Staying Connected

Staying Connected

Over the course of your business life you'll come in contact with a
number of other business people. They could be lawyers, business
services, suppliers, customers, etc. These people are important to your
business in more ways than one. If you hired them or they bought your
product or service, you can also gain their business knowledge,
experience, ideas, and advice. How do you do this? Stay Connected!
Network! Networking is when two or more different businesses stay in
contact on a regular basis to build and improve each others business.

Consider all the benefits you'll gain from talking to other business
people:

Knowledge or information that you didn't have before
Advice on how to solve a current business problem
Leads to a new business project or opportunity
Joint ventures and cross promotion deals
Learn important skills that you didn't have before
Constructive criticism that improved your business
Brainstorming that sparks a profitable business idea
Encouraging and motivational statements

There are many ways to meet business people. Join business clubs and
associations. Participate in on-line business-related forums, e-mail
discussion groups, and chat rooms. Go to business expos and trade shows.
Use your creativity to come up with even more ideas.

If you have the time, start your own networking group. You could hold
meetings at a local seminar room, at a park , or at your own business
building. If you want to hold meetings on-line use a private chat room.
Publish a print or e-mail newsletter to keep members informed of meeting
time and dates.

Keep all your business associates' contact information all in one
place. Have it organized by business type or profession for easy
finding. So when you need some advice on a new marketing campaign you
can call that marketing expert you met at that trade show in Ohio a
couple of weeks ago.

Networking is a surefire way to build a successful business. I have
used it countless times and will continue too. I have also met a lot of
business people who are now some of my closest friends.

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