Business Networking

Business networking groups are an imperative in today's environment when everything seems to be busting loose at the seams. We all know how useful Active Rain has been for us and sometimes we overlook opportunities to join new business networking groups because we feel a little overwhelmed just trying to stay afloat.

Wikipedia defines business networking as "a marketing method by which business opportunities are created through networks of like minded business people". Creating business opportunities doesn't sound all that bad does it?

Here's the thing, we know we have to network in order to be visible. We cannot rely on old methods to get ourselves in front of new people. In today's economic environment, we must take advantage of everything we can possibly can to create and promote new business opportunities. Personally my commitment to partners is that we both must succeed in order for the partnership to be successful. There are millions of opportunities out there to connect with a business partner and come up with a win plan for both of you.

Business Networking in action

Here's a great example, Will2Design is a web design firm. While we do a ton of custom graphics, we don't really specialize in printed material. 3DegressLA also creates a ton of graphics, but they really don't specialize in websites. The two companies just established a great partnership whereby we promote each other's specialties in order to attract more business! It's a perfect case where business networking really pays off for both companies. So, for instance, for our website clients, part of the new questionnaire is "Do you require any printed marketing materials?" If the answer is "Yes" we gather the information necessary and send the job on to 3DegreesLA who performs the work and sends it back to us to go on to the client. The same works from their end to ours.

Multiple types of business networking opportunities exist out there, you really never know when one might come upon you. Keep your eyes and ears open and take advantage of social networking possibilities that are out there. There are so many that you can gain traction in and really get noticed for a minimum of effort and expenditure. Sites like Twitter, Perfect Networker, and Facebook have revolutionized the business networking capability of the average person. Take advantage of these new ways to connect to business people that are actively in pursuit of business networking opportunities and you'll find them!

I can't think of a better way to spend any spare time you do have throughout your business day that to pursue business networking opportunities.

Thanks for reading!