Networking is the key to progress
Networking is about making connections and building enduring, mutually beneficial relationships.
POLOKWANE – Networking is about making connections and building enduring, mutually beneficial relationships.
The Businesswomen’s Association of South Africa, (Bwasa) Limpopo operates as a catalyst to ensure businesswomen meet the “right” people to include in their network and expand their spheres of influence.
During a recent networking business breakfast hosted by Bwasa, Polokwane municipal manager, Conny Mametja, gave various tips to stay ahead through networking.
“We are constantly bombarded with advertisements, e-mails, status updates, special offers and sales pitches creating cluttered messages. Personal relationships enable you and your organisation to stand out, rise above the noise and remain relevant,” said Mametja.
“Taking your child to the park or a parents’ meeting can afford you a platform to network if your child happens to be friends with the child of someone who you could benefit from knowing. What begins as small talk about the children may present an opportunity to ask for a business card. This emphasises that networking is critical and to one’s success.”
Mametja said it can be difficult to know how to get started, to know which events to attend or even what to do once you are there.
“Your presence at networking events is important to increase your personal visibility and credibility and that of your brand. It gives you the opportunity to ‘shine’ and attract potential referral sources, clients or future partners to your business. BWASA creates that platform through hosting monthly events that will ensure women meet like-minded women in a casual but highly informative environment.”
Bwasa cordinator, Matshepo Khumalo, gave the business associates a short how to guide:
Tips on how to network successfully:
• When you go to an event, do not go to sell. Go to develop mutually beneficial relationships.
• Make a genuine first impression by smiling and offering a friendly handshake.
• Approach people. Do not sit waiting for them to come to you – they might not.
• Be inquisitive: ask how the other person got started and listen to their response.
• When engaged in conversation, be attentive and maintain good eye contact – do not search the room looking for your next prospect.
• Seek quality not quantity when handing out your business cards. Be selective. Do not try to give one to everyone in sight.
• Participate in discussion forums.
• Reach out to niche communities (like the Businesswomen’s Association) and find the right people to connect with.
• When networking on online sites such as LinkedIn, create an interesting and informative profile to let others know who you are and what you have to offer.
Follow-up:
Follow-up is critical for successful networking. It is important that you remember people, especially those you want to develop a working relationship with.
Creating a list of contacts will help. Add a short note to remind you who they are and why they are interesting to you.
Send a personalised note along with your business card. Be careful of sending e-mails as they can be easily overlooked by people and might even be considered to be marketing.
Building up a network of useful contacts will help you increase awareness and raise the profile of your brand.
Incorporate networking as part of your marketing plan and strategy and reap the rewards of adding another dimension to growing and developing your business.
