By: Leann Wolff, Great Outcomes Consulting, LLC, a member since 2009

Leann will present How to do Business at Business After Hours on Thursday, October 14. Register!

Let’s start with the real first question: Are you networking?

No? Did you say “It’s not my job” under your breath? It may not be your “job” but it is your career. The bottom line is that you owe it to yourself to network. Not that long ago, I did little to no networking because I spent all of my energy doing my job. I wasn’t avoiding reaching out – I just didn’t make time for the activity. When the job ended and networking became central to my work, I learned how much I had been missing!

What is in it for you? Networking connects you to the community and opens doors to talented people who can be important resources and mentors from different industries and professions. Your horizons and opportunities grow exponentially as you meet people and expand your network.

If you are networking, how often do you have a networking conversation? If you are a business owner or are involved in helping a business grow, networking is (or should be) a frequent activity.

But wait! Who is not involved in helping a business grow?

What is in it for your company? The people who work in a business can be its best advocates…or its worst. Positive networking is easy for people who are engaged in their work and feel valued – they want their friends and families to know how great their company is. Networking by employees expands the company’s spheres of influence and gets the word out to more and more people (potential customers, future colleagues, etc.) in the area and the region.

Two important caveats about networking:
1) Networking depends on how much you are willing to give. Yes, GIVE. If you are focused solely on what you want from the connections you make, your networking will fail. Successful networking is about connecting with others – finding out what is important to them, even when you or your business cannot help. The value you bring to your networking relationships is helping them connect to others in your network. And when the time is right, they will reciprocate and you will benefit over and over.

2) Your success depends on follow through. If you don’t follow up, you might as well not even make the attempt – you’ll be wasting your time as well as the contacts you make. Your follow through demonstrates that you made a real connection with this person. It also demonstrates that you can be counted on to do what you say. You are building your reputation and your personal brand, as well as that of your company.

Steps to get you started:
In reality, what keeps you from networking effectively? Inertia, probably. It always takes a little bit of extra energy to get the momentum building. Here are three small steps to get your networking started or pumped up:
1. Sign up for the Chamber’s next Business After Hours on Thursday, October 14. Register!
2. Show up for Business After Hours at 4:30 p.m.
3. Talk to three people you don’t already know at the event.

Oh, yes…and follow up with those people you meet.

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