What Can Networking Do for My Business?

We get asked this a lot, as a networking group, and asked too, ‘Is it really worth it?’

Of course, we are going to say that it is worth it, we are running the group and love our members and really want you to be our next member.

But before we ran the group, we were all serial networkers… and for one reason only, because it works.

How does it work, and why?

Networking sometimes seems like a notion from the Eighties era of the boomers, shouting into their brick and briefcase mobile phones, and bragging about who they have networked with that week. And honestly, we all felt like that when we first heard about it. The other impression we had was the hard sell and pushiness that is well known to be the bread and butter of a lot of current networking groups… luckily not here at Ladies That Do Networking. After getting over that brand new business woman nervousness and venturing out into our first meeting with other business women, we realized all our preconceptions were unfounded. Having a network of other local businesswomen has an amazing advantage over going it alone. Sure, you’re still likely to be the only person running your business, but then you step into the monthly Ladies That Do Networking meeting and realise that, you are not completely alone.

Women in business are supportive in a way that no one else is and knowing that can make even the most unproductive day feel less hopeless.

What is Networking…. Really?

It is self-promotion… Self-promotion of your business, of yourself as someone who is likeable and approachable, and above all, knowledgeable in your field. Regular meetings with other businesswomen allow them to get to know you and understand you, so that they see the opportunity to recommend you to their contacts when they see the perfect opportunity to do so. Initially, networking is a very selfish thing to undertake. You want the world to know about your business, well at least all of Hinckley! And then it grows into something much more powerful as you get to know women in the same storm as you, and bit by bit we each help to build our boats strong enough to keep weathering the stormy waters of business, together.

What happens at a typical networking meeting?

You arrive and mingle with the other ladies who have arrived, attend the bar and order your drink for the meeting. Soon afterwards you are called to the meeting area and asked to choose your seat. Always make the effort to sit with someone you have not talked to at all, or recently, as this is the perfect time to learn more about each other and help you remember who is who.

The meeting begins with some business updates and other news, and then the 60 seconds begins. If you have never attended networking before then you will not know that we ask each member to stand in turn and deliver their ‘elevator pitch’ to the other ladies in the meeting. We recommend that you start with your personal name, followed by your business name, then any tagline or motto you have, and then your pitch. This can include talking about your business in broad strokes, or about a particular offer or help you need that month. Then close your pitch with your personal name, business name, and tagline once more. Repetition is key to remembering.

Eating lunch is an important part of the meeting, as this is when conversation can flow more freely between members old and new.

At Ladies That Do Networking, we invite a member to deliver a 10 minute spotlight about their business each month, and a guest speaker to deliver a 20 minute educational or inspirational talk to everyone, hopefully helping each of us along the way with our own businesses.

And that is networking

Why not send us a message or grab yourself a visitor ticket and get started with your networking journey today.

Your Ladies That Do