Let's talk networking

     Networking puts a friendly face on your business.

     Business networking is an effective way to talk to other business people. It is informal. It is relaxed. And it is effective. 

     You know the drill. Networking groups are held by local chambers of commerce, other businesses, economic development groups, private companies (e.g., BNI), MeetUp groups (Google MeetUp.com to find groups near you), and others. 

     Business people come together, meet each other, exchange information, and provide leads to expand your business reach. It's business social interaction.

     A networking meeting is a lot more than exchanging business cards. Some people attend these meetings to pass out their business cards to everyone. They press their business card into every hand and then they move on to the next person.

     For some, this is networking. Others have a better idea.

     A typical networking meeting lasts an hour or two. During this time, you can target and meet 3 or 4 business people. Introduce yourself and begin a conversation--not about you, but about them.

     Getting the other person to talk about what they do is an easy start. Quite naturally, the conversation will turn to what you do. Landscapers meet chefs. Bakers meet bankers. Jewelers meet gallery owners. 

     These can be valuable contacts for your growing business. You might find another tax professional, a future landlord, a lawyer who specializes in debt collections.

     Perhaps more importantly, a brief, 15 or 20 minute conversation can lead to new customers--not just the person in front of you, but referrals from others they know. In-depth conversations at networking events can have the effect of expanding your own business.

     If you don't know a local networking group, ask around. Or start one of your own--check out that MeetUp.com website. They make it easy to form a group, keep in touch, and schedule events. 

     Networking is a valuable tool that every owner of a small business can use to advantage. Give it a try. After all, what's an hour or two when it can bring you new contacts and customers.

Never give up!

    

   The first rule of small business--Never Give Up!

     People who run their own businesses are creative, hard-working, tenacious and stubborn. But sometimes they can get confused.

     It's an everyday kind of confusion. Not to worry.

     Owners wonder if they are on the right track. They worry about lack of money and time. They consider going in another direction. They start to question everything.

     They worry about cash flow--it seems to flow out faster than it flows in. They worry about customers and clients--am I satisfying them so they return, and will they refer others to me. They worry about growing the business--am I on the right track. They worry about everything.

     Worrying is good. Be stubborn. Be tenacious. Your hard work will pay off. You will create a successful operation. Be patient. Learn to compartmentalize. Separate the problems, and focus on one thing at a time. Tackle confusion by listing the problems. Take one at a time and think about possible answers. Try one approach and watch how it works. Work your way through your list. 

     Clarify your thinking by concentrating your efforts on what works--no matter how small. You'll find that confusion and worry begin to go away. The right track will emerge.

     Remember this: The paths to success are many. What works for you might not work for me. But you are finding your path. And the first rule is: Never give up!