How a cup of coffe can make you rich.
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     hershy
Member
Username: hershy
Post Number: 901
Registered: 10-2002Rating: N/A
Votes: 0
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| | Saturday, October 01, 2005 - 07:09 am: |  
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COMMENT
How A Cup Of Coffee Can Make You Rich
By David Kuo (TMFDragon)
September 30, 2005 (Motley Fool UK)
Networking is often said to be an essential skill for most people. But it's especially useful for people in business or entrepreneurs. The theory behind networking is that it's not always what you know that's important in business but who you know that counts!
According to British Gas, many UK small companies are losing money by not networking. And networking needn't mean nibbling vol-au-vents at a cocktail party or quaffing spritzers at a soirée. It can be as simple as grabbing a cup of coffee at your local café.
British gas estimates that more than 50% of small businesses don't network because they fail to see its relevance. They found that one in four owners of small businesses claim they don't have the time, while others believe they already have enough customers, so what's the point.
The point is while everything may be going swimmingly today the same may not be true tomorrow. British Gas surmises that reluctance to network may help to explain why so many small companies fail during their early vital stages. (It is estimated that more than half of all new ventures in Britain close within the first three years of opening!)
So what are the various ways that you can network?
For starters, joining a trade organisation related to your particular business can be a good place to meet like-minded people. The important thing is not be afraid to share your ideas with other people in a similar line of work. Generally, you may find that the more open you are the more your counterparts will be too.
Trade shows and conferences are another place to meet people both formally and socially. For example if you are in the rag trade, then what better place to meet people on the same wavelength than at clothes shows or gift fairs? And some of Europe's biggest shows are held here in the UK.
There are also lots of networking clubs, of which First Tuesday is perhaps one of the best known. It was founded in 1998 in the Alphabet Bar in Soho when four friends brought together 80 other pals involved in creating new media businesses. It now has 30,000 members across the UK and 100,000 members worldwide.
Many expert networkers maintain that networking functions merely provides conduits to meet people, but it is what happens afterwards that really matters. After all, you are there to meet people, not to hawk your wares a la Del Boy Trotter. After you have met a handful of people of people with whom you have developed a good rapport, follow up afterwards to arrange a time to meet up for coffee. That is the time to explore in more detail possible win/win situations where both you and your new-found friend can benefit.
Efficient networkers often stress that networking is not about achieving instant gratification but making contacts that can help you in your day-to-day life instead. So get working at networking, and what better place to start than at a Fool Social Event, which are held in London and elsewhere.
(Message edited by Hershy on October 01, 2005)
The road to success is usually under construction.
http://members.optusnet.com.au/~hershy/
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swing_trader
Member
Username: swing_trader
Post Number: 30
Registered: 06-2004Rating: N/A
Votes: 0
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| | Monday, December 12, 2005 - 08:33 am: |
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totally agree!
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