about asking for introductions to other people you can work with and partner with, and that leads me to the next step: referral relationships.
You may get the most out of a networking event if you want to form connections and establish referral partnerships. But what exactly is a referral partner? That is yet another company operating in the world. It may or may not be exactly like yours, but it does aid the same kinds of customers that you do. Furthermore, it does not try to outdo you in the market. A referral relationship operates in this manner for Small Business Networking Events. Now, let's define networking. How can one make the most of such an experience? Instead of trying to make a sale, focus on making connections.
Source: www.bxnetworking.blogspot.com