business events networking

Peter Chibayamombe

We form relationships for different reasons. We are social creatures by nature and so we need the approval and feedback provided by those around us. People fail to network due to ignorance, fear, lack of confidence, embarrassment and resistance to change among other reasons.

At the end, they miss out on a lot of opportunities. We should remember that networking gives people access to doors that they would not ordinarily have access to. In order to benefit from networking especially in the world of business events, one should sharpen their networking skills. This article addresses this need.

The following are some networking skills which might be helpful. The list is not exhaustive but it will definitely point you in the right direction.

Have a clear goal

It is a good idea to start your networking with a clear vision of what you want to achieve out of your efforts. As a business executive, you might be looking to widen your pool of suppliers, distributors or franchisees. Maybe as a young professional, you wish to place yourself under a mentor as you grow in your career. Perhaps you are a sales manager at your company and your objective is to add to your potential leads.

Take some time and define what you are looking for in your networking. When delegates, attendees and visitors attend conferences or confexes networking has become the norm and one can easily participate in them as a matter of routine. One is bound to make more out networking if they have a clear idea of what they are looking for and wish to achieve.

Profile your contacts

After establishing your networking goals, you need to start by assessing people within your current contact list. You’ll be amazed at the number of people you know and what they can do for you. Statistics indicate that an effective network contains at least 250 contacts.

Your current contact list is divided into two sets of people; strong ties and weak ties. Strong ties are people you talk to frequently. They probably know the same people you know. They probably have the same information you have. You do not need to put too much networking effort on these people. They are already your buddies and you can call on them at any time. Your networking efforts should focus on the weak ties.

Weak ties are those people whom you do not frequently contact but they are a bridge to a world you don’t walk in. All you need to do is to contact them a few times within a month so that you keep in touch.

Create a ‘get to know’ list

Create a ‘get to know’ list for people who are not already within your current contact book. These might be the important people in your industry or area of interest. If you are a marketer, your ‘get to know’ list might include high profile marketers like; Dr. Douglas Mamvura, Gillian Rusike, Stella Nkomo and Cynthia Jani among other respected marketers.

You also need to target advertising agencies, promotional product suppliers, social media influencers, renowned journalists and organisers of networking events. These people will help you in different ways (in accordance with your networking goals) such as mentorship, marketing and branding among others.

Make a deliberate effort of meeting new people

Make it a habit to attend networking events. You will definitely meet new people. Seminars, conferences, workshops, brand launches, luncheons, high teas are all amazing events to attend and get to meet new people. You should also consider joining social networking clubs such as the Rotary Club, Lions, athletics clubs, social soccer, gym and religious gatherings.

Do not neglect networking on social media. You can meet people who are aligned to your networking goals through Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Just acquaint yourself with how each of these platforms operates.

Invest in networking tools

You need custom made business cards branded in line with your business organisation, profession and position. This will be a great way of reminding people about your work. You also need a business card holder where you keep all the cards you collect.

If you are technologically savvy, you can create an electronic diary. Just make sure it is saved somewhere safe where you won’t lose your information. You will also need a business card holder for your own business cards that you will give at networking events. Pulling out your business card from a business card holder presents you as more organised than someone who takes out a card direct from their jacket or shirt pocket. It contributes to your personal and professional brands

Practice makes perfect

You may arm yourself with the foregoing networking tips but they don’t work unless you do. This means that in order for the tips to work for you, they have to be put to use through attending more and more business and other events which present opportunities for networking. Put differently, practice makes perfect and permanent.

Peter Chibayamombe is a Christian author who published his first book, How to unlock the blessing of God in 2010. He has also written other books namely, Contending for the Faith, Born of God, Jesus Christ: the author of our salvation and Women in Leadership. He is working on the publication of these four books. Peter does music and he has three albums under his belt.

Peter Chibayamombe

One of the main benefits of participating in business events such as conferences, confexes, corporate games of golf, meetings and workshops among others is the opportunity to network with other people in one’s industry or sector. In fact, realising the importance of networking, most business events organisers now include a business opportunities and networking slot on their programmes.

