Business Education

Strategic Secrets to Build a Networking Group That Unlocks Real Opportunities (Not Just Referrals)

When someone starts their first business, they do what every entrepreneur is told to do—join a networking group. They meet, shake hands, swap business cards, and trade referrals with people who barely remember their name the following week. After months of forced small talk and zero real opportunities, most entrepreneurs are ready to quit.

But what if that entrepreneur met a mentor who invited them to a small, curated group of professionals who approached networking differently? No scripted pitches, no transactional exchanges—just meaningful conversations and a shared goal of lifting each other up.

This wouldn’t just be a networking group. It would be a community built on trust, collaboration, and real growth. And the good news? You can create one too. Here’s how.

How to Form a Local Networking Group That Goes Beyond Referrals

Building a local networking group can be a powerful way to foster professional growth, collaboration, and community impact. While many groups focus solely on generating referrals, a truly effective network can offer much more—think skill-sharing, mentorship, and collective problem-solving. Here’s how to create a local networking group that delivers lasting value beyond business leads.

Define a Broader Purpose

Start by crafting a mission that transcends referrals. Ask yourself: What unique value can this group bring to its members and the community? Perhaps it’s supporting career transitions, promoting innovation, or addressing local challenges like sustainability or education.

For example, a group of small business owners might focus on sharing operational strategies, not just client recommendations. A clear, inspiring purpose attracts like-minded individuals and sets the tone for deeper engagement.

Keep it specific but flexible. “Empowering professionals to grow through collaboration and skill-building” beats a vague “networking for success.” Write this mission down—it’s your group’s North Star.

Identify Your Core Members

Recruit a small, diverse founding team who share your vision. Look for people with complementary skills—say, a marketer, a tech expert, and a local chamber member. Diversity in backgrounds and industries sparks richer discussions and ideas. Reach out through personal invites, local events, or platforms like Meetup or LinkedIn.
Aim for 5-10 committed starters; too many early voices can dilute focus. Screen for enthusiasm and willingness to contribute, not just attend. These pioneers will help shape the group’s culture and activities.

Design Meaningful Activities

Ditch the “elevator pitch only” format. Plan events that encourage real connection and value exchange. Also, host workshops where members teach skills—like a graphic designer leading a branding session or an accountant explaining tax hacks.
Organize roundtables to tackle industry trends or local issues. You can choose such things as adapting to economic shifts or supporting a charity. Even casual meetups can include a “challenge swap,” where members pitch problems and brainstorm solutions together.
Rotate formats to keep it fresh. The goal? Every gathering leaves members with new insights, not just business cards.

Set a Simple Structure

Keep logistics light but intentional. Choose a regular cadence—monthly or bi-monthly works well—and a consistent location, like a local café, library, or co-working space. Also, do the following:

Assign basic roles. a coordinator to schedule, a communicator for updates, and a facilitator to guide meetings. Avoid over-formalizing; no one joins a networking group for bureaucracy.
Membership can be open or curated. Open groups grow faster but may lack cohesion; curated ones ensure alignment but require more effort. Decide based on your mission and capacity.

Leverage Technology Wisely

Use tools to amplify, not replace, in-person connection. A group chat on Slack or WhatsApp keeps conversations alive between meetups. Share resources—articles, templates, event invites—in a Google Drive or newsletter. A private Facebook or LinkedIn group can house discussions and profiles, making it easy to match skills or needs. Just don’t let digital tools overshadow face-to-face interaction; the real magic happens in person.

Build a Culture of Contribution

Encourage a give-first mindset. At each meeting, ask members to share one resource, idea, or contact—no strings attached. Celebrate wins beyond referrals, like a member landing a new skill or a collaborative project taking off. Recognize contributors publicly (a shoutout or “member spotlight”) to reinforce this ethos. Over time, this builds trust and a sense of ownership, turning attendees into active participants.

Impact the Community

Extend your group’s reach beyond its walls. Partner with a local nonprofit for a volunteer day or host a public panel on a hot topic. For instance, a group of creatives might offer free workshops for students, boosting both visibility and goodwill. These efforts deepen bonds among members and position your group as a local force for good—far more memorable than swapping leads.

Measure Success Differently

Track metrics that reflect your mission, not just referral counts. Are members collaborating on projects? Learning new skills? Solving real problems? Survey them periodically: “What’s the most valuable thing you’ve gained?” Adjust based on feedback—maybe they crave more structure or fewer sales pitches. Success isn’t size; it’s impact.

