There's no getting away from the fact that face-2-face networking is an essential part of any business’s marketing strategy - businesses ignore that fact at their peril!
A colleague recently stated "You should not have to look for work if you are well connected" I suspect that this statement was set to stir discussion! So let’s see.
As to large networks.... 2 things here. Firstly, time and effort generate a large worthwhile network. How do you define "worthwhile"? Well, that's the thing... In making contacts through networking you're reaching out to a far greater network than the person you are talking to.
People new to business or networking sometimes ask how and where they find the essential contacts to grow their business, because at that point they can feel they know no one. Everybody knows somebody and a good starting point is family. Who do members of your family know? And who do those contacts know? And who do those contacts know? and so on…. You’d be amazed at how many contacts and potential business just one or two members of family can lead to.
So you never really know who is "worthwhile". Or do you? Let me know.
Secondly, are we talking about meeting large groups of people at say a conference or exhibition? My experience is that all "events" are worthwhile. It's what you do with the contacts you make after any event which are important. I just love being able to put businesses with synergy together.
I deviate! In answer to the statement "You should not have to look for work if you are well connected". Was he implying that we just wait for our contacts to knock on our door? If so, then I would suggest that this is foolhardy.
All things worthwhile take effort, not least our businesses. BUT if we are well connected with good networks ie contacts, then we have some tools to work with and we can continue to make the effort, maintain our contacts, arrange meetings to get work, grow and strengthen our businesses. Our friends and families can help us with this, but it’s not enough – we need their contacts too!
What does anyone else think?
Jackie Groundsell – co-founder of 1230 The Women’s Company t: +44 (0)20 8650 8015 m: 07930 756012 e: jgroundsell@1230.co.uk www.1230.co.uk http://twitter.com/1230jackie
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