Business Education

Business Networking Pros and Cons: What You Need to Know

Business networking can feel like a real-life roller coaster ride in constant motion. It can be exciting or uneasy with its ups and downs. Some entrepreneurs truly enjoy the experience. Others genuinely dislike it. And still, more approach it half-heartedly and network inconsistently.

Regardless of which best describes you, chances are excellent you could use a few bits of good advice about how to get the most out of it. But just as importantly, you need to know when networking works for you and when it’s not. So, let’s break down the pros and cons of business networking so you can understand what you’re getting into.

The Bright Side of Networking: Pros That Shine

Before we get into determining if networking is helping your business, we’ll first take a look at its advantages and disadvantages. Although the reasons seem self-evident, there is a bit of nuance that lies underneath. Like many other things in life, there’s more complexity than appears on the surface. Now, here’s what you need to know about the pros and cons of networking:

Expanding your circle. Networking helps you meet people you wouldn’t normally cross paths with. Think of it like throwing a big net into a pond—every fish you catch is a new connection. These relationships can lead to new opportunities, clients, and partnerships. The more connections you have, the wider your reach becomes.
Knowledge sharing. When you network, you’re surrounded by people with different experiences and skills. It’s like attending a grand potluck dinner. Everyone brings their specialty dish, and you get to taste a bit of everything. By sharing insights and expertise, you can learn valuable lessons that might save you time and effort down the road.
Boosting your visibility. In business, being visible is crucial. Networking helps put your name out there. The more you connect with others, the more they remember you when opportunities arise. This visibility can lead to referrals and recommendations that might not come your way otherwise.

Also, building self-confidence and trust. Each time you meet someone new, you practice your communication skills. Over time, this builds confidence and fosters trust. It’s like training a muscle; the more you use it, the stronger it gets. This self-assurance can help you in pitches, presentations, and everyday interactions.

The Flip Side: Cons That Can’t Be Ignored

Of course, networking doesn’t always produce the desired results. It can be counterproductive and business owners need to understand why it doesn’t always work. Here are the most common pitfalls you should know about to make better use of your time:

Time consuming. Networking can eat up a lot of your day. Attending events, meetings, and follow-ups can become overwhelming. It’s similar to trying to fill a cup with a fire hose; you might end up feeling rushed and burnt out. If you’re not careful, it can take time away from your core business tasks.
High expectations. Some people enter networking with big hopes. They expect instant results and connections that turn into gold. But that’s often not how it goes. Think of business networking like planting a garden. It takes time for seeds to grow. If you aren’t patient, the wait can be frustrating and discouraging.
Skill mismatch. Not everyone you meet will be in your industry or even understand your business. Imagine walking into a conversation about rocket science when you’re more into baking. This mismatch can make conversations awkward and unproductive. It’s essential to find the right circles that align with your interests and goals.

And then, there is the potential for superficial connections. Not every connection will lead to a strong relationship. Often, networking can feel surface-level. You may end up with a stack of business cards but no real friendships or partnerships.

Finding the Balance

Business networking isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, but it has its bright spots. It’s a mix of chances and challenges. Knowing the pros and cons can help you approach networking with a clear strategy. Whether you’re diving in deep or dipping your toes, being aware equips you for what lies ahead. The journey can be rewarding if you navigate wisely.

How to Know If Networking is Helping Your Business Grow

Networking can feel like a puzzle for many entrepreneurs. It’s not just about handing out business cards or shaking hands. (Though you will do plenty of those things and more.) Because there isn’t a direct, detailed report to refer to, it’s hard to know when networking is paying off. So how can you tell if your networking efforts are really making a difference? Let’s take a look at how it breaks down.

The Ripple Effect: Connections to Opportunities

You’ve heard the cliche about tossing a stone into a pond – it creates ripples. Networking works the same way. The more people you meet, the more opportunities can come your way. Are you seeing new clients or partnerships popping up in your life? If your phone’s buzzing with inquiries or collaborations, that’s an obvious sign your networking is paying off. But, there are more signs networking is bringing in new opportunities. So, keep an eye out for a few key signs that your networking is effective:

Increased referrals. Are you getting more referrals from new contacts? If people start mentioning your name positively, it shows your network is growing.
New partnerships. Have you formed any new partnerships or collaborations? If you’re working with others on projects, that’s a strong indicator that your outreach is effective.
Expanding your reach. Are you meeting people in different industries? If your network is stretching beyond your usual circles, you’re likely tapping into new markets and ideas.

Tracking Your Connections: The Numbers Game

In business, numbers matter. Track how many new contacts you make each month. Are those contacts turning into leads or sales? If you see a rise in leads, your networking is likely contributing to your business growth. It’s basically gardening for business; the more seeds you plant, the more flowers you can expect to bloom. To measure the impact of networking, consider the following:

Follow-up success. After meeting someone, do they reach out or reply to your emails? A strong follow-up indicates they’re interested in what you’re offering.
Social media growth. Are you gaining followers on platforms or is your audience number staying the same? If your connections are engaging with your content, you’re likely reaching the right audience.
Event participation. Are more people inviting you to events or workshops? Being sought after is a good sign your network values you.

