Business networking groups – are you in the right one?

Which Business Networking group suits you?

Here are 5 things to think about before you join or leave a group.

Thanks to everyone who attended the networking for results seminars and workshops in 2009. The purpose was to help attendees create instant attraction (some call it stickiness) when at a business networking event. Attendees also learned how to shift the paradigm of networkers “if everyone is trying to sell how do I establish interest in me?”

They can now practice everywhere they go, sharpen up and measure the results – there’s no reason why they shouldn’t use their new skills on LinkedIn, twitter, etc. or at social events. After all, the first key to business networking is to help others so there’s no harm in doing that everywhere you go.

Here’s 5 top tips on getting results from business networking groups:

1. Only join a group if you are prepared to make introductions and follow up on those you receive. The more you give the more you receive so get comfortable with the fact you know a lot of people and they might thank you for making connections to the new people you meet online and offline.
2. Ensure you can meet the commitments; including your time, effort, resources and money. Some groups have rules relating to introductions you must bring to the group, some focus on quality or accountability, others are happy if you turn up and pay your dues. Networking effectively means allocating time for preparation and follow up. Groups and events are a great place to meet people yet it’s the extra time spent with them that makes the difference between networking and notworking. One group generated over £500,000 between 23 people in 12 months. It wasn’t though luck.
3. Geography and practicality; often ignored yet you should find out about the group and it’s members as well as travel concerns. If you are a local business join a group with local contacts. Parking tickets are a pain, especially if you have to leave early to feed the meter or catch a train. Leaving early has the same effect as arriving late. You miss out.
4. Personality of group; Dark and cold January mornings are bearable if you’re enjoying yourself. If you feel at home when you arrive at a group you’re in the right place, so trust your instincts. If they are welcoming and helpful, it’s a good sign. They will help you if you are willing to participate.
5. What are you going to bring to the group? If you don’t contribute you will not get results. If you do, things will return to you in abundance. You won’t get plenty of introductions each week because you go networking. You will get them because of what you do between events. There should only be one reason to leave a group – you cannot make the commitments anymore.

Wrap up; Are you prepared to make introductions, follow up on every one you receive, allocate time to prepare, meet people after the event and contribute? If so, you can find a group that is right for you. Groups can be great and you can  multiply the results you get inside and outside groups if you create a networking plan. Contact us for details of our seminars and quick results training where you can learn how to do this.

Tip for today; Don’t underestimate people in any group that you visit. You have no idea who they know and they won’t tell you until you have helped them. Click here for a download to help you achieve that.

Beyond Networking is a networking results company. It will take five minutes to determine if anything they do will save you time and effort when networking.

Next week; Discover why are some networkers more successful than others.

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