Power of Networking for Small Businesses

Small business owners use networking as means to form relationships with others in hopes to expand their business ability to get new clients, customers, and partner and grow. The fundamental key of networking is to get exposure and make you recognized.

The idea or principle of this is that the more people you meet, the more people there will be to get to know and remember both you and the business. It’s important to meet and connect with people across all fields because you don’t know from which side opportunity will come from.

Let’s look at the reasons why networking is so important in modern day business:

· Business Leads

Networking is a great form of meeting new potential clients and the more you make new contacts you increase your business opportunities. Communicate professionally when you follow up on business leads, be sensitive to timing and use common courtesy when following up with contacts.

· Connections

You know the phrase “It’s not WHAT you know but it’s WHO you know” This is very important when building successful business. To grow your new business venture you will need to have a strong source of relevant connections in your network to call when necessary. Also it’s not just about who you networking with directly either- that person has their own connection you can tap into as well through them. It’s very important to ask the right questions to find out if the person you are networking with knows who you want to know.

· Builds Self Confidence

By regularly networking and putting yourself out there to engage and collaborate with new contacts through discussions, your confidence gets boosted. Your interpersonal and speaking skills get elevated and this reflects well on your self- confidence. Networking is actually a great exercise for people with less self- confidence as it really pushes them to grow and learn how to make conversations and lasting connections with people they don’t know.

"Align all the elements of your life to support the pursuit of what has deep meaning to you"

Nozuko Tikayo