Networking opportunities assist attendees to widen their circles of business connections. This is the reason why someone said that one’s net worth is determined by their network. However, one’s network can only contribute to their net worth if they know how to network and leverage their network connections to realise business. Here are a few tips on how to do this.

Building Relationships

The most important takeaway when I look at my first book project in retrospect can be summarised in one word – relationships. The book failed to reach its potential because I just didn’t have the right relationships at that time. No matter how good you craft your art, your success is determined largely by the people within your network. These are the people who help push your work in the marketplace. In business, it is these people who spread the word about your services or products.

The Power of Synergy

In management there is a principle called creative co-operation or Synergy where “1+1=3 or more”. This means that the sum of the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. American educator, author, businessman, and keynote speaker, Stephen Covey uses and demonstrates this concept in his book, The seven habits of highly effective people. He says, “If you plant two plants close together, the roots commingle and improve the quality of the soil so that both plants will grow better than if they were separated.”

There is so much that you can achieve alone as an author, professional or businessperson. But you can achieve much more if you create synergies with people within your network. Every person you know has strengths that you can leverage for your own advantage. Someone within your network has keys to your next level of success. Every person you know knows someone who knows someone who is influential.

Know the value of people around you

I once heard someone say that you are only seven people away from meeting the President of America. I used to doubt it but I now believe that it’s true after a close friend of mine introduced me to Brian Sandoval in 2018. Sandoval is a former Governor of the State of Nevada in USA. Being a Republican and a former chairperson for all Governors in the USA, Brian is a close ally of guess who? : Donald Trump. I don’t, by any means, intend to brag but I am being as practical as best as I can. Know the value of people around you. You never know which door they can open for you.

The Power in Relationships

My biggest drawback has been my inability to create and nurture valuable relationships. In 2013, I was part of a workshop called One Young World. Thousands of young leaders from across the globe attend this prestigious workshop. I had an opportunity to have breakfast during a side meeting organised by Barclays PLC for all the 20 delegates it had sponsored to attend the workshop that year.

I sat on the same table with Anthony Jerkins (Former Barclays Bank PLC Group CEO), Maria Ramos (ABSA CEO), Paul Poleman (Unilever CEO) and Ariana Huffington (Huffington Post founder). The then Secretary General of the United Nations, the late Kofi Anan and Founder and Chairman of Virgin Airlines, Richard Branson) also attended this breakfast meeting. This was a lifetime opportunity that could have changed my whole life.

However, I failed to utilise that opportunity. I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t know how to start a conversation with an influential person at that time. I didn’t know how to present myself. I was just lost. Jerkins even asked me about my book. He asked that I email a copy to his wife Amanda and stay in touch with him. I just didn’t. I forgot to ask for her business card.

Create meaningful relationships

Your success is largely dependent on the quality of the people around you. This applies to almost every facet of life. To be the best at what you do, you need to surround yourself with people who inspire you, who motivate you, and who challenge you. If you surround yourself with ‘yes’ people, they will follow you to the grave without even challenging your decisions.

How many of your close allies have read your book or given you feedback on your company’s products and services? How many have given you feedback? How many have critiqued your work? How many have advertised your business on their social media pages? How many have spoken about your business to other people? How much value do your friends and business associate bring to you?

Of all the contacts on your phone, how many can connect you to life-changing opportunities? You need people who ask you difficult questions and provide honest feedback. You can only create such relationships and meet such people through networking. Networking is the practice of intentionally seeking out these people. Your personal network is your resource and your weapon to success.

Challenge

Let’s put everything into perspective here. How many new contacts have you established through your professional association membership? Be honest. Most of us just know two or so colleagues. We don’t make an effort to interact with each other. But the worst part is that it works to our disadvantage as authors. We limit ourselves through our inability to network and create meaningful relationships.

Imagine, how many people you can reach out to through someone on say your Whatsapp group. The key to your next level of success is in your existing groups or associations but unfortunately, you are not reaching out. I am challenging all of us to start networking and creating relationships.

Peter Chibayamombe is a Christian author who published his first book, How to unlock the blessing of God in 2010. He has also written other books namely, Contending for the Faith, Born of God, Jesus Christ: the author of our salvation and Women in Leadership. He is working on the publication of these four books. Peter does music and he has three albums under his belt.

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