In networking, it’s not just about how many people you know. It’s about building genuine relationships. When you connect with someone on a deeper level, they are more likely to think of you when opportunities arise. This means you need to focus on creating valuable relationships. To do this, ask yourself:

Am I offering help? Are you sharing your expertise or resources with your connections? Helping others can lead to reciprocal benefits.
Am I staying in touch? Regular communication keeps you on people’s minds. Are you the person they think of when they need something?

The broader your network, the more perspectives and ideas you have access to. Engaging with people from various fields can spark creativity and innovation. If you find yourself inspired or coming up with fresh ideas after networking, you’re clearly in the right circles. When you surround yourself with diverse individuals, ask yourself:

Am I learning something new? Do your conversations challenge your thinking? If you’re gaining insights that help you grow, your networking is effective.
Am I adapting my approach? Are you changing your business strategies based on what you learn? A willingness to adapt shows that you’re making the most of your connections.

Ultimately, trust your instincts. If networking feels good and you see positive changes in your business, it’s likely a sign that it’s working. Keep nurturing those connections, learning from others, and watch your business thrive. Networking isn’t just a task; it’s a journey that can lead to amazing opportunities.

Want to Accomplish More?

Do you want your company to grow faster and earn more while you spend more time with your family doing all the things you started your business to do?

We can make that dream a reality. Give us 30 minutes and we will show you how to get your life back. Skeptical? Good! Put us to the test.

You can call us for your free appointment at (602) 541-1760, or, if you prefer, Waters Business Consulting Group to learn more about us and the services we offer.

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How to Know when It’s Time to Walk Away from a Business

July 19, 2018 No Comments

Walking away from a business is always a tough decision. Even if it’s a much-needed cathartic relief, there’s still the matter of the unknown as to what comes next. Regardless of circumstances, you should know that it’s ultimately the right decision. That’s not always an easy thing to do because it’s human nature to second-guess or to look back with 20/20 hindsight. If you’re thinking about walking away, that notion certainly doesn’t come out of nowhere. There is something driving it and you need to understand when it’s no longer worth your time and effort. Walking Away from a Business doesn’t necessarily Mean Shutting It Down Let’s begin with the fact that it’s not always a bad situation. There are definitely times when the right move is to move on to something new. For example, you’ve set a goal and now have realized it. So, go out on top and start something new. Or, if you’ve always wanted to try this or that and the company you’re running now is humming along, then go for it. In business, it’s important to understand the difference between bad luck and bad judgement. Misfortune will often masquerade as a mistake, and has caused many talented people to walk away from their business ventures prematurely. Getting a startup past the first year is commonly regarded as the biggest challenge to any entrepreneur. Sometimes hitting a bump in the road is just that and the best approach is to weather the storm, keep calm and carry on. But how do you know if your business still has a future and how do you turn around the fortunes of your struggling enterprise? —The Guardian The point is, there are times when it’s perfectly fine to walk away from a business without having to close the doors. You can hand over the company to a protegé, or pass it on to your children. It’s healthy to build something up, watch it grow, and then enjoy the fruits of your labor. Signs It’s Time to Walk Away from a Business Now, it’s not always the case that you succeed. And, failure does come in many forms. You just need to know when it’s time to throw in the towel. Now, not all are as obvious as a natural disaster, but, there are some which do mean it’s no longer worth the fight: It’s consistently busy but unprofitable. This is perhaps the most perplexing circumstance but it does happen. Some businesses have enough or more than enough business, yet they simply can’t realize a profit. If you’ve already reduced your operating expenses and if customers/clients will not pay more for your services or product, and you still can’t produce a profit, staying open is just an exercise in futility. Key employees keep leaving. You might well be profitable but only marginally. What’s worse is that you can’t seem to keep the best talent. This is a sign there’s something serious going awry and if you can’t identify it, it might just be time to walk away. There’s no clear path forward. If you can’t seem to envision the future clearly, there’s definitely a reason why. And, without a clear path ahead, you’re essentially walking blindfolded, which can easily lead to a bad set of inescapable circumstances. Do you have an accurate picture on your backorders or pipeline of prospective business that is required to meet your sales to produce a profit? Customers have mixed experiences. Another sign it’s time to move on is inconsistent feedback. You hear good and bad without any obvious reason. If you can’t get to the bottom of it, you’ll never make it work right. What other signs tell you it’s time to go? Please share your thoughts and experiences by commenting! Interested in learning more about why your business isn’t performing? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

