Networking online has a different appeal for Paul Tyrell, LinkMe development manager, who sees it as a time saver that broadens the range of people a business owner can connect with. It increases new business opportunities, and connecting online means employers also have more choice in hiring staff they know and trust. “Hiring a person who is a friend of a friend is a great way to reduce your risk of hiring the wrong person,” he says. And we all know having good staff is one of the surest ways to successfully build your business. According to Tyrell, depending on the industry, 60 to 80 percent of people are hired through networks. At LinkMe that number is 90 percent. “Networking gives you new staff and trusted referred staff.”
Networking online allows you to maintain long distance business relationships as well, especially those across different time zones. “If you are on LinkMe or another networking site you can start and maintain a dialogue with them, either personal or professional, and it’s a thread which isn’t buried in a mountain of emails,” says Tyrell. “There is a place for online networking communication which isn’t [instant messaging] like Google Talk or MSN, and is less formal than email.”
Another plus is the ability to keep your personal and professional networks separate, says Tyrell. If you’re already communicating with a colleague through a professional site, there is no need to add them to your Facebook friend list. “You may not want your boss or peers to see photos of what you got up to last weekend,” he explains. By keeping your social and professional networks separate, you can hear about great prospects and avoid other potential disasters.
With so many opportunities to grow your business through networking, there’s really nothing to be afraid of. While it doesn’t come naturally to all, it doesn’t take an abundance of confidence to become a good networker, only preparation and persistence. Remember, the only thing your competition can’t replicate is the quality relationships you’ve built.
Who And How
For more information on networking from Carolyn Stafford, small business marketing expert and the author of Small Business Big Brand, or for details on her national workshop, visit www.connectmarketing.com.au
Here are some networking groups you may be interested in joining:
Australian Businesswomen’s Network─www.abn.org.au
BNI─www.bni.com.au
Business Swap─www.businessswap.com.au
Dynamic Small Business Network─www.dsbn.com.au
GrowCo─www.growco.com.au
LinkMe─www.linkme.com.au
Speed It Up
The American Chamber of Commerce annually organises two speed networking events. Each person spends four minutes with the majority of attendees; two minutes each to talk about themselves and their business. When their time’s up, they move on, but not before exchanging business cards.
It’s all the fun of speed dating, just without the cocktails.
Prices start from $70.00 for members and $93.00 for non-members. For more information on dates and other events, visit www.amcham.com.au
Not getting enough….Business?
If so you need to come to one of the Small Business Big Brand marketing workshops with Carolyn Stafford being held during April 2008 in Melbourne 1st, Perth 3rd, Canberra 8th, Brisbane 10th, Adelaide 15th and Sydney 17th – Special Dynamic Business Offer
The workshop is a must for small business owners who need practical marketing tactics to catapult business growth and who want to create valuable new business contacts.
We are pleased to offer subscribers/readers of “Dynamic Business” a special Alliance Partner rate. At the Alliance Partner rate of $349 (saving $100 rrp$449), the day represents excellent value and all participants receive a copy of Carolyn’s book, your own workbook and action plan, morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea.
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