Networking in Business

Culpeper Star Exponent

Business Monday

Jim Charapich

March 24, 2014

Networking is a staple in most business priorities and takes on many forms within the membership of a Chamber of Commerce. The vibrancy created in the business community by a strong network is a reflection of a healthy ecosystem. Networking is not as easy as showing up for a meeting. Nor is it as easy as having one conversation with a business acquaintance. Successful networking takes work. It would be unrealistic to think that one could play a successful game of golf after playing just one round. It takes practice to understand the game of golf. Like a set of clubs in the golf bag, networking also takes the mastery of a set of skills.

Why network? For many today, their office may be a home base business or a small office. These can be very isolating. The best way to keep communication skills sharp is to interact in person with your peers in business. Understanding which club to play out of the bag of networking is best developed by experience on the course. More importantly, this is best refined in action. It is rare and unlikely that one’s skills will be improved while sitting in an office waiting for the phone to ding with the next email.

 

It is further important to refine one’s networking skills in order to build a base of business referrals. There is nothing more powerful than to have an associate that you have worked with refer you to a friend. As humans we are built for networking. We look to others to validate our decisions. We also look for others to help us find shortcuts to making good decisions. Plus, according to an industry study, consumers are more likely to do business with a small business if they are a member of the Chamber of Commerce network.

It would be naïve to ignore the new world of social networking as a club in the bag of networking skills. Social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Instagram, Pinterest, and Google Plus are extensions but NOT replacements for personal networking. Social network interactions online are a way to keep up with a community of associates. However, when integrated with face to face networking, the combination can be especially powerful. Conversations are often jump started and more refined as a result of  online social media linkages.

Members in a Chamber of Commerce are part of something much larger than the individual parts. As a group, our network enables a sharpening of skills. It supports a greater level of opportunity to build referrals. It supports the perception of greater community support. It allows the voice of business to be stronger in setting the table of economic prosperity. Our joint strength is not only recognized as beneficial in local opportunities, but also in the newest frontier of strength, our aggregated online visibility. Local communities of business that invest in the online visibility of Chamber members combined with traditional networking will illuminate opportunities in the new digital business ecosystem. Grow your business today through the membership network of your local Chamber of Commerce.