When you start up a new business or you simply want to expand and get your brand more well known or secure more business, and consequently more profit, then networking provides a real opportunity to do these things.
There are several Networking Groups in Harrogate and I am a member of two...... 4Networking which meets every other Wednesday at The Park, Hornbeam Park, Harrogate between 8am and 10am or if you prefer a lunchtime meeting, Network North have just started a new group in Harrogate and this meets at the Yorkshire Hotel, Prospect Place, Harrogate every other Tuesday between 11.45 am and 1.30pm.
Once you have booked a place as a guest (and you can visit twice before deciding whether to join) you simply pay £10 for breakfast/lunch as appropriate.
I can heartily recommend both groups as they each have friendly like minded business owners and there is no pressure to pass work or recommendations as the groups understand it takes time to build trust in business relationships!
Contact Tony Ryalls on 07739 702703 for 4Networking or Lyndsey Burdis on 07970 547706 to book a place at the next Network North meeting
In the meantime here are some great Networking tips from Network North:-
Referrals, really good high quality referrals, come from your network. That includes the people closest to you, your friends, family, social groups as well as business-related contacts such as clients, suppliers and people you meet at networking events. If you can change your mindset and view networking groups and events as an opportunity to feed your network, rather than the end result in themselves, you will experience a much greater return on the investment you put into them. Focus on building relationships, developing trust and understanding with the people with whom you network, so that you can count them among the people who want to support you. That means meeting people outside of events, interacting with them online and putting real time and effort into the relationship. People with strong networks prosper, but they are not necessarily the same people you see at a lot of events.
One of the key themes I have talked about recently is the importance of networking to become better known. You've most probably heard the phrase 'it's not what you know, it's who you know'. That, however, is not the most important thing. It's not just who you know, it's who knows you and what they say about you, that counts. Where do you need to raise your profile? Who do you need to be talking about you and what do you need them to say? Make sure that you know the answers to those questions. If you don't, how can others help you get the message out?
Networking events can take up a lot of our time. Breakfast and lunch meetings can run on until well into the working day while evening events mean getting home late. The temptation is, therefore, to leave as soon as the formal business has been concluded. That can be a big mistake. Time and again I have seen the best conversations take place well after most people have left. People have relaxed, have got used to speaking to others and you don't tend to be interrupted as often in mid flow. It is at the end of meetings that you often get into deeper conversation and find out more about people. It is also easier to approach the more 'in demand' people at the event, such as the speaker. Don't be in such a rush to grab your coat and go, spend a little extra time networking and enjoy the dividends.
At a recent meeting, a business coach wanted me to address their problem of asking for help. They felt that they lacked the courage to ask for specific contacts for referrals. It soon became apparent that they didn't lack courage at all. What was missing was a clear idea of whom they wanted to speak to and, therefore, the referrals that could be offered to them. As soon as we focused on the type of business their company was looking to win, and then looked at the likely network of key contacts, the referrals to ask for became very apparent. It all starts with asking and being specific!
