Posted: 2nd February 2015
Blog post by WiRe Member Cheryl Turner from Tao Business Solutions
I first had the idea of working for myself sometime during 2011, after ranting to my partner how unhappy I was in the job I was doing at the time. He actually planted the first seed, and yes, I laughed! As I thought about it, the idea grew on me and a battle plan was drawn up.
In August 2011, whilst still working part-time in the unhappy job, I attended my first ever networking meeting – a breakfast event, in Cannock, my home town. I was so nervous I hardly slept a wink the night before. Entering a room full of established business people at 7.30 in the morning was one of the hardest challenges I’d ever faced – the mixed emotions of not wanting to be left alone, but not really wanting anyone to ask me anything either! I don’t think I ate anything, and I didn’t even have any business cards. A total newbie novice. Terrified. A rabbit in the headlights.
For the first two years of Tao Business Solutions, I tried so many different networking groups and at times, found I was spending more time networking than actually doing any work. However, my connections were slowly growing, along with my confidence. And my business cards were getting some great feedback …….
I’ve just started my fourth year in business, and I’ve settled on three regular networking groups.
I’ve been a member of WiRE since 2011 and attend the monthly meetings of the Cannock group. I value the support WiRE gives its members, both at the meetings and via the facilities available on line and the training opportunities and annual conference. If you’ve not filled out your market place profile yet, what are you waiting for?
I also attend two local breakfast networking groups, which both operate on a “sector exclusivity” basis. I appreciate that this approach doesn’t work for everyone but it’s nice to be referred to as the “expert” in the room for my field (social media).
All 3 groups are very different in their dynamics, but the underlying principles are very similar: networking is all about getting to know people, learning more about their business and gaining trust.
If networking isn’t working for you, are your expectations misaligned? Do you enter a room and immediately ask yourself “who can I do business with in this room?” Do you leave a networking event demotivated because you can’t see anyone in the room giving you any business?
It’s time to stop and think!
Whilst we’d all like to gain business from everyone we meet, the truth is, it’s not going to happen. What could happen though is work coming your way through your growing network of connections – the people you have got to know, the people who have grown to like you, and most importantly, those who have learned to trust you.
To put it another way, would you recommend a business or service to someone if you didn’t have complete faith in that business or service yourself?
No. I thought not!
Just remember these Top 5 networking tips and watch your business grow.
Networking success won’t fall into your lap overnight but keep going and you’ll get there.
Cheryl Turner Tao Business Solutions www.taobusinesssolutions.co.uk
