Business networking skills

Business networking comes easier to some people than others, but the good news is business networking skills can be learnt and improved on.

In this section fellow soloists share their business network experiences and what has and hasn’t worked for them. Whether you are networking at a breakfast, a business lunch or a cocktail function, you’ll find practical tips on making the most of business networking events.

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Business networking articles

• Networking

  Success at speed networking

  If you haven’t been to a speed networking event, I urge you to give one a go. You get to formally meet and follow up with 20 to 30 people and have fun at the same time. Here’s how speed networking works.

  • Published 26 May 08
  • Megan Tough
  • 14 Comments

• Networking

  Cooperation versus competition

  Us soloists are busy and time poor. Unless you are outsourcing there will come a time whereby you have capped your capacity to serve your clients. When you reach that point, what are your options? This article looks at cooperation versus competition.

  • Published 21 May 08
  • Heather Smith
  • 11 Comments

• Networking

  The benefits of business networks

  The more business owners I meet, the more I recognise that what makes businesses successful is an understanding of the benefits of being involved in business networks. Many soloists talk about networking but not all walk their talk.

  • Published 16 April 08
  • Kathie M. Thomas
  • 13 Comments

• Networking

  Should you send Christmas cards to clients?

  This month I plan to correct one of the biggest mistakes I have made since flying solo and send Christmas cards to clients. In the past I didn’t do this, but instead donated the money I would have spent on cards and postage to a charity.

  • Published 02 November 07
  • Karen Morath
  • 32 Comments

• Networking

  Management skills: How networking helps

  Plenty can be learnt from looking at how larger organisations operate. Attending networking meetings with people from a variety of businesses can provide great insights into the management of your small or solo business.

  • Published 29 August 07
  • Kathie M. Thomas
  • 3 Comments

• Networking

  Six mistakes made at business networking events

  When you consider that business networking events are about establishing relationships, it's surprisingly common to actually alienate those you meet. So how do you avoid making such mistakes?

  • Published 20 August 07
  • Linda Anderson
  • 11 Comments

• Networking

  Networking at a cocktail function

  Cocktail functions have a different feel about them than other business networking events. Here's how to make sure the drinks are diluted and not your networking!

  • Published 30 May 07
  • Kim McGuinness
  • 2 Comments

• Networking

  Tips for networking at a business lunch

  If you think business lunches are a relic of the 80's, you're missing out on a valuable business tool. In a previous article we discussed preparing for a networking function. Now let's review tips for networking at a business lunch.

  • Published 11 April 07
  • Kim McGuinness
  • 3 Comments

• Networking

  Business networking groups: Have you reviewed your networking schedule?

  Networking can be a significant investment of money and time, so it makes sense to analyse whether you should continue to belong to your various business networking groups. This doesn’t take long – you just need to answer a few simple questions.

  • Published 26 March 07
  • Megan Tough
  • 3 Comments

• Networking

  Preparing for a networking function

  The key to making the most of networking functions is preparation. As the following tips explain, if you're well prepared, you'll be more open to new connections and so will make the most of every networking opportunity.

  • Published 21 February 07
  • Kim McGuinness
  • 3 Comments

• Networking

  Improve business by avoiding assumptions

  Are your assumptions costing you business? Often, misunderstandings, dramas, upsets and unnecessary worry in life and business are created by assumptions not actual facts.

  • Published 09 February 07
  • Wendy Buckingham
  • 3 Comments

• Networking

  Five tips for business networking at breakfast

  You have invested time and money to attend a breakfast function. It makes sense to leverage that investment by business networking. Here are five tips to help you make the most of the opportunity.

  • Published 17 November 06
  • Kim McGuinness
  • 6 Comments

• Networking

  Develop a strong personal brand for your business

  Personal branding is important for business and as a solo business owner to a large extent, you are the brand! Here's some tips on how to brand you ... to stand out and shine.

