1. Recognise importance of networking Ask any successful business person and they will tell you that above all else networking skills are absolutely vital to grow your business. Networking can increase your market share, help you gain new ideas, provide work and perspectives on life and business. Speaking to one person can potentially give you access to over 200 clients and suppliers. 2. Aim to become visible You need to let others know you exist and what you do by becoming highly visible and being set apart from crowd, which is what good networking skills can provide. Be seen and get known. Look for interesting events to go to; clubs, associations, meetings, seminars, conferences, presentations, breakfast briefings, lunches, or start your own networking club. 3. Take care of your image To have success in networking you need to maintain your self-esteem and build your confidence. Consider how you dress, speak and maintain your body language; aim to present a professional, positive image. 4. Always be positive By having an open “can do” attitude and having belief in giving and sharing as well as offering assistance your reputation will soon grow. 5. Treat all events as networking Going into a specific networking event you may experience fear and trepidation but there is also thrill and challenge of who potentially you might meet. However we all have all sorts of events we attend which are in effect networking ie meeting people to build mutally beneficial relationships. The networks we belong to can include schools, colleges, work, social life, small businesses, corporate businesses, family, neighbours, advisors or church.

© 2005 by Harry S Richards

The kind of calls I get from Helpline Service I have operated for past ten years would leave many speechless.

Just last week I received a call from a client who said that he wanted to start a small business venture but had no cash at all. He was so excited with prospect of proposed business that he insisted on telling me all about it. He had every reason to be excited because it seemed that there was no way that he could fail to make a success of it.

However, he wanted me to help him with financial aspects, such as how could he possibly get a loan and how he had such a poor credit rating that no one would give him a loan. So why was he in such disparate straits? I asked. Well he explained how he overlooked his telephone bill, and red reminder so they were going to disconnect it. Then his vehicle has no road tax and M.O.T ran out over a month ago. His wife is demanding housekeeping money and his bank has just returned a cheque he bounced for electricity bill.

Not a good starting point to launch a business I had to explain. However, he went into some more detail about his proposed new business. He actually had people lined up who wanted what he was offering. The only problem with that was that what he was offering was in my own stockroom, and would I supply three units to him so he can get started? Well no, how will I know whether I’ll ever get paid along with all others he owes money to?

Not to worry he explains, business is assured and I would really be backing a one-horse race with odds of 4 to 1. Now I don’t gamble, but if ever there was such a thing as a one-horse race at those odds I would be sorely tempted – wouldn’t you be?

Now how on earth can I help this poor guy? Is he beyond any help at all? Surely there must be a solution somewhere without any risk to me?