Build Partnerships And Leveraging Intelligence With Professional Networking
A good network makes many things possible in life: finding out about a great job at a company you've admired, winning over a customer through in-depth knowledge of their concerns, even discovering a new home. From the point of view of business and sales, a lot of planning is done outside of meeting rooms these days and can involve numerous joint-enterprises, making networking incredibly important.
Net Composites outlines this fact when announcing the next international composites industry summit, stating that the networking opportunities will allow delegates to "build teams, leverage intelligence and align partners to create a global network that establishes a competitive advantage for (...) businesses".
Successful networking has become a leading topic for business advice experts which take into account differences in personal characteristics, self-confidence levels, and being introverted or extroverted. Here are four pieces of advice which have stood out for us as being practical and straightforward when at networking events.
1. You've decided to build your network - but it does not have to be a four-hour event where you talk to 20 new people in speed dating mode. Know your limits. Start in small steps, such as talking to two people or staying half an hour at the event.
2. Contacts with potential business partners, colleagues or recruiters can often begin in the digital world then develop into real meetings. Many people find it easier to exchange ideas with someone who they already know from the internet.
3. You have a lot to say but are shy to take to the stage. By starting a blog, you can build a reputation and share your knowledge digitally. If you're not a long-form writer, engaging in comments on blogs that you enjoy reading, and sharing articles from others through social media allows you to connect with individuals who share similar interests.
4. The secret of good networking is not talking like a waterfall about your own ability - but to be in conversation with others, to bring ideas forward and to be able to respond to what they say. Networks live on mutual support.
At Smart Sales Consulting, we help Sales Managers develop the right tools, insights and analysis to empower their Teams and drive better performance. To find out more about our unique approach to sales coaching UK, call us 0330 2233149.