Minding Your Business

By: Carol Blood

Networking is not just for business owners. The majority of us have a network of people upon whom we depend. We depend on them for referrals, services or assistance. It is important to continually build and nurture relationships with the people in our network.

When you neglect your network, it will not be long before you find yourself without resources or referrals when you need them most.

Julie, a friend in my business network, shared her personal revelation. Many of her clients were not business owners and worked in places like the local grocery store. By shopping at a discount grocery in another area, her dollars were supporting people she did not know. She realized that you cannot just take from your network; you also have to give.

The more you give to your network, the more you will get back.

The most important activity in growing a business is growing relationships. You cannot go to a networking event, hand out your card and expect business. It will not happen like that. You must take time and energy to constantly build your circle of communication. As you build this network, you will build relationships with people who know you, trust you and want to do business with you.

Once you build these relationships, your next step is to help others be successful. Assist others in achieving personal and professional success and your rewards will be great.

If you are reading this and thinking you are too busy to create new partnerships, then you are missing out on one of the most powerful, free, time-tested tools in the business world. Technology makes staying in touch and thanking others a breeze.

Remember the song from Scouts? Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other is gold? We knew it when we were in grade school, why should the rules change once we become adults?

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