Start Small, Then Scale

Launch with a single event—say, a coffee meetup with a discussion prompt like “What’s your biggest professional hurdle?” Gauge interest and refine from there. As momentum builds, add members gradually to preserve quality. Once stable, consider sub-groups by industry or goals, but only if demand emerges naturally.

Things to Remember

A networking group that does more than provide referrals requires intention, not complexity. Focus on connection, contribution, and community, and you’ll create a hub where members grow together—not just transact. Start with a clear why, rally the right people, and let the group evolve. The result? A network that’s less about “who you know” and more about “what you build.”

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 480-636-1720, or, if you prefer, Waters Business Consulting Group to learn more about us and the services we offer.

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Employees are Quitting Instead of Returning to Work and That’s a Good Thing — Here’s Why

July 9, 2021 No Comments

Leading news organizations continue to report a substantial number of employees are quitting their jobs rather than returning to work. The headlines are stark and alarming. They are also good news. Yes, it’s actually not cause for alarm. Instead, it’s a blessing in disguise, a silver lining to a cloud. Read on to learn why. Quitters Never Win? It’s a cliche, “Winners never quit and quitters never win.” But, we all know there are certainly exceptions. Put another way, sometimes quitting is the right choice, the best option, for an employee. Moving on and into something new can prove extraordinarily fortunate and fulfilling. However, it can also reveal qualities that aren’t net positives for businesses. After spending more than a year at home, some don’t want to go back to commuting, preferring the flexibility of remote work at least a few days a week. Others are simply burned out from logging long hours while also balancing child care and remote school, sometimes all at once. And nearly all employees are ready to see what else is out there. —CNBC Practically anyone who chooses to walk away and be part of what’s currently referred to as the “Great Resignation” is doing so for almost entirely personal reasons. And, that could very well point to a deficiency not previously exposed to co-workers, administrators, and owners. This of course being, unwanted characteristics, such as laziness, lack of passion or even interest, and just showing up for a paycheck. All of those are things a business can really do without. 3 Top Employee Qualities On the other side of the equation is the qualities that are the most beneficial to businesses. Companies should always look beyond resumes and take full advantage of the interview process (perhaps even going so far as to an informal interview over lunch or dinner). Here are some of the top qualities good employees naturally exhibit: Strong work ethic. Someone with a strong work ethic will obviously be productive. But also, concerned about the quality of work he or she is producing. But, be careful not to mistake a workaholic or the extreme statistics of the Japanese “karoshi,” people who literally die as a result of overworking. Strong work ethic isn’t the same and will offer a much more well-adjusted person to your team. Enthusiasm for the job. An enthusiastic individual is quite fortunately fairly easy to spot and even more thankfully, easy to distinguish from a phony or fake. (Phonies and fakes often exhibit many telltale signs they are just not genuine.) These people usually speak with zeal and great pleasure about their work. What’s more, will also talk about their work in a very focused yet informal and understandable manner. Team cooperation and collaboration. Place this quality in the “obvious” column, but one that’s definitely worth including. A person who is a true team player tends to be an individual who loves to listen to the input and perspective of others. Also, someone who can follow instructions without a bad or negative attitude, but can just as easily step into a leadership role, yet relinquish control for the good of the company. What other suggestions do you have? Please take a brief moment to share your thoughts and experiences so others can benefit from your unique perspective! You might just help out someone in a profound way. Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

