Confidence for business networking: The business benefits
Confidence and networking are both vital for building your business. I have recently had a superb business networking experience that demonstrated this perfectly.
I met a business woman, Tracy O'Donnell, who had confidence plus networking skills. As a result her business made a profit out of me. She was able to apply her networking skills to the benefit of her business. Can you do the same?
As a direct consequence of her networking effectiveness the benefits to her business continue because now I'm telling you all about her.
In order to build your confidence for business networking you need to know what you are supposed to do. Here are five things that Tracy did to be successful.
Confidence for business networking tip 1: Find a connection.
When I first met Tracy I had no idea who she was or what she did. During our conversation I learnt she was a small business owner who had chosen to run her business online instead of having a shop front. Ah! This resonated with me.
We used to have our products in 32 bookshops in Western Australia until I made the decision to only sell online and in our workshops. It's a decision I have never regretted. I am passionate about the benefits of having an online shop for customers. After all, no-one has to travel anywhere to buy and the shop is open 24/7.
What has happened here? We have found a connection, something that we have in common and which we are enthusiastic about. We shared our stories and the connection was cemented. When networking, your task is to find a connection with each person that you meet.
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Confidence for business networking tip 2: Talk enthusiastically about your business.
When a potential or existing client or customer meets you, sound enthusiastic about your work. You don't have to be loud, extraverted or over the top, but you do have to have a spark. If you don't have a spark about your work, your services or products how can you expect to spark an interest in your clients or customers?
Part of your task when you are networking is to present your organisation, service or profession in a positive way. Leave people impressed by your enthusiasm, delight and joy for what you do. Honestly, I mean it. People like people who love what they do. Their enthusiasm is catching.
Tracy was like this. She spoke about what she did in her small business with true delight. She made candles but not any ordinary candles and not in any run-of-the-mill way. Her candles were clearly special.
She described how she made them, what she put in them and how she'd got started. She showed me one that was on the reception desk and it was beautiful. I began to think what lovely presents they'd make for my staff.
When you are engaged in business networking talk enthusiastically and with confidence about your business.
Not sure what to talk about? Find out how to generate lots of interesting topics with the DVD set: Business networking: The skills you need.
Confidence for business networking tip 3: Listen for opportunities.
As I was talking about how nice the candles were and what nice presents they'd make for my staff, Tracy was listening. I went on to discuss my visit to the local visitors' centre and how I'd been fascinated to see attractive jars of yabbies for sale, and I had thought about buying them for my staff.
We continued our discussion about gifts, staff, tourism and all sorts of associated topics.
Before we finished Tracy asked how long I was staying in town. (I was at a business function about 300 kilometres from home.) She offered to come round at 9.30am the next morning, to my bed and breakfast, and bring her full range of candles so I could take some back to my staff, if I wished. I agreed!
Why was this so good? Because she took the risk and effort away and made it easy for me. This was wonderful confidence, excellent business networking and great customer service. Why have a small business if you aren't willing to promote it?
My staff ended up with a beautiful candle each as a consequence. I had my shopping made easy for me and Tracy's business benefitted. This is a win-win situation for everyone.
When people are talking to you listen to them, and always listen for opportunities to promote your business and help the other person. It takes confidence and focus.
Don't know what questions to ask and end up stuck in yes/no questions? Find out the best questions on the networking DVD: Click here.
Confidence for business networking tip 4: Follow-up.
When I got back to my office, I sent Tracy an e-mail thanking her for the candles. I also let her know of the enthusiastic response they'd received.
Tracy then thanked me for this and sent me the link to her website so I could find out about it and all her candle making adventures. This is Tracy's "Outback Aromas" site.
This is perfect networking. Both parties acknowledged the other. I said I'd put a link in my website to hers and she was going to put a link to mine. More excellent networking.
Follow-up is vital.
I wrote to a number of people that week that I'd met networking and she was only one of two who acknowledged anything I'd sent, or who contacted me. If they now think Tracy is getting special attention, it's true she is, because she bothered to stay in contact.
Suffer from awkward silences? Master the art of networking conversations with the DVD: Business networking: The skills you need.
Confidence for business networking tip 5: Stay in contact.
Recently I sent a group of people an article I had written on a topic I knew they were interested in. Tracy was one of them. I was staying in contact with them.
Guess who was the first and possibly only one to respond to my contact? Yes, Tracy.
She thanked me for the information and she sent me details of a special offer of candles she had for Mother's Day gifts. Excellent.
What Tracy doesn't know is that I don't send Mother's Day gifts as I have no mother in Australia. This doesn't matter, though, because I might know someone who does. Also, it reminds me of her candles and I could consider them as gifts for a future time.
And that's what networking can help you do. Keep you and your services or products or business in the forefront of people's minds. Thus, by staying in contact I'll be able to keep reminding Tracy of Confident Woman Australia and she can keep reminding me of her candles. And this article is just another example of where networking in small business can lead you.
Are you doing what you need to make the profits pour in from your business networking? Gain the confidence and knowledge you need now.
Still need more networking tips so you can be as good as Tracy? Gain lots more from our networking conversations DVD: Click here for full details.
Written by Rachel Green: Motivational Speaker | Small Business Owner | Communication and Networking Specialist
Rachel can host your networking function for you, as well as open your conference or event with a high energy keynote speech on networking. She can also train all your managers and staff in networking skills. Click here for more details.
Rachel is also the author of: Business networking: The skills you need. Click here to get your copy.
Copyright Confident Woman Australia, 2010.
NB: This article is not provided as an alternative to obtaining professional advice from an appropriately qualified business advisor.
Rachel Green
Reader Comments (9)
Thanks
Chris.
Thank you so much for your wonderful article. This was very uplifting and a wonderful mother's day gift to me. This was the first mother's day without my Nan, who brought me up. She would be so proud of me.
I am so glad that the way I promote my business does attract the right sort of attention. I love being passionate about my business.
Meeting you has inspired me to be proud of who I am and my business.
Thank you Rachel.
Tracy.
It is fun staying in touch, and adding value to the knowledge bank we grow every day.
It seems the more I learn, the less I know.
While networking is widely talked about and there are so many networking organisations, you cant beat getting back to basics!
Thanks
Jo
Safe Breast Imaging
Thankyou
Toni
Merredin Furniture & Bedding
Julissa
It never ceases to amaze me that people go to networking events to meet people and then they never take the time to follow up.
Why bother going?
Tessa.