Sometimes, in the course of matching up professionals to network over lunch or coffee, we here at The Power Lunch Project (there, I got the plug out of the way early!) get an email that says, “I’m not getting anything out of this whole networking thing. It isn’t working for me.”
And that’s fine. Sometimes it’s scheduling issues. Other times it’s a matter of commitment (or lack thereof). And sometimes it’s just a fundamental lack of understanding about what business networking is.
So, here is the question I would like to pose:
How do you know when networking IS working for you?
Do you only define your networking success in terms of how much business you generate or are there other reasons for you to go out and meet other professionals? Here are some reasons that I get out there and “work the network” (other than referrals):
1) How Can I Help You? – In doing what I do, I derive my greatest joy from helping other business owners and professionals, be it by helping them connect with people they need to meet or helping them focus on what networking is all about. In this “connector” mode, I am also able to help the professionals who are already in my networking circle get hooked up with new people.
2) Been There, Done That – Let’s face it. Business owners and professionals love to talk about their businesses and most are more then willing to help you out with advice about a challenge you might be facing. So ask! You certainly aren’t the first one to run into issues when it comes to running your business and asking for another professional’s advice is the opportunity to create a certain amount of intimacy which can lead to a great long-term business relationship. (Just make sure you aren’t usurping too much of anyone’s time.)
3) What’s Going on Out There? – Being the business-phile that I am, I get a tremendous surge of energy when around the creative minds of other businesspeople and entrepreneurs. Learning about the ideas and projects that other professionals are working on can inspire ideas for your own business and career.
The bottom line is this. Business networking yields far more than just referrals. If you are tempted to say “Networking isn’t working for me”, I would ask you how you define “working” for you and what have you done lately for someone else?
Thoughts?
~ Sara @ The Power Lunch Project
http://www.ThePowerLunchProject.com
