Blog with TD Gift Solutions

Sometimes it’s about who knows the guy sitting right next to you

You’ve probably heard it for many years in the work world, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know that can help you get ahead. Well, in the small business world that statement is very far from the truth. With a small business you have to network in a manner where you are not excluding possible contacts. Every person that you meet and talk with every day has their own circle of influence outside of knowing you and anyone in their circle has the potential to be your next client.

Here’s a good example. I over herd a conversation not too long ago between two business associates. They both run business with common products most of us use every day, so many people consider them as common referral contacts when talking to other small business owners. My two business associates were discussing how they had no need for Avon services and how the Avon Rep could not possibly be of any use to their own personal businesses. The reality of it is they actually don’t know who the Avon lady knows and if you narrow your circle of contacts to only those with who you think you need services from or those who can be of use to you, then you are short changing yourself and your business. What if the Avon lady has a friend, neighbor, client who needs your services? What if your Avon lady knows the governor, the mayor, has connections with the exact type of people you would like to have as clients? You won’t ever know about her contacts because you have already written the Avon lady off.

With small business networking you have to network and get to know new business contacts with your eyes open, no business contact is too small or worthless. When you pre-judge another business owners worth by only looking at whats in it for you, others are not likely to refer you to their clients/contacts, nor are they likely to trust you. So I challenge you at your next networking event, meeting or even every day gatherings to network in a manner that does not automatically exclude those who you think:

1)They don’t sell anything I need
2)They can’t possibly know anyone I need to know because they don’t sell anything I need and I don’t think anyone else needs their product.

If you are local to Utah and are a small business be sure to check out our group Bountiful Networking & Referrals

To your success
Tina D.