My strategy for growing my business last night was to attend a networking event. Here is a story I heard about and witnessed first hand. Stephanie is a CPA and is just opening up her own private practice – about three months ago. She has always worked for larger organizations in their accounting or tax departments. When Stephanie learned of the networking event, she knew this was something she needed to do and at the same time she was scared to death of being surrounded by people she did not know.
She decided to call up Nicole who had opened up her own beauty salon in town about two years ago. From what Stephanie heard, Nicole had a great network and her beauty salon was doing well. Stephanie had lost touch with Nicole since she left the larger Beauty Salon to open her own two years ago. The conversation went something like this:
“Hello Nicky’s Beautiful Ladies, how may I help you?”
“Hi, is Nicole there, this is Stephanie”
“Hi, yes, this is Nicole.”
“Hi, Nicole, you might not remember me, I knew you from the Big Old School Beauty Shop.”
“Oh sure sweetie, two color process treatments, highlights, and the bangs in the front and long but neat everywhere else.”
“Yes, Wow.”
“So, what’s new, need an appointment?”
“Oh, no, I was just calling about a meeting tonite at 5 and…..”
“Oh, well, sorry, I am so booked every night until at least 8.”
“But, I thought you run your own business now?”
“I do and the customers want the times from 4 to 8 so I give them what they want, say, I have to run, you take care, come in and try us out some time.”
And Nicole was off the line.
Stephanie was in shock. Not certain why.
She decided to text her friend Marcia who is a nurse at General Hospital. Just a quick text to see if Marcia would go with her to the networking event. Marcia said she was done at 4 PM and would enjoy catching up with Stephanie. Marcia and Stephanie met and went to the networking event. They secured a table in the corner and enjoyed the free food and beverages and spent over two hours talking and catching up with each other.
What do you see going on in this story? Do you see the missed opportunities staring Stephanie in the face? Do you see the errors in her business networking strategy? Do you see some of yourself in this story?
*Please note personal and business names have been changed to protect their innocence.
If you are ready to create face to face networking opportunities for yourself and your team, connect with expert Business Strategist Mitch Tublin and book your strategic business breakthrough session today and create your networking strategy to grow your business.
Mitch,
Thank you for sharing this strategy with us.
Debbie
Debbie,
Go into face to face networking with a plan and eyes open. Catching up with old friends
isn’t what networking is all about.
Mitch
It is funny how things can be so obvious when you witness it but not necessarily when you experience it yourself!
Awareness is golden
Laura,
No doubt. I may have a new client in Stephanie. You are absolutely right.
Mitch
Great story to share Mitch – and unfortunately this no doubt happens far more often than not. Networking skills are totally learnable and critical in modern business!
Heidi Alexandra
Heidi,
Yes and face to face networking is really the fastest way to create your raving fan club.
Mitch
Mitch, I’ve seen this done over and over and have been guilty of it myself in the past. It always seems ‘safer’ with someone you know, but it’s all about GETTING to know new people. Thanks for the illustration, I enjoyed the story!
Lynn
Mitch, do you want to update your CommentLuv plugin? It’s below and not working for you until then.
Great parable. 😉 ♥ Katherine.
You know my dirty little secret?! Hehe…I have been guilty of the above, but networking is all about getting out of your comfort zone. Thanks for the reminder!
~ Carmen
Carmen,
Yes and you will be a natural.
Mitch