Save content
Have you found this content useful? Use the button above to save it to your profile.

Which network to pick?

12th Nov 2013
Save content
Have you found this content useful? Use the button above to save it to your profile.

The name of the game these days is value for money. And in our case, time is money, so when it comes to networking events I'm looking for something that represents time AND money well spent.

And therein lies the challenge. I seem to be inundated with invitations to all manner of networking events, from BNI (and newer networking groups set up by ex-BNI'ers), to chamber of commerce, district council and whatever it is that succeeded whoever it was that took over from Business Link. In the end I tend to flit around a bit and see what works.

My younger team members don't have the same problem. If you're female (which I am not) there are some select women's networking events, so one of my colleagues tends to go to them. They seem to be quite useful. We also have a presence at BNI/son of BNI groups, which we try to promote to our younger managers as they are a great training ground for those new to business networking. I was interested to see recently that BNI now markets itself as a training organisation, rather than a networking group.

For my part, my strategy is to try to find out where the people I want to meet hang out. That takes a bit of trial and error, not to mention rather too many cooked breakfasts and heavy lunches for my liking. You do have to see past the regulars, the networking junkies and 'consultants' who seem to turn up at so many of these events and make you wonder if they ever do any real work! But usually there are a few really valuable contacts there.

The key to success, in my opinion, is to treat networking as part of your overall strategy rather than just a one-off effort. Don't forget to follow up introductions, arrange to meet people again on a one-to-one basis after a networking event, or promptly send them that article or leaflet you mentioned to them - find easy and unobtrusive ways to keep in touch and offer them something of value, remind them that you're there and that you're interested in their business. Some time in the future - it may be weeks, months or years - many of them will come back and instruct you to act for them. But if your only contact was at an unmemorable networking event somewhere, the chances of that happening are so much less.

I'd be interested to know what works best for you.

Tags:

You might also be interested in

Replies (3)

Please login or register to join the discussion.

By taxhelpukcom
20th Nov 2013 15:25

Business over Breakfast (BoB)

 

One of our members shot this short video just last week at a meeting.

It asks the members and visitors what benefits they have achieved from regular business networking:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxrOiPMaogk

 

Thanks (0)
Mark Lee headshot 2023
By Mark Lee
19th Nov 2013 16:40

What a great question.

And I entirely agree that accountants will get most benefit from networking if they decide what is their networking strategy. The alternative is to simply leave it to chance whether or not it ends up being a worthwhile use of your time.  

I shared some ideas re different networking groups and the differences between different groups in this article on accountingweb last year>>>>

(Although written specifically for start-up practices, most of the points are equally applicable to more established practices too)

Mark

ps: James' reference to BoB above also shows how our needs can evolve. I recall he was previously a great advocate for BNI. Different groups are right at different stages in our career and dependent on who else attends. Some BNI groups are great. Others less. The same will be true for BoB, 4Networking and all of the others.

Thanks (0)
By The 5-50 Coach
03rd Feb 2014 08:31

I think that different networks offer different benefits and agree with Mark's point about strategy having to come first.

But what always surprises me is how many people think networking groups are networking. Networking groups are a small part of networking, their function being to add relevant people to your network.

The question then changes to how much time and effort do you spend looking after your network, which could include clients, prospects, ex-clients, relevant business contacts etc.

 

Thanks (0)