As business owners we have all been there. You're at a meeting and suddenly and without warning someone asks you to stand up and give a sixty second overview of your business, and who would be a good referral for you. Overcoming the fear of meeting new people, and giving them an elevator speech about your business or church is something that many people shy away from.
In most metro areas, networking is the undisputed King when it comes to growing your small business. In today’s world, networking is a necessity. A mountain of research shows that professional networks lead to more job and business opportunities, broader and deeper knowledge, improved capacity to innovate, faster advancement, and greater status and authority. Building and nurturing professional relationships also improves the quality of work and increases job satisfaction. In other words, unless your marketing plan includes weekly networking, you may find your business lacking the growth it could be experiencing.
Below I am giving you five "how to's" to effective, and productive networking. Follow them, and your business/ministry will be better accommodated for sustainable, and healthy growth.
Start Slow and Intentional
Networking groups and chapters are everywhere these days and they are not hard to find at all. Finding the right one that fits your needs, and the needs of the group is the difficult task at hand. There are closed groups to where the seats per type of business is limited, and there are open groups that allow as many seats for a particular business that shows up. Both have their pros and cons, so research is the key.
I suggest starting out by joining a closed group such as BNI. BNI has proven for years to grow businesses through qualified referrals. It is how I started my business, and I continue to receive referrals every month. The key is still research, homework, and visiting a few chapters. Not every chapter will fit the bill for you, so again, research is very important.
Avoid overkill
Many leaders believe that more is better, however this is not always true for networking. Joining too many groups will make you look desperate, and will have the reverse affect you are looking for. Many of these groups overlap with the same people and when you couple the fact that you will be attending larger chamber meetings and business association meetings, after hours, and expos, well, you get the point.
Again, I suggest find a BNI chapter you can join, and then find one open group that meets weekly.
Find a couple of people who are willing to mentor you
Yes, being in a networking group or chapter is the best place to find a mentor or two.
Let's be honest. No one knows it all when it comes to business or ministry. However, there are plenty of people who know more than you do. This is not the time nor will it ever be, to be prideful. A mentor does not have to be someone in the same business as you. Some of the best mentoring that I received as a new pastor was from a man that was leading his own very successful HVAC and plumbing company. The things I learned from him are still relevant to me over 20 years later.
Your'e looking to build culture, integrity, and humility more than cash flow. The first three will lead to the last. If not, your organization will fall over by it's own weight. This is the reason for a mentor. Learn how to listen and watch. Ask questions. Let them speak into your organization and add value to it. You'll be glad you did.
Focus on Giving, Not Receiving, at Every Meeting
The reason so many people do not network is found right here. We have all been around that person. Always selling, never listens, driven by trying to sale you something every time you see them, and what is it that we do? Avoid them! That's right, we avoid you! No one wants to be sold something at 7 am in the morning so cool your jets.
It is a proven documented fact over and over that the people who are consistent in bringing referrals to their networking group are the ones whose businesses are consistently growing. Hands down.
Jesus said it best when he told us to:
Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back Luke 6:38 NLT
Finally, have a grateful spirit
Sounds easy huh? It's easier said than done because it takes being intentional. When you become the person in the group who is creative about being thankful, you will find yourself getting more referrals. I know that is a strong statement, however you have nothing to lose by trying it. You'll also find that you will attract the kind of people you want to be around.
Try these to show your thankfulness to others:
Buy a bottle of wine for someone who gave you a referral that turned into business for your company, or donors to your non-profit
Send handwritten cards or letters to those who are bringing value to the group
Write a note of encouragement or text to someone who may be struggling
With Facebook it's easy to remember birthdays and anniversaries, be sure to send a text or call on that day
A firm handshake and good eye contact while telling someone thank you goes a long way
Finally, keep at it. Be consistent, serve, and always show up ready to give. The key to any church's, business, or ministry growth is getting to know and serve others.