Summary: In today’s podcast episode, Stephen Halasnik and his guest Joe Mindak discuss the power and skills of people networking. Becoming a networking expert is a very valuable skill in the business world.
Summary
The Power of Networking is Endless
Networking is more than just getting business cards, sending out emails, and getting as many connections as you can on Linkedin. When going to a networking event you have to build relationships and bond with the person you are talking to, not just share information quickly, and then you’ll want to follow up.
After making new connections there is always a chance those connections could end up expanding your business further down the road and potentially lead to job opportunities. There are always networking opportunities because your name can spread through word of mouth.
Good networking is about sharing and forming beneficial relationships with many people. When building a strong networking group, it will be easy to help each other reach your goals.
Steps to Using Networking as a Tool
Networking does not come easy for everyone, and one of the first steps is attending networking meetings/ groups, and start building professional relationships. You can even start with people you know, such as co-workers.
When you come across a good connector, it is important to trust people when they tell you to meet someone. Sometimes the connection is not always going to work but there are times when the person can lead to a referral to someone else, and these referrals will just grow your network.
When you have a problem you can reach out to your professional networking groups and get someone in there that can help with their needs to reach their goal.
Essential Networking Skills
Soft skills are the interpersonal attributes that are used for success in the workplace. With that being said below are some skills that are essential when it comes to networking:
- Communication
- Active listening
- Social skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Nonverbal communication
- Caring/ empathy
- Ask questions
- Time management
All of these skills can help a networker grow in their position. When looking for a new job, the job market can be challenging, but you can seek out business networking groups to help save a lot of time. Being able to have professional relationships and professional connections can help your personal network. Start building your personal network and make it an important tool. Networking can help with your personal growth and your business.
Networking Mistakes to Avoid
Networking mistakes happen while you are building your network because you can easily believe you are wasting your time. It takes time and one must constantly be building current relationships while you are adding new relationships.
Another thing you should try to avoid would be asking for too much or too little. It’s just better to be willing to give more than you ask. Over time, people will remember that. Lastly, it is easy to get so busy and forget to reach out to people, but it is important to stay in contact with your best connectors. Simply connecting with them on social media will keep you and them engaged.
Conclusion: Networking opens up opportunities that you may not have been able to find on your own. The connections you make can be very important down the road in your career. Finally, networking is not just something you start and finish, you are always networking and constantly looking for more people to connect with throughout your career. You never know when that one connection will result in a big deal!
Guest Speaker: Joe Mindak, The Connective
Joe is currently the President of The Connective, An elite community of subject matter experts, entrepreneurs, and connectors that exists to unlock access to the invaluable relationships and resources that entrepreneurs need to build, sustain and grow their businesses.
About The Host Stephen Halasnik, Financing Solutions
Stephen Halasnik is the host of the popular, Entrepreneur MBA Podcast. The Entrepreneur MBA podcast’s purpose is to help small businesses get over the $10 million per year in revenue mark. Mr. Halasnik is the Co-founder and Managing Partner of Financing Solutions. Financing Solutions is a leading provider of Lines of Credit to small businesses and nonprofits
Mr. Halasnik is a graduate of Rutgers University and has an Executive Masters from the MIT Birthing of Giants Entrepreneurship program. Mr. Halasnik has started and built 6 companies over 25+ years with 2 of those businesses making the Inc 500/5000 fastest-growing list. Mr. Halasnik is a best-selling Amazon author on business and regularly tweets about his ideas about growing a business. You can also find Mr. Halasnik on youtube talking about Entrepreneurship.
Mr. Halasnik loves small businesses. He lives in New Jersey with his best friend, and his wife Gina. Mr. Halasnik’s number one purpose is raising his two boys, Michael and Maxwell, to be good men.
About Financing Solutions
Financing Solutions provides an easy-to-setup unsecured business line of credit to small businesses. The small business financing product is a great cash backup plan that costs nothing to set up, nothing until used, and is inexpensive when needed. Financing Solutions is rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau and 5 stars by the BBB/Google Reviews.
Unlike a traditional business bank loan, our business credit line requires no collateral or personal guarantee (except in cases of fraud) making it an excellent alternative business financing option. Small businesses often used their line of credit for short-term expenses, working capital, to make payroll, or for a business investment especially when business cash flow is temporarily down.
Get a free, no-obligation business line of credit quote by filling out our simple 2- minute business line of credit application here.
Remember: The time to set up a credit line is when you don’t need it.
Note: Financing Solutions donates 10% of its profits to various nonprofit charities