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You need involvement

Written by: Joy Duling

Article Overview: If you're looking to build connections for you and your business, then you need involvement, too. Networking requires you to know other people, and successful entrepreneurs know the best way to do that is to be involved.

You need involvement

In "A Charlie Brown's Christmas," poor Charlie Brown is feeling disconnected and discouraged.

Turning to the only psychologist he knows for advice, Lucy tells him, "You need involvement," which leads him to accept the role as director of the Christmas play.

Well, if you're looking to build connections for you and your business, then you need involvement, too. Networking requires you to know other people, and successful entrepreneurs know the best way to do that is to be involved.

In a recent post, Entrepreneur.com blogger Ivan Misner says you have to go the extra mile. "Take the initiative in developing a relationship with someone who could be of help to you in networking your business," he suggests.

So, take advantage of opportunities to be involved in your community and relevant business organizations.

Here's how you can benefit:

+ Learn about the important issues in your community or neighborhood and be a part of solving problems and developing and enhancing the area where you and your family live, work, and go to school.

+ Find out the important issues pertaining to business and your industry. Work with other leaders to promote a healthy environment for your business to succeed.

+ Meet other leaders who can be great assets to your network, as well as great examples of achievement. Watch them in action and take notes!

+ Build up the talents and skills you already have and use the experiences to make you wiser and more business-savvy.

+ Help someone who needs it! Service to those less fortunate or those in difficult situations is one way to give back to your community, not to mention the perfect way to connect you to the community at large and gain perspective about your own situation.

+ Feel good about what you can do for others!

+ Establish yourself as a leader. Your willingness to take a leadership role will tell others that you are not afraid of responsibility, and that you're willing to work hard to reach goals.

Why this matters...

Involvement in such activities establishes YOU as a credible source of business information. Instead of telling people that you are great at what you do, you're able to show them. When they need information or more in-depth business services, they will know who to call.

One note of caution: you don't have to go out and join every organization you can think of. You owe it to yourself, your business, and others in the organization to commit the time needed to be an effective participant. Focus your talents in organizations that mean something to you and ultimately help you fulfill your business goals.

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Article Tags: assets, business organizations, charlie brown, difficult situations, entrepreneur, experiences, extra mile, gain perspective, healthy environment, initiative, ivan misner, leadership role, lucy, neighborhood, psychologist, relevant business, solving problems, successful entrepreneurs, talents, willingness
Referred by: http://www.calahansolutions.com



Related Forum Posts
Patent experience - Thanks Bob - what's your involvement with inventors? Have you gone through the patent process and found it to be worthwhile?
RSC Business Group - Hi Andy - perhaps you could explain for the members what your involvement has been and how you have benefitted from the program?
Re: The Da Vinci Method - Hi Julie, I haven't read the book, but it kinda makes sense. I must say I like the landing page with the personality quiz "involvement device" that leads to you having to give up your email address to get the result. Very neat. David H
Appreciate your definition - Thank you for that wonderful definition. Incidentally, Aberdeen Lyle Group of New York has a reputable string of successful stock investment management advisory who has helped a lot of shareholders take leverage of merger and acquisition moves of the upcoming market trends specially with the involvement of technology changes.
Question of Ownership - I think this question of ownership depends on the type of investor you have found for your company. Angel investors can range from being extremely hands off to wanting direct involvement in your company. On the other hand, venture capitalists are typically focused on growing the company quickly and efficiently in order to finally exit through a merger, sale or IPO. If this is the case, you might be giving up complete control of your company in five or six years anyway. One other thing to keep in mind is that inventors rarely have just one brilliant idea in their lifetime. In fact, I think most entrepreneurs struggle with the problem of too many ideas and too little time! Perhaps giving up some control of your company will give you the chance to focus on your next one...


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