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Why is networking important for business success and wealth creation? The answer is simple. It just so happens that hundreds or even thousands of people are hired into better positions than more qualified and experienced individuals simply because they have developed relationships with important centers of influence. Not. It is no coincidence that some politicians are elected president over others. This is because the politician has cultivated relationships with individual voters more than the opposition.
Through networking, you have the opportunity to expand your current knowledge base, business, and wealth creation. Through networking, you can expand your current skills and learn to communicate on different levels. Networking is communicating with others and building mutually beneficial relationships.
People often confuse networking with “contract volume.” However, the purpose of networking is simply to strengthen our cause. Think of networking as opening the door to the unknown. You might be tempted to believe that the more doors you have, the more likely you are to make the right kind of connections, but you’d be wrong.
Networking is by design. By placing yourself in situations where you attract others with whom you can establish mutually beneficial relationships, your potential rewards increase. Therefore, one of the greatest characteristics of a networking her leader is the ability to proactively identify which doors to open.
Related: 4 Reasons Why Networking is a Must for Every Successful Entrepreneur
5 ways to network your path to business growth and wealth
1. Do your homework
This may sound obvious, but you’d be surprised how many entrepreneurs overlook this part. Planning is part of networking and requires you to make a list and look for resources that can answer basic questions about the people or organizations you plan to meet. For example, who knows the person you are about to meet? Who else works with this person? Where do they live? I’m not suggesting stalking groups of potential networking targets. Rather, sit down and make a list of information that might help improve the quality of your potential interaction.
I learned the importance of doing homework when I had the opportunity to have dinner with author Mary Higgins Clark. Even though there are many ways to learn more about my famous upcoming dinner host, it took me a while to choose just a few. Step one was to go to my local bookstore, which has great networking resources. I asked the person working behind the counter if he had ever heard of Mary Higgins Clark. “Yes,” she replied, pointing to a display with more than a dozen books on display. Now I felt anxious. Despite my desire to read many of her best-selling novels, I only bought three of hers to read on the plane. As I left the bookstore, I found myself feeling less anxious and more excited about the encounters ahead.
2. Take the initiative to introduce yourself
When meeting someone notorious, regardless of your level of success, it’s natural to be nervous about making a bad first impression. Even the most charismatic people can say the wrong thing out of nervousness or excitement. I think it’s always wise to rely on civility. This seems like an obvious suggestion until you accidentally call someone by their first name after two minutes of introductions. Regardless of whether the person you’re trying to approach is famous or not, it’s always acceptable to ask, “How would you like to be addressed?” After self-introduction. I also like to have some questions in mind that start with the phrase “Tell me about…” followed by a reference to something you know about the person. Most people like to talk about themselves, so the more the conversation focuses on your new acquaintance rather than why they’re excited to meet you, the more likely it is that another meeting will occur. It will be expensive.
Fortunately, Mary Higgins Clark greeted me as I approached her house, so I didn’t have to make any decisions about how to approach my dinner host. Still, outside, Mary and I talked about a variety of topics, from family and hobbies to the stock market. She was very interested in the market. She asked a question that was frankly quite difficult to answer. Rather than trying to impress her (a common mistake when trying to impress her), I responded to her questions with simple, straightforward answers.
Related: 10 Networking Commandments You Need to Know to Build Authentic Connections
3. Let’s talk about them
You never want to seem better, smarter, or more knowledgeable than your partner in a conversation. If you do this, you will seem condescending and may have closed the door despite your desire to build a foundation for further interaction.In fact, that should be your goal listen There are more questions than you answer. Invite the person to share information about themselves and participate in the conversation. Find common interests. Finally, do what you need to do to make yourself appear approachable. Providing business cards is just one way she ensures this happens.
Happily, leveraging effective networking skills with Mary Higgins Clark quickly paid off. For example, after a nice conversation over dinner in New England, as I was about to leave, she asked if Mary could talk for a moment. I walked with her to the corner of her room. So she said: “I really like you and you explained the answers to my questions very easily. I would like to open an investment account with another company.” Open an account. ”
4. Communicate frequently
Why did this happen? It was simply because I took the initiative to keep in touch. There are many ways to do this. Writing thank you notes, sending notes with articles of interest, and remembering important events with flowers are all examples of frequent contact. Sending an email message is less personal than a letter, but it also exposes your name and contact information. Make regular calls to certain contacts, and if they happen to be in the area, take them out to lunch or give them a quick call to say hello.
5. Find ways to praise others
Making others feel good is essential to getting through the door once it’s open. Congratulating someone on their accomplishments or thanking them for taking the time to talk to you is a way to compliment them. This doesn’t mean you have to act like a raving fan. Instead, think about what you can say that will make the other person feel good about themselves. Praising your accomplishments can make the conversation feel competitive. Having a calm self-awareness while complimenting others makes you appear confident and worthy of further contact.
The last word
Successful entrepreneurs cannot achieve their business or financial goals without the help of others. It doesn’t matter how much knowledge, qualifications or experience you have. Without the help of others, you probably won’t be able to achieve great results. Push yourself to reach outside your immediate comfort zone, explore different ideas, and discover a world of potential opportunities for yourself and your business.
Mastering the art of networking increases your ability and opportunity to create the business growth and wealth you desire.
