The Value of Having a Network of Business Professionals
Your network is one of your most valuable assets. As a business professional, your network is one of your greatest tools for success. If you are just starting out, or running a solo operation, networking may be the last thing on your mind. Maybe you’re exhausted from running your business, and you haven’t given the idea of a business network much thought.
But having a business network can provide a lot of value, both for you personally and for your business. Here are some of the best benefits to having a network of business professionals you can trust.
Established Relationships and Camaraderie
The value in having a network of business professionals is two fold. It not only benefits your business, but you as a person. When you think about networking, one of the first things you may think of are people in suits handing out cards to each other, promising to call but never hearing from them again. Hollow interactions with the intention of getting all you can from someone else.
But that isn’t what a real business network is all about.
When you establish your network, you are committing yourself to creating relationships with quality like minded professionals. Not only will you get to know what they do, but you’ll get to know them as friends too.
While there are many ways to find and establish a network, often it includes finding and joining a networking group. Networking groups are great because you are committing your time to a specific group of people with very similar goals and commitments. Here at Biz to Biz, we have over 40 chapters, and have found them to be invaluable resources for networking and building relationships.
Business can be tough. It takes a tough person to run a business, no one understands this quite like other business professionals. Even if you have nothing else in common, you’ll share the bond of entrepreneurship. And within that bond, a sense of camaraderie.
Our networking chapters are well-known for the way that our members become like a family, because we use strategies that help you to know people personally and professionally. Biz to Biz networking groups bring together individuals with high levels of integrity who care about other people first, and they understand the law of attraction.
Exchange of Ideas and Advice
When building your network using a networking group, know that you are not alone. These business professionals have all gone through similar struggles as you, and can offer something that no one else can: advice and encouragement.
If you ask a friend for advice on a business matter, chances are they won’t be able to give you the perspective or answers you need. If you’re seeking inspiration for the next leg of your business journey, they won’t be able to assist you in the same way. Other business owners and leaders are able to offer up advice and ideas to help you grow your business in the fastest and most effective way possible.
In return, you can help them with their problems. This giving mindset is what is so special about networks. Developing bonds with people means you care about each other and want to see the other succeed. You will help support each other, and offer encouragement and effective solutions. This exchange is what makes building a network through a strategic networking group the most vital part of your business. It ensures that you don’t have to do this alone.
Growth in Your Career and in Yourself
Have you ever pitched your new product to a family member to gauge their reaction, but their feedback wasn’t helpful? Have you asked a friend what they thought of your latest blog post, but they hadn’t read it yet?
Having a business network, or being part of a networking group, means you can count on them to help challenge you and inspire growth for your business.
The right networking group will bring strategies, tools, and resources to empower you to refine your sales skills, grow your confidence, and ask for help in areas that you might struggle with. A good network will also be full of people you can rely on to care about you and your business.
Maybe you are going to make a phone call, or give a speech, and you need someone to listen. Giving that speech to your network will allow you to gain confidence to perform well in front of other professionals. Of course as you grow your network, they may become your friends, and knowing they are there to support you in your business and your life means you can ask for help when you need it.
Exchange of Referrals
Here at Biz to Biz, we understand the power of referrals. In fact, as part of our successful strategy each person in a chapter commits to passing 2 referrals a month to other members in the group. Word of mouth referrals, when using the right strategy, is the fastest and most effective way to gain new leads and sales for your business.
Our groups have one industry designation per group, so we build groups that make it easy to pass and share referrals because you share customers. Our chapters create business referral partnerships that lead to viral results and growth. Also because our groups can't grow larger than 32 people it is small and diverse making referrals easier to give and receive.
Maybe you sell handmade soap, and one of your contacts runs a tech startup. They may run into someone who wants soap, and when they do, they will tell that person about you. Maybe you know someone who needs a program or application that someone in your network offers.
So you can make a referral to someone you trust.
Every business needs sales, and sales come from leads and people who are ready to buy, and you can bring that business to your network, and they will bring business to you as well, all because you have an established and trusting connection. You know each other’s work, and character well enough to be able to confidently recommend them to everyone you know. This word of mouth exchange is powerful. And when you give referrals for the sake of giving, referrals come back to you from your chapter.
Building a network of business professionals is a great asset for your business, and can provide a lot of value as well. One of the best ways to go about this is joining a networking group. Here at Biz to Biz, we offer paid networking groups that provide real support, strategies that are designed to bring you and your business success and growth. We believe referrals are the key to growth in any business venture, and we want to help you succeed.
Our chapter members also believe in the value of building a community and relationships. Learn more about what makes our groups a valuable asset for any business.
Looking to join a group? Submit an application here >
And hey, if you want to grow your business and build relationships within our COMMUNITY of small business owners and sales professionals focused on their businesses, community & personal GROWTH and on giving/receiving MENTORSHIP with other like-hearted people, then make sure to check out Biz to Biz networking groups!
Learn more or contact us directly by email at info@biztobiznow.com
COMMUNITY ✼ GROWTH ✼ MENTORSHIP