In business Networking is the process of establishing mutually beneficial relationships with other business people and potential customers. Usually the main purpose of business networking is to tell others about your business and hopefully turn them into customers. It is also another opportunity to gain new knowledge and learn about things you might probably have an idea about. Sometimes you get solutions to problems that have been haunting you through networking . As a Mompreneur networking can be great for you if you are looking at growing your own business. Currently networking events seem to be catching on with professionals and especially new business owners everywhere.
As a Mompreneur you join a networking group for motivation, to share from the experiences of others, to get more people to know about what you do and most importantly to have some fun. When joining its essential to research and identify group that fits what you need and where you can also offer something valuable.
Check out these benefits I listed and I have enjoyed through networking ;
1. Finding clients who are in urgent need of my products and services : Even before I launched my businesses officially , I had clients who were ready and willing to patronize my services. Networking gave me the opportunity to interact with people who coincidentally needed my services once we were introduced to each other and they got know what I offer. When you are just starting off in business, finding the fright network can be a good source to earn your first revenue.
2. Meeting people that share similar purpose : Through networking I have joined amazing groups that I share similar distinct purposes with for each of the distinct groups. Some groups are the place to go for marketing. Some groups are the place to go for advise, Other are the place to go if you want to be updated with news in the technology industry and some groups . Finding a network with similar purposes helps you to promote your business in a constructive way.
3. Getting into contact with people I never imagined : Through networking I have met and had the opportunity to interact with amazing women who I look up to and use to learn from them form a distance. Through great networks I have met people I likely would have never met in my life and people who have influenced my business in a positive way. Without networking I would never have tapped into some useful resources from very experienced entrepreneurs.
4. Building your brand in an effective way : You are your own brand and your reputation is everything. Joining a network is a great way to build your brand. You have the opportunity of coming into with an audience and let them get to know you and what you do in a personal way. It helps you build a brand that people can trust.
5. Learning more and getting solutions to some common problems : Networking provides a platform to learn from people with expertise in the various business areas. We cannot know and have it all. Through networking groups we get in touch with people who are able to help us solve some problems or advise us on some best business practices. We also get the opportunity to share the knowledge or expertise we have with others.
Mary Dickson
Mary Dickson is a versatile professional with over a decade of experience driving innovation at the intersection of technology, marketing, and female empowerment. She is currently the Business Development Manager at GP Business Consulting serving as Lead Consultant with CBI -Netherlands Enterprises Agency. With a background in marketing she’s worked in different roles cutting across HR, Sales, Business Development and Marketing over the past 14 years in the Tech space. She has a keen interest in Digital marketing especially social media and has spearheaded over 50 training programs geared towards training women led business owners and young girls, equipping them with digital and simple tech skills. She has also consulted for companies and institutions across sectors, helping them optimize content, creation, ad management, customer engagement, and automation. She is the powerhouse behind the WeMompreneurs community, which supports mothers in business through training, networking, consultancy in digital tools. Mary is the co-author The Fruit of the Spirit (a children's book). She holds a BSc.Management with Computing and a MSc. Strategic Management and Leadership. She is the Vice Chair , Women’s Affairs of the Ghana Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs and a member of the Advisory Board of Prime HER ( NGO)