OPERATIONS
NETWORKING
SPONSORED CONTENT
Getting the Most Out of Your Network EFFECTIVE NETWORKING, LIKE ANYTHING, IS A SKILL THAT NEEDS TO BE EXERCISED AND HONED.
RETHINK YOUR NETWORK Entrepreneurs tend to think of the word “network” as a verb, as something you should be doing to advance your own cause. But if you take a moment to step back and see a “network” for the noun that it is, it can be very enlightening. In its simplest form, a network is a collection of dots. Those dots are joined by connections. Your network is all the dots that you know. There are billions of dots out there, and many of them hold the potential for expanding your clientele and growing your business. If you focus on simply collecting as many dots as you can, you might end up with a huge contact list, but still miss the whole point of having a network. If all those connections remain surface level because they
by Kurt Coleman
ou’ve probably heard the phrase, “it isn’t what you know,
If you see an opportunity to give meaningful advice, even if it doesn’t benefit you, do it. Giving without the implication of reciprocation builds trust and loyalty. You are planting seeds that have the potential to blossom into something greater. You won’t always be the recipient of that fruit, but when you are, it can be very rewarding.
Y
but who you know.” Developing connections is the cornerstone of any successful business. Effective networking provides the opportunity to learn from the experiences of others, promote your brand, and build new clientele. Networking that leads to opportunity is born out of persistence, dedica- tion, and the willingness to develop surface-level interactions into meaningful relationships. But, these relationships don’t happen overnight. As an entrepreneur, you can never know too many people. Still, the best network values quality over quantity. Handing out your business cards to a thousand people might lead to a few extra clicks and a passing interest in your business, but having a meaningful conversation with just five people can have an even greater impact. The key here is making a true connection. To be most effective, you must show genuine interest in those with whom you’re talking. Take the time to sit down and get to know people one- on-one. The goal isn’t to spam your connections solely for the purpose of what you can get out of them. People tend to know when they are being used as a means to an end. Instead, take an interest in their ideas and offer yourself as a resource.
54 | think realty magazine :: july – august 2022
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