Making the Most of Conferences
Business Networking
Networking is an essential part of building business relationships and contacts, developing sales opportunities and increasing your visibility in the market. There are numerous places you can network including conferences, industry events, clubs, groups, office parties or even when commuting to work.
Always have a supply of business cards with you, as you never know when you might meet someone who could be a potential contact. Be proactive but polite when interacting with people in business or social situations. Coming across too aggressively or with too much of a "sales pitch" may put people off. Taking time to listen and to get to know other people is an excellent way to build business relationships. Ask open ended questions, this shows you are interested in the person and will also give you a better idea of their needs.
When networking you need to be genuine in order to build trust and relationships. Show you have something to offer, a person is far more likely to want to develop a business relationship with you and add you to their contact list if you prioritise their needs rather than just trying to get something from them. Always follow up on referrals quickly, this will demonstrate that you value and respect them. A quick phone call or email is an excellent way to build networking relationships.
A relatively new form of business networking is through online professional networking sites like LinkedIn, which has more than one hundred and twenty million members worldwide. Another business networking site is Ecademy, which offers membership to business owners and entrepreneurs.
Building positive business relationships through networking opportunities, joining voluntary organisations, office meetings or social occasions will help your business grow.