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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Business-to-Business Networking?
Developing business contacts to create business relationships to expand or solidify your business, serve the community, or increase your knowledge. Sometimes referred to as 'Business Networking', or simply 'Networking', as we do here on this page.
What do I stand to gain from networking?
This question indicates that you may want to step back and look again at what networking is all about. Networking is about 'we', not about me. Having said that, there are many benefits.
Think of it this way: would you rather open the phone book to find a heating and air conditioning specialist and guess that the person listed has integrity and skill, or would you rather ask your trusted friend who just had a new air conditioner installed? Most people prefer a referral over the random draw of an unknown.
How do I get started networking?
This is a broad question, and one that can't be answered in the space we have here. Simply put, you need to start talking with people. I don't mean selling to people, I mean talk with them. Learn about them; they'll ask about you soon enough, and be more interested in you as a result. The most successful networkers build mutually-beneficial relationships based on knowledge and trust.
You keep mentioning relationships. Are they that important?
Ask almost anyone who has successfully launched a business and taken it into the multi-million dollar range. They'll very likely tell you that they'd never have made it if it weren't for the relationships they built.
Corny as it may sound, if you help people, they have a real interest in helping you. For some people this is altruism, for others it's simply a preference to work with like-minded people. After all, it's a lot easier to work with someone you trust. If you don't buy that, then look at it from a purely mercenary perspective: they stand to benefit by turning around and helping you, because they know you'll return the favor.
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