How to Network and Create Your Own Luck?
It is true, indeed, that in small business sector, helping each other out is often the only way to go for business survival. Unfortunately, business networking is often overlooked as a way to not only share experience and ideas but also growing your business. In fact, attending networking events can “expose” you and your small business to new opportunities.
If you are currently not taking business networking seriously, then this biz talk will help you to gain understanding on why networking is crucial and how to do it effectively, in such a way that you are enabled to “create your own luck.”
In the latest season of Entrepreneur’s Project Grow, Colleen DeBaise, Special Projects Director of Entrepreneur Magazine talks with Bertrand Sosa, President of Rev Worldwide and Co-Founder of NetSpend about the importance of business networking. Here is the recap of the very useful video…
Why business networking is important?
When starting out, Bertrand didn’t consider networking as important when he and his brother Roy started NetSpend in 1999. He was so focused on creating your products and achieving your targets. But it seems difficult to grow his business because he didn’t know where to seek help.
The brothers, who emigrated from Mexico at a young age and didn’t speak English at first, didn’t realize how many people were prepared to help them. “The networking effect of the American Dream isn’t exactly spelled out for you,” Bertrand says.
He learned that networking is the key to business success. The golden rule of networking, according to Bertrand, is you should network with as many people as possible.
How Bertrand does it?
He attends business events and conferences – the hangout place for like-minded people. Not stopping there, he and his brother started Rise, a non-profit conference where entrepreneurs can share ideas. The conference also offers the opportunity to talk and gain knowledge from mentors and gain access to business funding.
Bertrand’s top business networking tip
The best thing small business owners can do to grow their business is to network; just do it, and learn on how to do it right. Make business networking a priority in your agenda.
Networking is like training to athletes. When you are well-trained, someday, somehow, opportunities will come to you, as if you create your own luck.
So, small business owners – if you want to be successful, you need to be proactive; you should network with as many like-minded people as possible.
Just get started, will ya?