5 Ways Small Businesses can Weather Uncertain Economic Times

January 21, 2020 No Comments

With regular life all but suspended and so much uncertainty, small businesses will most definitely feel the impact. Although most of it will occur in the short term, it could well have long-term impacts, lasting far beyond the next several weeks. That means it’s time to hunker down and get serious about the situation to minimize any potential damage. 5 Ways Small Businesses can Weather Uncertain Economic Times The very first thing to do is to review all expenses. Not just some or the top, but everything. You’ll likely be reminded of at least one that’s either unnecessary or simply too costly to maintain in its current status. In an uncertain economy when every penny counts, even the smallest increase in revenue or reduction in expenses can have an impact on company profitability. The good news is a large-scale company overhaul isn’t necessary. It’s often simple, common sense steps that improve the bottom line, especially for a small business. Q1, 2020 is a good time to step back and look carefully at your business practices. —American Express Then, it’s time to start to reduce discretionary spending. Here again, don’t just settle for around the margins. Instead, think about where you can cut when it comes to discretionary spending. You’ll probably be surprised by how much you’re wasting and don’t even realize it. More Ways of Dealing with an Economic Downturn Of course, those two things won’t do it alone. While reviewing expenses and cutting down on discretionary spending will most certainly help out, you’ll probably be able to do more — a lot more. For instance, you can do the following: Buy more carefully. This is different from discretionary because these entail essentials. Although these things are necessities to run your business, you can probably get away with buying a little less. Doing so across a few or several items will have a cumulative savings effect that will make a real difference. Cut down on extras. Overtime, perks, even benefits are all part of this particular category. (You should be doing this periodically, about once to twice per year, anyway.) Again, you’ll likely be a bit shocked by how much these items are costing you, especially when added-up together. Consider cutting pay. This doesn’t just apply to your employees, but you as the owner, as well. Yes, you. It might be necessary to reduce team member hours, and even take a temporary pay cut yourself. This will not only help you weather the storm, but also, it shows real leadership. Moreover, it sends a clear message that you are part of the solution, rather than part of the larger problem. Innovate. Huddle up with your key employees and leaders and challenge everyone with to come up with 2 or 3 innovative strategies to create or capture new revenue sources that you are currently not generating. Many successful businesses have found way to survive and in some cases developed entirely new services and products that resulted from innovating during difficult times. Necessity is the mother of invention. Plato. What other measures would you suggest? Please share your thoughts and experiences by commenting! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

Why Natural Disasters are So Disastrous to Businesses

September 28, 2017 No Comments

While hurricanes Harvey and Irma are gone, Hurricane Maria poses a possible threat. And, that’s a warning because in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, there were over 1 million insurance claims processed. The fact of the matter is, there are still businesses in Texas and Florida which are dealing with the devastation left by Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma. Although time has passed, simple supplies remain scarce. This isn’t to unnecessarily frighten you, only to serve as a stark reminder natural disasters are so disastrous to businesses of all kinds. Why Natural Disasters are So Disastrous to Businesses Dealing with a business emergency doesn’t have to be an exercise done on the fly. In fact, it shouldn’t be approached without an effective plan. However, too many businesses simply are not prepared. Statistics show that 94 percent of all small businesses in the U.S. do backup their critical financial information. But, only 4 in 10 backup off-site. From natural disasters like Hurricane Sandy to common theft and hardware malfunctions, small businesses are particularly vulnerable in times of crisis. “Disasters can wipe out a small business in seconds,” said the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Yet small businesses are often the most unprepared for emergencies. —Forbes This one figure is a peek into why so many businesses fail in the wake of natural disasters. Nearly 40 percent of all small businesses never reopen following a natural disaster, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency or FEMA. That’s not an insignificant figure to ignore. And, it clearly shows businesses are quite susceptible to natural disasters. How to Protect Your Business from Natural Disasters You shouldn’t have to endure more stress and worry than necessary. Your company can make it through a fire, earthquake, tornado, or hurricane. All you need is a plan and to be proactive. This way, you’re fully prepared and know precisely what to do. Here’s a few helpful suggestions for how to protect your business from natural disasters: Back up company records in the cloud. Not only should you routinely backup your company records, including your financials, on-site, but off-site, as well. There are many platforms out there and these provide an invaluable service. Focus on those which cater to business information as those will offer the best fit. Establish clear policies for employee, vendors, and customers. To keep your working relationships in good standing, you’ll need an actionable plan for team members, vendors, and customers. After all, if there’s going to be a delay in paying employees or delivering to your customers, you need a way to deal with such situations. Create a workable continuity plan to follow in the aftermath. Your continuity plan should identify key and essential operations. Basically, what your business can’t do without. You might need to cross-train employees. But, your goal is to put a workable continuity plan into place. Run drills from time to time and strive to make improvements. Even the best plan is useless if it’s never practiced. So, run drills periodically to keep everyone in practice. This will help ensure things run smoothly if the time comes. What’s your business’ plan for a natural disaster? How are you preparing your company to avoid losses? Are there any other precautions you would suggest taking? Please share your thoughts and experiences by commenting! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group. [shareaholic app=”follow_buttons” id=”26833294″]