Should you join a networking group?
Should you join a networking group?
Before you make the decision about joining any networking group, I would strongly suggest that you visit lots and lots of groups and see which ones you like and which ones you’re not keen on. Even within the same group (like BNI – Business Networking International), there will be different chapters and some chapters will suit you better than others.
Most networking groups will welcome you twice as a visitor before you need to make a decision, but if you are seriously considering joining ask the organiser if you can come again. As long as you don’t take the mickey (going 27 times and still not joining) any organiser should allow you to do this is if they can see you’re being serious.
Should you join a networking group? I would only say the answer is yes, if you’re prepared to spend the time and the energy that joining a networking group requires. It’s not just about attending the event; it’s also about meeting up with fellow members and finding out more about their business and following up after the event. It’s about consistently attending the networking groups and making the most of their training etc. And sometimes, it’s about sitting on the committee too and organising the events.
For the small business owners who have joined a networking group and put the time and effort into it, most of them have told me that they get excellent returns on investment and most will continue to be members year after year after year.
If joining a networking group is not for you, you should aim for five or six different networking events each month – this will ensure that you get a good mixture of events and meet lots of different people. You should then be consistent at following up with everyone at the events, regardless of whether you meet them or not.
In summary then, should you join – yes if you can commit the time and energy it takes to get to know the other members and make the most of a networking group; if you can’t, go along to a variety of other events and be consistent at following up with people you’ve met afterwards. Which one should you join – it’s really important that you go to a number of different groups and events before you commit to joining one group. That way you can see which group would suit you best.
Remember though, ultimately you’re looking for return on investment; you’re looking to get more business from the group than the joining fee would cost you. So when you’re looking for a group, keep this in mind.
Should you join a networking group - To learn more about this author, visit Helen Dowling's Website.
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Someone told me a couple of years ago that there were over 300 networking groups in the UK each with their own networking events – who knows what the situation is right now? The number of networking groups has grown exponentially while I’ve been in business and what’s more each of them has a membership structure where you can potentially join the group. So, should you join a networking group and if so, which one would be the best for you?
Before you make the decision about joining any networking group, I would strongly suggest that you visit lots and lots of groups and see which ones you like and which ones you’re not keen on. Even within the same group (like BNI – Business Networking International), there will be different chapters and some chapters will suit you better than others.
Most networking groups will welcome you twice as a visitor before you need to make a decision, but if you are seriously considering joining ask the organiser if you can come again. As long as you don’t take the mickey (going 27 times and still not joining) any organiser should allow you to do this is if they can see you’re being serious.
Should you join a networking group? I would only say the answer is yes, if you’re prepared to spend the time and the energy that joining a networking group requires. It’s not just about attending the event; it’s also about meeting up with fellow members and finding out more about their business and following up after the event. It’s about consistently attending the networking groups and making the most of their training etc. And sometimes, it’s about sitting on the committee too and organising the events.
For the small business owners who have joined a networking group and put the time and effort into it, most of them have told me that they get excellent returns on investment and most will continue to be members year after year after year.
If joining a networking group is not for you, you should aim for five or six different networking events each month – this will ensure that you get a good mixture of events and meet lots of different people. You should then be consistent at following up with everyone at the events, regardless of whether you meet them or not.
In summary then, should you join – yes if you can commit the time and energy it takes to get to know the other members and make the most of a networking group; if you can’t, go along to a variety of other events and be consistent at following up with people you’ve met afterwards. Which one should you join – it’s really important that you go to a number of different groups and events before you commit to joining one group. That way you can see which group would suit you best.
Remember though, ultimately you’re looking for return on investment; you’re looking to get more business from the group than the joining fee would cost you. So when you’re looking for a group, keep this in mind.
Should you join a networking group - To learn more about this author, visit Helen Dowling's Website.
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Anne BarrAnne Barr has over 26 years experience in sales and marketing, six years as a franchisee. She has assisted over 367 business owners and purchasers to achieve their goals in career change, transition and exit strategy. She holds the designation of Certified Franchise Executive from the International Franchise Association, Certified Business Intermediary from the International Business Brokers Association and Board Certified Broker from the Texas Association of Business Brokers. Anne is active in professional organizations, networking groups and volunteers for non-profit entities. As owner/operator of four successful businesses, Anne has proven people skills and enjoys helping clients find the right "fit" in business ownership. Visit www.FranchiseOpportunitySpecialist.com for more information about me and my company. - Visit Anne Barr's Website |
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Leanne Hoagland-SmithAre your sales where you want them to be? Will you be one of the few who achieves sales or business success or one of the many who have failed to change? Are you tired of being told you are like everyone else? Then you may find my first book on sales of interest. Be the Red Jacket in the Sea of Gray Suits, The Keys to Unlocking Sales available at Amazon or at http://www.processspecialist.com/red-jacket.htm. This book is a reflection of my no-nonsense approach to improving sales to overall business results. If you are truly committed to making sustainable changes, then I can help you secure a positive return on your investment because I focus on executable solutions not telling you the problems you already know you have. From training to corporate (group) coaching to executive one on one coaching, my approach is to assess, create awareness, build a goal driven action plan and then execute. The bottom line question is "Not do you or your employees know it, but do you or they want to do it?" Please call for a free strategy session at 219.759.5601. - Visit Leanne Hoagland-Smith's Website |
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Dave KurlanDave Kurlan is the founder and CEO of Objective Management Group, Inc., the industry leader in sales assessments and sales force evaluations, and the CEO of David Kurlan & Associates, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in sales force development. Dave has been a top rated speaker at Inc. Magazine's Conference on Growing the Company, the Sales & Marketing Management Conference and the Gazelles Sales & Marketing Summit. He has been featured on radio and TV, including World Business Review with General Norman Schwarzkopf, in Inc. Magazine, Selling Power Magazine, Sales & Marketing Management Magazine and Incentive Magazine. He is the author of Mindless Selling and Baseline Selling – How to Become a Sales Superstar by Using What You Already Know about the Game of Baseball. He created and wrote STAR, a proprietary recruiting process for hiring great salespeople, and he writes Understanding the Sales Force, a popular business Blog and is a contributing author to The Death of 20th Century Selling and 101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life, Volume 2. - Visit Dave Kurlan's Website |
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John BrennanJohn Brennan Ed.D. Dr. Brennan is President of Interpersonal Development, LLC, a training and development firm. Interpersonal Development has provided sales training and coaching to more than 3,000 sales reps from over 100 companies. A native of Australia, Dr. Brennan received his doctorate from the University of Rochester. His dissertation researched the effectiveness of Behavioral Modeling Technology in training people in interpersonal skills. While he has spent most of his career designing or delivering training, he was also a Vice-President of Sales of a training and development franchise with operations in 25 markets. Dr. Brennan has designed and delivered sales training in North America, Asia, Europe, Australia and the Middle East. He has been a guest speaker at numerous national and regional professional conferences. When Microsoft wanted Best Practices articles on sales for their web site, they called Dr. Brennan. The results are at http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/FX011387391033.aspx His firm’s clients have included Volvo, The Prudential, Merrill Lynch, Eastman Kodak, Gannett, Equifax Europe, the Economist Group and countless small businesses. - Visit John Brennan's Website |
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