Only recently have I started to understand the value of networking. Meeting more people and making new connections only opens doors and possibilities. I love hearing where people have come from, what they are working on and how they are doing it. Every person has a different skill set and knowledge based on experience.
Last week I signed up for a break through to success 21 day course, so far it has been great. It looks at all aspects of life and routines you can adapt improve your chances of success. At the time of signing up it was more a personal challenge to see what I could get out of it but also to see what kind of content is being put out in these courses.
What I didn’t count on was the networking opportunities I would have throughout this course. I have already met a handful of people. They key to networking is quality and quantity need to have a good balance. There is no point meeting a whole lot of people if you can’t help each other in any way shape or form.
Learning from the goals and ambitions of other people often inspires me to get back on track and start completing my own goals.
One person I met this week they set a fitness challenge in the group. It looked simple enough on the surface so I thought ohh why not I’ll give it a shot. After 10 minutes I was on the ground with an intense lactic acid build up. Even though I was hurting it was a good pain, the pain you where you dug deep and did your best. I ended up posting a photo of me post workout on the post which sparked a really interesting conversation and it was pretty obvious from the get go that we shared a lot of common interests.
Who would have thought that just replying to a simple post would spark a solid networking connection? You never know how many doors or opportunities a simple conversation can open. Don’t waste your networking opportunities.
1. You Can Quickly and Decisively Explain What You Do and What You Offer
At a networking event or speaking to someone online one of the first questions you will get asked is what you do for work. This response needs to worked to a fine art, if it is too brief you won’t give a good overview of what you can offer, if it is too long you have lost me, time is valuable don’t waste it.
Have a good idea of your strongest offerings, what you need help with and any advice you have from your experiences getting to where you are today.
2. You Learn Your Strengths Quickly
At a networking event you may list off 4 or 5 services that you offer but you might find that one of them is constantly being asked about. The first thing you need to do is work out if it is being asked about because no-one has ever heard of it or whether there is a big need for what you offer.
If you hear constantly about areas where others are struggling in a niche related to yours. Create the solution and make that your strength.
If you are struggling in areas of your own business recognise those weaknesses and find someone who can fill that void and offer you advice and a possible service or solution to the problem.
3. You Get New Ideas From What Others Are Doing
The best ideas are often combinations of the best part of lots of ideas. As you begin to listen to others and hear about their ideas it may spark something in your own mind of a different directions you can take your own projects. Creativity and brainstorming is contagious, when the ideas are flowing you better have a notepad close by because who knows if that golden nugget will ever cross your mind again.
4. You Make Some Great Friends
Like minded friends with similar interests are a dime a dozen these days. This is a perfect opportunity to meet some friends that could become very important parts of your life down the track.
5. You Gain Great Knowledge From Others Past Experiences
This is my favourite line of questioning, it’s all well and good that you have reached the point of where you are now but I want to know what you struggled with. The hardest parts of their journey and how they solved them tells me more than enough about the person they are and how they handle stressful situations.
More importantly it might save you from making the same mistakes yourself at some point down the track.
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