Where do you do your networking...

[Power Lunch Club]

Now I am truly interested in where people do their networking and why and what works for them.

What is important, what do you want out of networking?

[EmployEasily HR Services]

Hi Gordon - Great Question BTW!!

I'm a member of the Dynamo Chapter of BNI and also an Assistant Director with BNI Scotland West so do most of my networking that way.

I joined BNI and became an AD because I totally believe in their 'givers gain' philosophy and recognised immediately the fantastic, unique sales/marketing opportunity that BNI membership offers.

What works for me is the fact that by joining, I locked out my competitors and therefore have exclusivity for referrals to my industry.......I directly benefit from the power of word of mouth marketing every week. In the UK and Ireland alone, there are over 600 BNI Chapters that in 2008 gave over 560,054 referrals, leading to business worth £190m........membership gives you access to a massive business network dedicated to the 'Givers Gain' philosophy.

I'm also a member of 4Networking, another large scale networking organisation that works in a different way to BNI - no assurance of referrals being passed but guaranteed 1:1s with other business owners every week.

What's important to me in terms of networking is that there are genuine opportunities to meet other business owners who are truly interested in growing their network, interested in helping/supporting others with advice, mentoring and yes, referrals and/or direct business opportunities.

what puts me off are networking events where the majority of people there are 'sharks' simply looking to get a sale there and then.

Networking is about building relationships and trust first.........do that and the referrals and sales will follow naturally.

[Gordon N]

Originally Posted by Power Lunch Club

What is important, what do you want out of networking?

I have to say I do most of my networking online at the moment (sad isn't it!), there's not much in the way of networking opportunities up this neck of the woods. There are a couple of small business clubs but they aren't very productive in all honesty.

I look for an opportunity to meet similar minded individuals who I can share my business experience and problems with, and discuss local business issues etc. The best events I have been to have been more social in their approach it seems to put people more at ease.

I must look into the chamber of commerce actually - keep forgetting their here!

[Adventurelife]

Two routes to networking that pay back in spades.

1st with my customers.

The best route to more customers is via existing customers, so we mix with them, go out of our way for them and spend a lot of time just chilling and chatting with them.

2nd Online as you are all online no need to explain the power of this

To me it is all about return on investment of my time, the above two routes justify my time more tan any other I have discovered.