Apple, Amazon Hit $1 Trillion while Brick-and-Mortars Lose — Here’s the Lesson

September 30, 2018 No Comments

News recently hit that Apple and Amazon have reached $1 trillion in market value. Wow. That’s really something but not unexpected. After all, it was only a matter of time. Meanwhile, brick-and-mortar retailers continue to struggle — especially legacy stores. So, why such a disparity? We all know the quick answer — failure to adapt to a changing marketplace. (It’s why there’s just one, lone Blockbuster in the entire United States.) The underlying lesson is the ones getting left behind might have well enjoyed a lot of past success. But now, they’re stuck. And, that’s the most important takeaway. How to Know if You’re Stuck So, what does it mean to be stuck? More importantly, what does it feel like? Unfortunately, this is a phenomenon which isn’t always readily apparent. It might slowly creep up and surprise you in an unexpected moment. The good news is, you can usually tell. For instance, if you just don’t experience the thrill or feel the passion. That’s the most obvious. It’s not uncommon for a business to begin to spin its wheels. For you company owners, it will feel like you’re treading water, and while you may not wake up to it right away, eventually it will start to weigh on your mind. Most of the time, these periods will pass, as they may simply be down to such things as seasonal trends or other outside market forces. But when they drag on too long, it could indeed be time to make some significant changes. —Entrepreneur.com A more subtle telltale sign is when you rationalize a rut as a normal routine. Or, when you see the competition moving ahead, yet you can’t seem to make any real headway. Those too, are signs you’re stuck in-place. Tops Ways to Get Unstuck Now, if you feel stuck, you probably are and fortunately, there are ways out. The good news is, you don’t have to make huge changes. Here are a few helpful suggestions for how to get unstuck: Try something new. Change up your routine. Or, go in a different direction. The point is to try something new out and do so with flexibility. In other words, don’t go all-in. Instead, slowly dip your toes in the water and test it out. You’ll probably feel excitement and even experience some inspiration. Take an impromptu hiatus. You probably have a trip planned. But, in the meantime, there you are, feeling stuck; feeling uninspired. So, change it up and take an impromptu hiatus to relax, refresh, and unwind. You’ll come back with a whole new outlook. Reach out to an experienced business coach. One of the reasons you feel stuck is because you’re stuck inside of you. Put another way, you’re not looking at things with a fresh set of eyes. Get a different perspective and advice from an experienced business coach. Take advantage of seeing what someone on the outside sees. Then, embrace what you learn. What other suggestions would you offer to get unstuck? Please share your thoughts and experiences by commenting! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

Here’s What Small Business should Really Know about Retained Earnings

March 24, 2022 No Comments

The world has gone crazy. Well, it certainly seems that’s the case. Inflation continues to push up prices on just about everything. There’s a hot war in Europe that’s seriously impacting the free flow (and cost) of energy. All of this, not to mention an ongoing labor shortage, materials shortages, and plenty of other madness, wreaking havoc on day-to-day life. Of course, businesses aren’t immune to this madness — particularly small businesses. What this chaos does teach any entrepreneur or current business owner is the importance of retained earnings. But, what are retained earnings and how can small businesses build them up for difficult times that will inevitably unfold in the future? What are Retained Earnings Anyway? Retained earnings are an important part of any business. They are the funds that a company sets aside to cover expenses during tough times or to reinvest in the business. (Like now, when the entire world is topsy turvy and the economic circumstances are unstable and unpredictable, to say the least.) Retained earnings are an important concept in accounting. The term refers to the historical profits earned by a company, minus any dividends it paid in the past. The word “retained” captures the fact that because those earnings were not paid out to shareholders as dividends they were instead retained by the company. For this reason, retained earnings decrease when a company either loses money or pays dividends, and increase when new profits are created. —Investopedia.com During normal circumstances, retained earnings are generally used to expand. Examples include hiring additional employees, purchasing new equipment, bringing in new or more inventory to sell, or even acquiring new commercial property. But, when sales slow and the business isn’t earning enough, retained earnings can be used as savings to bridge the gap. How to Build Up a Business’ Retained Earnings One of the most important aspects of any business is its retained earnings. Retained earnings are funds that a company sets aside to cover expenses during tough times or to reinvest in the business. This money can be critical for businesses when they need to maintain cash flow during difficult periods or invest in new opportunities. There are two main ways to build up retained earnings. The first is to generate profits and reinvest them back into the business. This can be done by reinvesting profits into new products, expanding the business, or hiring new staff. The second way to build up retained earnings is to reduce expenses. This can be accomplished by cutting costs in areas such as marketing and/or overhead expenses. If you want your business to be prepared for anything, it is important to have a healthy retained earnings account. By reinvesting profits and reducing expenses, you can ensure that your company has the funds it needs to weather any storm. With a strong foundation of retained earnings, your business can thrive for years to come. Entrepreneurs should also Carefully Consider Retained Earnings if Buying an Existing Business When evaluating a company’s financial statement, it is important to look at the retained earnings line item. This number will tell you how much money a company has set aside to cover expenses during tough times or to reinvest in the business. If you are interested in investing in a company, it is important to make sure that its retained earnings account is healthy and growing. What else do you think new and existing business owners should know about retained earnings? Please share your own thoughts and experiences so others can better understand this important topic. Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.