It's Not So Much What You Know-But-Who You Know

I've often been told, Your Success in Business is determined by the number of successful business owners that you meet and Interact with.

Birds of a feather, flock together. And so it is in business. As you go about your everyday business duties you'll come in contact with a number of other business people. They will be a wide array of people. From CEO's to vendors to fellow business owners. These people are important to your business in more ways than one. If you hired them or they bought your product or service, you can also gain their business knowledge,experience, ideas, and advice.

"How?" You Ask.

By Simply Building a business relationship with them. Talk to them on a regular basis. Ask Questions. Share successes and failures. It's called Networking and a Business can grow beyond it's wildest dreams if you'll Just Do It.

Let's Consider all the benefits you'll gain by networking with other business people:

• Learning important skills that you wouldn't have had
• Profitable business Ideas brought about by brainstorming
• Insight and Knowledge that you wouldn't have had
• A lead to a new business project or opportunity
• Advice solving current business problems
• Instructional guidance that improved your business
• More joint ventures and cross promotion deals
• Positivity and encouragement from your peers

Meet business people by Joining business clubs and associations. Kiwanis, Chamber of Commerce, etc. Just to name a few. Participate in on-line business-related forums, e-mail discussion groups, and chat rooms. Go to business expos and trade shows. Use your creativity to come up with even more ideas.

If you have the time, start your own networking group. You could hold meetings at a local seminar room, at a park , or at your own business building. If you want to hold meetings on-line use a private chat room. Publish a print or e-mail newsletter to keep members informed of meeting time and dates.

Keep all your business associates' contact information all in one place. Have it organized by business type or profession for easy finding. So when you need some advice on a new marketing campaign you can call that marketing expert you met at that trade show in Ohio a couple of weeks ago.

Networking is a surefire way to build a successful business. I have used it countless times and will continue to do so. I have also met a lot of business people who are now some of my closest friends.