“It’s not who you know, but who know you.” That’s the title of David Arvin’s book which focuses on helping businesses raise profits by raising their profiles.
Many successful business people argue that the secret to success is networking. It’s one way to put oneself and one’s company out there and spread the word.
Top benefits of business networking
- Business insights
Regardless of theindustry you’re in, talking with people tends to lead to valuable insights that can help create or improve a product or service. More often than not, talking with external individuals about a business challenge or idea can help spark new ideas and find creative solutions. - Brand awareness
If you’re meeting with people and you’re sharing them what you do, you’re helping increase your brand awareness. The more people hear about you and your company, the more they will keep in you in mind when new opportunities or needs arise. - Gain knowledge
People are full of knowledge, and although you might be an expert in a topic, you will likely meet professionals who are experts in different fields. This can come in useful for business purposes and it will help you expand your business knowledge. - Referrals and potential clients
Networking can lead to referrals and potential clients. - Business partnerships
When you’re networking, you’re likely to find like-minded individuals and companies that share similar values and objectives. These can result in valuable business opportunities and partnerships that can help move your business forward.
And although most networking today can be done online, technology and social media platforms have made it easier than ever to network and connect with people, there’s nothing like face-to-face interaction to establish a strong bond between individuals and companies.
If you’re based in Nashville and don’t know where to start, you should stop by and check out the Nashville Startup Businesses Coffee Talk. The group meets once a month in Green Hills Office Suites for coffee. The group covers a wide range of business topics and it’s a great opportunity where people get to bounce ideas off one another.
