This is the first in a three-part series about the benefits of networking

So you own a successful business.  Or are a successful salesperson with a profitable company.  Or just a person with great ideas and vision.  You spend money on advertising and marketing trying to locate new clients and customers for your business.  It works.  You are making money.  Business is good.  You have a satisfied customer base that likes you and your product.  Your clients are so happy that they recommends your services to others.  You set goals and typically reach them.  You have big plans for 2008.  Life is good.  Now, why would you want to change things and start networking with other business owners and professionals?

Because you can do even better.  That’s why.

Networking, stripped of all the value-added, mission critical business lingo, is simply the act of meeting new people in a business context.  Pure and simple, it can be one of the most valuable — and easiest — ways to grow your idea, company or business in 2008.

Here are just a few great reasons for any business professional to consider networking as part of their plan for 2008:

• Networking is a cost-effective way to meet with more people who might be able to use your service in the future or recommend your services to others.  Ultimately, people want to work with people that they already know.  The most successful companies and salespeople are generally the ones that get the most referrals from satisfied customers and business acquaintances.
• It can also strengthen your control over the clock by reducing the time and money required to gain new customers.  These “extra” hours each day can be used to do more business and increase your profits.
• Networking is also an excellent way to learn about new business opportunities and services that may be useful to you in the future.  You can also expand your knowledge base by meeting new people in other professions and learn complementary skills.
• Not everyone that networks is employed or looking to grow their business.  You might be looking for a new passion.  Rather than mass e-mailing resumes or weighing down your postman with cover letters and job applications, you can meet individuals directly who may be able to help you.  Networking can provide a gateway to a potential introduction with a future employer.  As many of us have found it, it is often not what you but who you know that counts.  Networking expands who you know, and puts the odds in your favor that your networking colleague’s brother’s girlfriend’s mom knows someone who is looking for someone like you.  Or, if you are changing careers, one of your networking colleagues can be a living, breathing demonstration of what it is like to work in that industry
• You are able to keep your hand on the pulse of your local and regional business community.  Networking can give you the “inside info” that will help you keep on top of changes in your industry.

Instead of asking “why” you should network, ask why not? 

In tomorrow’s blog post, we will take a walk down Networking Street and learn about places where you can grow your business.  Stay tuned and look both ways before you cross the street …

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