Business networking is a key activity for many successful businesses; be it face to face or online.? By dedicating some regular time to networking with the local business community, it gives you the chance to build contacts, share experiences and ideas as well as learn something new to help your business and boost your own business profile.
There are several excellent business networking events in the area. These are often held monthly, and costs can vary, although you can commonly trial your first event free of charge. Here's a list to get you started.
- Alcester Business Club?
- BNI?
- BookCLUB and Business Social
- Business Buzz Networking?
- Business Growth West Midlands?
- Business Ladies around Henley
- Campden Business Forum?
- CIPD??
- Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce?
- Coventry and Warwickshire First?
- Entrepreneurs Circle?
- Federation of Small Businesses ?
- Green Business Network
- Ladies First Professional Development Networking?
- Socially Shared?
- Studley in Business?
- The Athena Network?
- Talk Business?
- The Family Network??
- Warwickshire Rural Hub?
- Woman Who?
Top Tips for Effective Networking
If the idea of walking into a room full of strangers fills you with horror, don't worry - we've got your covered!
- Smile, use a nice firm handshake, be genuine and enthusiastic. Look people in the eye and use their name, it might help you remember it!
- If you arrive on your own, you might like to initially join a group of three people, as there's always one in the group who will be less engaged in their?conversation and will welcome you in.
- Ask easy questions to get to know people and make sure you listen to their replies.
- Ditch the sales pitch and try to build relationships instead. Be fun, light and informal. People are more likely to do business with people whose company they enjoy.
- Sometimes it can help to wear something memorable e.g. a bright colour to help people remember you.
- If a potential customer does ask you about your product/service, then be ready with an easy description of what you do and how you may be able to help them. Don't forget to ask them questions so that you can tailor your answer accordingly. If you've been in business a while, it may be useful to create a mental list beforehand of accomplishments, projects and clients that you have worked with. If you're new in business, be honest and convey your skills and experience to date.
- Have some business cards or your QR code at the ready if appropriate.
- Make notes during the event, if possible, to remind yourself of the conversations you've had and ways in which you might be able to help people.
- After the event follow up any contacts you have made, either by phone, email or social media. Use it to continue the conversation or try to start a new one. Get in touch within 48 hours to show you're interested and reference something you spoke of so that the contact remembers you.
- Even if it didn't appear useful, go back and give it another try. Visiting a networking group once can be a waste of time as you cannot expect to build a rapport with people based on one meeting.
- Experiment with new events and networks, try new pitches and branding, and offer new products/services. Use networking events to test new ideas and gather useful feedback. Don't be afraid of criticism.
