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You collected business cards, nurtured business relationships, joined business networking groups, and followed up with clients and peers. You’ve worked hard to cultivate a diverse network of interesting, well-connected individuals. But what do you do with it?
Imagine walking the streets of Paris from your living room. Or picture attending a conference where you can shake hands with other attendees from the comfort of your home office. This is what visionaries expect for the future of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). For this to be possible, virtual spaces will be created in which people can move about and interact with one another.
Business networking events can be awkward. Once you shake someone’s hand and introduce yourself, what do you talk about? As an ambivert (or extroverted introvert) who has attended and facilitated countless networking events, I know that it can be difficult to make natural conversation with someone you’ve just met and make the most of that first conversation.
Networking can be tough. You have to find an event close by that fits into your schedule, then you have to put it into your calendar, choose an outfit that is appropriate, and figure out other logistics. Or, you have to reach out to people and cultivate business relationships that may or may not turn out to be profitable.
Have you ever made plans to do something new? Like booking a skydiving session? Or scheduling an appointment with a new stylist for a haircut? No matter how exciting the activity, we can feel unprepared or anxious in the time leading up to that new experience. Same goes for networking.
Sometimes, and this may come as a shock to those who know me, I don’t feel like networking. Cue the gasps! As an ambivert, there are times when I reach my socialization quota, and can’t bring myself to go to another conference or group meeting.
Finding a networking group that suits you and your business’s needs can be tricky, especially if you’re new to networking. It can sometimes feel like you’re a kid in a candy store - so many options, but which one will be the most worthwhile? T
A networking event is the best place to make new connections to bolster your business support system, but it can be intimidating to navigate. It can be hard to know what to say or what to ask people to make and fortify those connections.
We’ve covered many important networking topics, but I have yet to cover one of the important concepts of building a strong network - social capital. What is it? And how do you build it? Let’s get into it…
Building a valuable network takes a lot of time and effort. I know that I struggled with making my network the most beneficial it could be when I first started networking. Luckily, I’ve done the whole trial-and-error bit so you don’t have to!
When you were in elementary school, your English teacher probably taught you the importance of the who, what, when, where, why, and how of a story. As I’ve grown my business and my network, I’ve learned that the 5 Ws (and 1 H) are just as helpful for story writing, as they are for breaking down how to effectively achieve a Networking Mindset.
You want to start a business. That’s great! But it’s not going to be easy-breezy-cheddar-cheesy. Business startup is not a risk-free venture, so knowing what elements can help you succeed is incredibly important. Luckily, I know a thing or two about not only starting a business but making sure that it’s a successful one–– let’s explore what you’ll need to define business success on your own terms!
It’s the giving season, friends! Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah… no matter what you celebrate, the autumn/winter months are full of holidays themed around giving. I figured, since, y’know, ‘tis the season, I’d share a little about one of my favorite parts of networking: giving!
Body language isn’t something that we think about all that often. At the grocery store, I don’t worry that my eye contact with the cashier might affect our relationship moving forward–– that wouldn’t even cross my mind. But in business, body language can make or break budding connections. When you’re looking to add someone to your network, body language is crucial in establishing yourself as the powerful Queen or King you are.
We live in a world full of technology. Technology helps us be more efficient, so we work smarter, not harder. But did you know that it’s also an incredible tool for networking? I’ve done some research, and found the tech that’s going to be the most helpful and reliable for you and your business.
Small businesses are the backbone of communities. We enjoy the positive roles they play in our lives daily. But we rarely stop to consider what their impact might be. If you’re a consumer, it’s valuable to know the impact that small businesses have on your community and the importance of shopping locally.
Hey, Queen! Here’s the tea - Being a businesswoman can be difficult. Like a lot of things in life, business can be tricky! Not everything goes our way 24/7. But, I’ve learned one thing that works to help achieve business success. And here it is: Think like a businesswoman.
Networking can be intimidating. When I started my networking journey, I often wondered how I could improve my networking skills. I even shared a list of networking mistakes to avoid. But the truth is that no matter where you are on your networking journey, it’s always a good idea to get a refresher or learn ways to improve.
What is the difference between a network and a community? It can be hard to tell the difference. That’s why we’ll explore how they are different. And why both are important for you and for your business.
During the 2020 COVID pandemic, we had to move our networking online. We attended panels and other events on Zoom. Set up phone calls with potential connections. Contacted people on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, or other social media platforms. It was amazing that we still had the option to…
Women are powerful. You know this, I know this. And it must be said: women are powerful. We’re lucky to be living in a time where women are able to showcase their power and build our Queendoms from it. Business is no exception. In 2019 alone, there were 11.6 million women-owned businesses that generated over $1.7 trillion in sales. So, why do women excel in business?
Stanford Researcher and Psychologist, Carol Dweck, wrote a book titled “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” where she presents over twenty years of research and reflections into the power of changing your conscious and subconscious beliefs to achieve significant personal growth. To understand how a growth mindset can help you in business, let’s first explore its opposite.
Networking can be intimidating if you don’t have much experience. Maybe you’ve gone to a couple of events and mostly kept to yourself. Or you are learning what networking is and how to do it. No matter where you are in your networking journey, it can be challenging and awkward. But, don’t worry, because I’ve compiled nine of my best tips to help you network with confidence.
Networking is one of the best ways to grow your business or advance your career. When you build a strong network, it opens you up to new ways of thinking and opportunities for growth. But if you’re not quite sure that prioritizing networking will pay off, keep reading to understand why it is so crucial to your career success.
What even is networking? Believe it or not, you do it all the time. Like I always say, “ABC - Always Be Connecting.” When you talk to friends, family, coworkers, anyone, about business, you’re networking.
Networking is a skill that needs fine-tuning. It’s not about having a drink and chatting with someone. Or handing out business cards without following up. It’s about meeting people and building relationships that will be mutually beneficial for everyone. But there are some mistakes you could be making that might be keeping you from maximizing your networking efforts.
Businesses don’t grow all on their own. They need strong connections to the community and other businesses to level up. How do you do get there? Through networking. A lot of emphasis is placed on social media networks, and they work. But you need more than digital connections to level up your business.
Want to start a company that would benefit from the support of an already established business? Or are you looking to grow your business by partnering up with another company? Whatever the case may be, you can approach companies, businesses, or individuals for mutually beneficial partnerships or collaborations. But it’s important that you do it the right way.
We’ve made it through a pandemic, but everything is not quite back to how it once was. And networking is one thing that will probably be forever changed. Since we spent an entire year limiting contact with others, a lot of networking opportunities that were usually done face-to-face were moved to online platforms. This opened up opportunities for businesses, business people, and organizations that were primarily local, to expand their reach to places they might not have imagined before.
Have you ever wanted a crash course in my best networking tips? Well, you’re in luck! Here’s a quick guide on how to network like the Queen, King, or Non-Binary Royalty you are: