NETWORKING LESSONS FROM LAST MONTH…
Over the past 5-weeks we’ve had 5-networking events with over 208-business owners attending.
The Business League has been running business events for over 12-years.
And I still learn from other businesses and how to network better.
I wanted to take a moment to share with you 3-things I learnt in October about networking.
Lesson #1 – Collaboration is Key
Scott, The Chief Operations Officer of Burleigh Brewery said the following at our Brewers Lunch:
“A rising tide, lifts all boats”
During the Brewers Lunch we had three of the biggest and best breweries in SE QLD. They were there to share with other business owners, and together raise the awareness of the Craft Beer Industry. The Craft Beer Industry accounts for about 8% of all beer sales. The three breweries aren’t worried about competing against each other they know that they need to work together to take on the two breweries in the country.
Scott was talking about if they all work together to improve the craft brewery industry it lifts all craft breweries. Together they can make a difference.
Networking and business is like that. If you stay competing against the guy next to you, you’ll both end up fighting over the scraps. Lift each other up, collaborate and all win.
Lesson #2 – What got you here won’t get you there
During the month we were talking Leadership with our Growth Club members. During this I was sharing some experiences about my time in the Army and we talked about a heap of essentials in leading your business. One of the lessons that came out that stuck for me was:
“What got you here won’t get you there”
That is, regardless of the size of your business, the skills that got you to where your business is today, won’t get you to where you want to go.
Whether they are technical skills, your personal leadership, strategy, financial skills, systemisation skills or any other skill that your business needs to thrive. All of these skills need to change, improve, grow to get you where you want to be.
Lesson #3 – Understand your audience
During our closed door Question and Answer session that our Growth Club members got with Leina and Fleur (Fashion Business Owners who have doubled their business every year for the past 5-years) they mapped out how they had understood their audience, their customers and had leveraged that for success.
I see this time and time again, with business owners networking. As a general rule, you aren’t crystal clear on your target audience. You can know them better, go deeper. Understand what their frustrations are, what their pains are, what they really want, what they like, why they choose you. When you think you know them well enough – go DEEPER.
The better you know your audience, the better you will be able to serve them and communicate with them.
These are just three of my reflections over the past month.
I’d love to know, what have you learnt about networking and/or business in the past month?
Ed
P.S. Whenever you are ready, here’s 3 ways we can support you to Connect, Develop and Grow ..
1. Come to an Event … Obviously 😉
Our Gold Coast events are held on the first Wednesday of the Month, at Bond University. It’s been that way for almost 7 years. David told me that he has been the creator of 2 BNI Chapters before, but has seen nothing like the point of difference our events bring. Book here …
2. Join our Free Connection Hub
Join our new Facebook community, built for connecting with other high-level business folk who are all looking to grow and generate referrals. Join here ….
3. Work with our Growth Club
This private group coaching work revolves around Activating the right plans and strategies for your growth; Elevating your community, peers, skillset and mindset; and Accelerating your results to ensure you can multiply your impact. If you’d like more information or to apply for this, hit reply with the Subject line ‘GROWTH’ and we’ll be in touch.
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