Networking strategies can really help grow a business. But of course, you must put in the time and effort for any networking opportunities to achieve a tangible ROI. Statistics vary, however, many reveal it takes up to seven contact points before landing a sale. Regardless of these figures, the time-honored practice of networking pays off. (If it didn’t people wouldn’t bother wasting their time.) So, it’s really about taking the right approach. Why Successful Entrepreneurs Network Networking isn’t new in any sense. It’s an activity that helps to promote a business. But, that long track record doesn’t mean that it always works. There are several networking mistakes people make all the time and don’t realize it. That is, until they don’t see any fruits from their labor. Sales is about influence. There are methods of persuasion that work very well in business. But, there are also several fundamentals that need to be in place if you want to succeed. If those fundamentals aren’t in place, you can pretty much kiss your chances for success goodbye. —Entrepreneur.com Successful entrepreneurs network because it gives them an opportunity to grow their network and not necessarily to sell their products and services. Did you catch that? Networking is more about growing a circle of regular contacts rather than selling products and services. Think about it this way, would you go to a networking event that’s run in a hard-sell environment? Most Effective Networking Strategies You can Use So, now that you know networking is about extending your contacts and getting familiar with others and not selling, how do you do it right? In other words, what are the most effective networking strategies? Well, here are some helpful bits of advice about how to network: Be confident in your value. It all begins with your confidence. If you aren’t self-confident about your own personality (and comfortable with your faults), you’ll give off the wrong vibe. Go into any networking situation with confidence in your value. Don’t expect anything in return. Successful people aren’t afraid to give and not receive anything in return. Now, that sounds scary but it’s actually a sound business practice so long as it doesn’t cost very much. In other words, you can give expert advice, speak to a class, or do something else others find valuable. Find common ground right away. When you meet someone, be sure to find common ground as soon as possible. This way, you’re more comfortable. And, be sure to give genuine compliments often. Don’t sell your product or service. We’re back to the same philosophy about growing your network. When appropriate, speak about your work. For example, how you’ve solved a customer’s problem. But, do not go into a sales pitch. Let other see your value in more ways than one. What other suggestion do you have for networking? How and where do you find networking opportunities? Please share your thoughts and experiences by commenting! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

Did the solar eclipse reveal your business blind spot? Probably not. And, you’ve likely not even considered you actually have a business blind spot. But, there’s a really high probability you do — you just don’t see it. Sure, life throws obstacles in our way — that’s expected. However, one of the most obtuse isn’t always from an outside source — it’s from within. What’s more, you don’t recognize it for what it truly is and that’s your business blind spot. How to Find Your Business Blind Spot It could well be you’re relying too much on short-cuts in communication — texting instead of actual face-to-face interactions. Or, it might just be something completely different. In a vehicle, it’s quite easy to identify the blind spot. We all know where it’s located in the cars we drive. But, when it comes to business, your blind spot hides until you actively look for it. And, it’s probably tripping you up clandestinely. Entrepreneurs regularly confront a host of tough challenges. Just a sampling among them: landing their first sale, growing their customer base, hiring the right employees, managing cash flow and getting access to funding. But the biggest challenge entrepreneurs may face is either a self-limiting or self-inflated view of their capabilities. Possessing fear, self-doubt, over-confidence, in-group thinking, misplaced commitment to a selected course of action or entrepreneurial myopia are just some ways an entrepreneur can sabotage his or her business. —Entrepreneur.com For some entrepreneurs, it’s not effectively dealing with critics. Hey, why waste time on such a thing? For others, it’s being too myopic, focusing on one thing and not seeing the bigger picture. So, what’s your business blind spot? What is it that you just don’t see? The best way to uncover it is to seek information from different sources. Once you have a more robust picture, you’ll easily be able to pin down your own business blind spot: Introspection. A little self-reflection goes a long, long way, particularly when you’re completely honest. Look inside for some answers. What is it that you already know is an inherent weakness? You can also look back on a time when you fell short and examine that event to uncover answers. Team input. After you look inward, it’s time to see if that lines up with what others who work with you observe. Don’t be surprised if you’ve missed the mark. While Introspection can really be insightful, it can also lead to blind spots if we don’t bring balance with other perspectives. Customer feedback. Your customers are also a great source of information. Solicit feedback and take it to heart. Don’t dismiss what you learn because they want you to be your best. After all, it benefits them, as well. So listen earnestly and take appropriate action thereafter. Retracing your steps. When you make a mistake, you learn from the experience. But, it shouldn’t be cursory. Carefully retrace your steps. What is it that you did that lead you in the wrong direction? Even if it’s an outside force, you made a decision. Look into your weaknesses. Your weaknesses are sometimes known as excuses. But, like mistakes, you can learn from your weaknesses and best of all, work to make improvements. It could be your business blind spot lies in a weakness. Have you identified your business blind spot? What steps did you use to uncover what you didn’t clearly see? Please share your thoughts and experiences by leaving a comment! Would you like to read more about Blind Spots? My friend, Kevin McCarthy, keynote speaker, trainer and author just published a compelling and informative book describing how his blind spots landed him in a federal prison for 33 months for a crime he didn’t knowingly commit. Learn more about: “Blind Spots – Why Good People Make Bad Choices”. Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group. [shareaholic app=”follow_buttons” id=”26833294″]