If you’ve spent any time in the business world, or really in a professional community of any kind, you have hear people extolling the virtues of networking. You may not feel particularly comfortable with the idea. You may feel as though networking is insincere, or fake. It might seem even a little immoral to you, the idea of speaking to others with only one’s own benefit in mind. If you are naturally an introvert, the idea might even scare you, or at the very least make you feel tired. But here are some situations in which networking is necessary.
The Story of Betsy
Betsy is raising two young sons. She is raising them on her own, since her husband left five years ago. She is a manager at a supermarket. The pay is alright, but the hours keep her away from her sons far more than she would like. Betsy love to browse thrift stores and flea markets for vintage jewelry. She has a fantasy of going into business for herself, selling fine costume jewelry wholesale. Then, she could set her own hours and be with her sons more often. She needs to speak with other female entrepreneurs. Betsy could really benefit from the knowledge and expertise of other women who have traveled the road on which she wishes to embark.
The Story of Carson
Carson is 21 and a senior in college. As a graduation present, his grandmother has set aside a considerable sum of money for him. There have been many jokes in the family about Carson squandering the money like a Prodigal Son, but he has plans to act responsibly. Carson wants to invest the cash, in the hopes that it will multiply. However, he is wary of the investment process. He has heard many frightening stories of people who have lost everything in the wrong investment. He needs more than the tips he finds in the investing books he’s been reading for years. He needs to speak with his grandmother, and anyone else he knows who has real hands on experience in the world of investing.
Dennis
Dennis is 64 years old. For the past twenty years, he has been the owner of his own motorcycle repair shop. He definitely is not ready to pack in his tool belt yet, but he does have his eye on retiring some time within the next 10 years. He wants to leave the running of the business to his oldest son Trevor, but he’s not sure about the ins-and-outs of business succession planning. Dennis needs to talk with other retired family business owners to find out the steps they took to ensure a smooth transition. He needs to find the best ways to ensure the well-being of his business and his son.
These are just a few situations in which networking can be extremely helpful. Even if it does not come naturally to you, it is a very valuable skill to acquire. It helps if, instead of simply using people for their knowledge, you show genuine interest in hearing their stories. You might make a friend or two along the way.