EFFECTIVE NETWORKING | Nataliey Bitature

So I get asked a lot about networking and the importance of networking and how to network. And firstly, I would say networking is important because no business is built without people. No industry, no institute, no organization. People run everything. So it's important to have a network of people throughout your sector with your friends and family, and it's important to grow that network, especially for your business. I would say the best way to do that is by making genuine connections. And to make a genuine connection, you need to try and find common ground with someone else. You need to build a link and a bond so that you're not just a handshake and a business card. You need to make sure that they will remember you. Build that goodwill. I think you can do this by actively listening and taking an interest in what they're talking about or in the sector, or what has brought you together. Whether you're bonding about something like the good weather or the problems in your sector, it's important that you listen to what someone is saying and value their opinion and have some good feedback. I would also say it's important to try and be useful to that person. So whether you can send them a good link to an article or introduce them to someone, or give them some new information, something that shows them that you're interested and that you are a person that they want to keep the connection with. That way, in the future, as your network grows, you can look to these people and they can make recommendations. You can make hires from there. They might hire you or. Or they might be able to introduce you to someone or advise you on something. And this is how your business can grow.