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Networking Because You Never Know

Submitted by Mitch Seigel on Tues, 11/24/2015

Whenever I think of the topic of networking it always takes me back to the first week of my first job out of college. The owner of this small radio station asked me to represent the station at the chamber of commerce lunch each Tuesday in the town where I lived. He said that I would meet prospective businesses who could advertise on the station, I would meet businesses where I would eventually shop, I would meet people with whom I would participate in social activities on my days off, and the icing on the cake was that I would get a free meal!

All of the above turned out to be very true. I developed relationships quickly, turning these relationships into clients, social friends, retailers I could count on, and yes, I got to have that meal every week, compliments of the radio station. What I learned is that you never do business with everybody. In fact, you only do business with a select few. However, I also learned that the group I had lunch with every week knew the rest of the people in the town, and for that matter, the group of towns in the region.

You see, you never know who might know whom! The person you network with could potentially lead you to your next big order. Possibly they could help you find an employee, or maybe a vendor you’ve needed for some time. Perhaps your kids go to the same school as another networker, and that person can give you direction on specific teachers that will help your children’s future.

If you or your supervisor think that networking leads to direct business, and that’s how judgment is made on this activity, you have another thing coming! It just doesn’t happen that way. It’s building relationships so you build a trust. Once trust is established you will get referrals Once you get the first referrals there will be many more to follow.

So the next time a networking opportunity appears in your inbox, don’t press delete so quickly. Read about the opportunity. Participating may be the best decision you will make, because you never know!

What are your challenges when it comes to networking? I look forward to hearing your comments. Until next time…