When networking is a business motivator

We all know that networking is an important part of building your business. But as well as making connections with other business people, attending seminars can be a vital business motivator for renewing and maintaining enthusiasm for your business.

One of my main focus areas for business marketing this year has been to attend several networking events and get out amongst the people. I felt that not only was this a great way to try and build contacts at the behest of the experts, but it also was a great motivator to get me out of my office and away from my desk.

What I hadn’t counted on was how doing this would make me really think about my business and renew my enthusiasm for running it, as well as giving me some fresh ideas on how to market myself.

Earlier in the year I attended a Small Business Marketing workshop in Sydney. Filled with excitement and enthusiasm I dusted off the work clothes and headed out with the early morning exodus to the city, happy to be out of the office for a day and mixing with actual human beings for a change.

I had chosen this workshop because I wanted to network with other small business owners and I wanted to pick up some tips and ideas that I could use in my business for the benefit of my clients. These were very specific goals. While the topic of the workshop was likely to help me market my own business, it was a secondary reason for going.

But rather than just using the day as a break from the office to meet people, I found the workshop itself made me think carefully about what I was doing in the business, how I could improve my position in the market and how I could change what I offer my clients.

The ideas that had been building up over the day began to formulate themselves into a plan and by the time I arrived home I had developed a new direction for the business and a new way to position myself in the market.

And even better, the next day I was ready to put all of these ideas into action.

It made me appreciate how seminars and workshops are a fantastic business motivator and a great way to get back your focus on what you need to do to keep the momentum of your business going. Even just networking with people who are interested in what you do could be enough to remind you why you’re doing it.

But choosing a seminar or workshop that is directed at an area of your business you know needs focus can really help generate ideas and give you the enthusiasm to act on them.

Many of us recently benefited from a sharing of ideas at Flying Solo LIVE! and returned to our desks with lots of fresh ideas about running our business, marketing our business and sustaining ourselves within the business.

Naturally you can’t ignore the new business contact opportunities that appear from these events, and I did form some alliances which turned into new business. But this day became more than a networking opportunity, it became a business motivator. It was an injection of fresh ideas and new directions for my business.

Has networking provided unexpected benefits to your business? Tell us about it.

Karen Morris specialises in business to business communications using clear, straightforward language to deliver the right message directly to an audience.

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Hi Karen - The benefits to me of Networking have been the reminder, that although Fying Solo, I'm still part of a bigger picture! Grant Hyman from Sydney | Read my articles
I think you are so right Karen. I have been in business for almost 2 years now and I have found in more recent times that networking and interacting with other business people has had a number of benefits - you mentioned motivation - also processes, brainstorming and confidence.
I have also gained more business from being sincere with my networking than I have from spending money on advertising which rarely gets you any response!
I also agree with your comment Grant - we are apart of the bigger picture (sometimes with out realizing) Sally Murfet from Buckland, Tasmania
I agree with you Karen. Networking for me is more about meeting people and comparing notes on similar achievements and challenges in solo business, than picking up new business (which is an added benefit!). I always feel inspired by others' stories after attending a workshop, seminar or networking event and always make great contacts to bounce ideas off. Johanna Baker-Dowdell from Wamberal, NSW | Read my articles
Even though I have written about and given workshops on networking, I often resist getting of my backside and attending functions. But the networking gene prevails and without fail I meet someone really interesting and useful, hear something really interesting and useful and come away energised and inspired by the motivating atmosphere. Networking is the fuel that feeds the soloist's spirit and grows the business. Wendy Buckingham from Dee Why, Sydney, NSW
I use online networking instead of "water cooler conversation" these days. It's only a recent thing, but I recognised that I was a total hermit, and better be a little less insular. I've joined a few online forums, each with a slightly different focus, to get a less tunnel vision perspective.
I'm not sure if I am ready for events yet, but online is suiting my needs nicely. It's also refreshing to be in contact with people in the same boat, with the same fears and similar dreams.
Because many of my design clients are also solo business operators and start ups, it's also a chance for me to refer them to these networking sites and forums. Di Kennedy from Australia
I like networking; it gives me the platform to introduce my business to my fellow members and to learn about their business. I never go home empty handed. Judit Nagy from Sydney

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