How Networking Can Benefit You

If you’ve spent any time in the business world, or really in a professional community of any kind, you have hear people extolling the virtues of networking. You may not feel particularly comfortable with the idea. You may feel as though networking is insincere, or fake. It might seem even a little immoral to you, the idea of speaking to others with only one’s own benefit in mind. If you are naturally an introvert, the idea might even scare you, or at the very least make you feel tired. But here are some situations in which networking is necessary.

Betsy

As a single mother, raising a son and daughter alone for the past five years, Betsy doesn’t get to spend as much time with her children as she would like. Her managerial position at a grocery store pays well, but the hours are terrible and she is at the mercy of a retail schedule. Betsy dreams of putting her love of vintage jewelry to work some day. She wants to own her own business, selling fine costume jewelry wholesale. Betsy would truly benefit from the invaluable advice of other women who have made the transition into business for themselves. Their expertise could guide Betsy as she figures out how to make this dream a reality.

Carson’s Story

Carson is 21 and a senior in college. As a graduation present, his grandmother has set aside a considerable sum of money for him. There have been many jokes in the family about Carson squandering the money like a Prodigal Son, but he has plans to act responsibly. Carson wants to invest the cash, in the hopes that it will multiply. However, he is wary of the investment process. He has heard many frightening stories of people who have lost everything in the wrong investment. He needs more than the tips he finds in the investing books he’s been reading for years. He needs to speak with his grandmother, and anyone else he knows who has real hands on experience in the world of investing.

Dennis’s Story

Dennis is 64 years old. For the past twenty years, he has been the owner of his own motorcycle repair shop. He definitely is not ready to pack in his tool belt yet, but he does have his eye on retiring some time within the next 10 years. He wants to leave the running of the business to his oldest son Trevor, but he’s not sure about the ins-and-outs of business succession planning. Dennis needs to talk with other retired family business owners to find out the steps they took to ensure a smooth transition. He needs to find the best ways to ensure the well-being of his business and his son.

These are just a few situations in which networking can be extremely helpful. Even if it does not come naturally to you, it is a very valuable skill to acquire. It helps if, instead of simply using people for their knowledge, you show genuine interest in hearing their stories. You might make a friend or two along the way.