  • Published 30 August 06
  • Sue Currie
  • 3 Comments

• Networking

  Setting up your Business Action Group

  Last month we talked about getting together with other soloists to support and grow your business through a Business Action Group (BAG). If you’re thinking “This is for me” then here are the steps to setting up your very own BAG.

  • Published 28 July 06
  • Trish Weston
  • 11 Comments

• Networking

  Business Action Groups: Your Success is in the BAG

  When you work in isolation, running a successful business isn’t just about getting clients but about building relationships in a supportive environment. That's where Business Action Groups (BAG) come in.

  • Published 23 June 06
  • Trish Weston
  • 3 Comments

• Networking

  Networking tips for busy parents

  When you're running a hectic household, networking is probably the last thing on your mind. But the rewards are there for those prepared to apply focus to the task. Read on for some great networking tips for busy parents.

  • Published 07 June 06
  • Kim McGuinness
  • 4 Comments

• Networking

  Improve your networking skills

  Good networking skills give us a perfect opportunity to make assessments of the people we meet. Usually once you get chatting you can tell if this initial meeting will lead to a lasting relationship.

  • Published 03 May 06
  • Barb Clews
  • 1 Comment

• Networking

  Five ways to make business networks work

  You know business networks are important, but are you getting the most out of going to events and meeting new people? Here are 5 proven ways to make every bit of networking you do worthwhile.

  • Published 03 March 06
  • Ricky Nowak
  • 3 Comments

• Networking

  The social approach to business networking

  The idea of business networking becomes a lot less stressful when you try broadening your social circle via existing friends.

  • Published 09 December 05
  • Yaro Starak
  • 5 Comments

• Networking

  Making the most of business networking events

  Now is the time for sharpening and honing your networking skills. Here's how to take advantage of the heightened number of business networking events.

  • Published 05 December 05
  • Thomas Murrell
  • 4 Comments

• Networking

  Why aren't you networking?

  You think you have reasons to give that networking function a miss, but are your 'reasons' more like excuses? Read on for some advice on how to become a better networker.

  • Published 22 November 05
  • Kim McGuinness
  • 8 Comments

• Networking

  How to use networking to beat home business blues

  Isolation can take you by surprise. So it's important to make the effort to get away from your business and start networking and socialising with others.

  • Published 09 November 05
  • Yaro Starak
  • 7 Comments

• Networking

  Social skills - the secret of networking?

  When so much of today's business networking is done (or at least discussed) in a social setting, perhaps we all need a little etiquette upskilling.

  • Published 31 October 05
  • Sue Currie
  • 3 Comments

• Networking

  Making a good first impression

  Lots of solo business owners worry about making a good first impression on people they meet whilst networking.

  • Published 26 October 05
  • Barb Clews
  • 2 Comments

• Networking

  Business networking burnout

  If you've overdosed on business networking and find yourself avoiding networking groups, you're showing symptoms of burnout. Here's the antidote.

  • Published 30 September 05
  • Wendy Buckingham

• Networking

  Personal marketing for the shy

  Business networking for solo business owners is all about personal marketing. So what do you do when you know you should go, you know you could go, but you don’t actually want to go. These tips will show you how to face up to your fears.

  • Published 21 September 05
  • Wendy Buckingham

• Networking

  Building rapport when networking

  Attending networking events can be a great way to boost your profile and build rapport...but only if you know what you're doing.

  • Published 27 July 05
  • Sue Currie
  • 6 Comments

• Networking

  Professional networking: Turning colleagues into allies

  If we engage in professional networking, we'll never feel isolated. Question is, how do you turn colleagues into allies?

  • Published 07 July 05
  • John Raymond
  • 5 Comments

• Networking

  Networking strategies: Get involved!

  It's easy to get lost in your own world in Soloville, so you need to make a conscious effort to put networking strategies in place and stay connected.

  • Published 07 July 05
  • Robert Gerrish