Know-How from a Self-Confessed Networking Newbie [as published by BNI Ireland South & West]

I don’t think I even knew what networking was when I joined my first network at the ripe old age of twenty-two.  As a young kid on the business block, I realised it would be helpful [and quite social] to join something – I wasn’t sure why though.  Roll on a few years, and, having moved job and geographical location – I realised just the value of networking.

I joined Network Ireland, in Mayo, in 2007 – I’d just moved job, and home.  Though I’m from the West of Ireland originally, I was still totally new to my chosen hometown, and a little at odds as to where to start.  Within a matter of months, I found myself with a group of contacts – including some now long-term personal friends – and a glossary of names I could ‘look up’ if I had a query or just wanted an opinion on something.

Irish people often dispense with the notion that they’re naturally quite good at networking.  As a breed, I’m not sure where we developed this innate ability from – but we do have it, in plentiful supply.  It could be that need we have, to find the ultimate common link we may have with someone [“you’re not that John’s sister – from around the corner? He has a border collie called spot?”].  You get the gist.

Women also possess unique traits when it comes to relationship-building – which often we don’t use to our advantage [more of which on BNI Ireland’s blog] – again, neither this nor my Irish networking chops were skills I ever realised I had, or could use when I started out as a newbie networker.

Three years into my membership of Network, I started my own business.  As we all know, 2010 was a year where our economy was on the crest of the recessionary wave.  Several people thought I was barking mad.  However my network told me otherwise.  Buoyed up by their confidence in me, I felt I could really pursue my idea – and I did.  Fast-forward another three-plus years, and I can really see the value of that network – not just my colleagues at Network Ireland – but the broader business community I’ve organically [and somewhat accidentally] built.

Not only has my network created opportunities for me, including projects and clients, but it has given me ideas, knowledge and support.  Why do I think this might be the case? Well, I’ve never been afraid to put my network first – connecting people and opportunities – and seeking out new ways of supporting or helping colleagues where I see there may be a way to do so.

If these last few years of economic change have taught us anything, as business-people, it is the importance of relationships and maintaining strong connections.  Reputation and quality is everything… and having trusted colleagues to work with, refer to and collaborate with is paramount.

In my non-expert opinion,  networking is central to any successful endeavour – in business and life.  Make sure you know your network, and put those natural networking talents to work!

The Crucial ‘Art’ Of Communication [as featured by @TweakYourBiz]

Hands-up, how many times have you heard the following statements in a business context: ’I didn’t know they did that?’, ‘Oh, I thought they offered that service!’… or ‘I didn’t know I was supposed to do that’, ‘wasn’t that your job?’… ‘we were never told that was the plan’.

Now I ask you this: what is the central theme linking all of these statements?

Yes, you got it: communication.

You see, communication is the oft’ forgotten yet critically important conduit for generally positive outcomes in business.  When you’re starting out, you need to communicate with your chosen or target customers and extract the knowledge only they can provide you about whether your product is good, or if it’s rubbish, why that is the case [more of which, see Eric Ries 'Lean Startup'].  Now, that’s a topic in and of itself… but you get the idea.

When we’re established, and growing – we’re constantly refining how we communicate what we offer – ensuring our messaging captures the hearts and minds of our customers.  We’re also re-evaluating how we say what we say [are we sending the right message?] and to whom.  Remember, customers change and needs change…  Technology is continually evolving, new media emerging – this also affects how we communicate.

Communication is also centrally involved in our business relationships; I read recently that more and more businesses rely on remote communication both internally and externally.  Time paucity? Possibly.  Good excuse? No.  You must talk, and talk to your people – be they customers, staff or stakeholders – regularly.

So, I hear you ask – that’s all fine and well – we get the why, but what about the how?
My view?  Good communication starts internally. You need to know what you’re about, who that matters to and why.  Values are critical.  Building a team that shares your values and understands why they are what they are makes the business of communication a far simpler task.

Most importantly, building the value of communication –  in and of itself –  into your business’s ethos will serve to further reinforce good practice.  In essence, bringing people with you is easily done by… [wait for it] communication.

Now, let’s go back to those first few statements again – and think about why they might be problematic for your organisation. Well, for one – if someone doesn’t know what you do, they’re going to have difficulty using your service or buying your products.  Think about the other challenges posed… if your team don’t understand what it is they should be doing, or more importantly why they should be doing it, that’s hardly a good thing?

Communication is a crucial – and simple – art to master.  Don’t make the mistake of assuming it will just happen in your organisation – set the right foundations for it and ensure it’s a key value which everyone operates by.

Irish Tatler | How do I become a social media influencer?

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I’m often asked if social media is a good place to connect with influencers and other key industry stakeholders.  As business people, we’re always keen to engage with just these folk as often they can be the conduit for expert opinion, knowledge and contacts.  Connecting with key influencers can raise your profile, offer opportunities to you or your business and build awareness of your business’s product or service.

My view– yes, social media is a good place to engage – but [there’s always a but!], engagement cannot just be ‘grab-and-go’.  Whether you’re using LinkedIn or Twitter, or any other social media platform – reputation and trustworthiness is critical.  In essence, don’t just set up an account and expect Richard Branson to respond to your ‘@’ messages…

Like many social media experts will tell you, being active or involved in social media is like any form of communications – and must be underpinned by a long-term strategy.  So, if engaging with key thought-leaders or world-renowned entrepreneurs is part of your strategy, then highlighting your knowledge and experience should equally be part of your strategy.  Remember: as with ‘traditional’ networking – people buy into people.  Be interesting, informative and innovative – share the values of your organisation.
As mentioned, it’s important to build a reputation – and that takes time – so be patient [and focused]! With time, you’ll start to see your online momentum build and engagement with just those key people will become quite straightforward… in fact, you might discover they’re following you!

A phrase used by BNI “Givers Gain”, is also true of the online realm and building connections - that is, observing people’s interests, views, and sharing trends, insights or new information automatically builds good relationships.  However, it’s also important to avoid bombardment.  Don’t be a gushy, insincere type either - in the main, that’s just the type of interaction that turns people off - instead, be genuine, insightful and sincere.  A final tip? It’s ok to be brave! Being gutsy in an approach to someone, with the right message - and sincerity - can pay dividends.  Just don’t be disappointed if you get a politely negative response!

The Power of Your #Network

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So January is behind us, and things feel a little less bleak [though the weather could do with a memo on that]. How has the first month of the year passed off for you?

There has been one distinct theme for mine - networking.  Now, this is something I do pretty regularly anyway - but January 2014 has been altogether different.  Firstly, I took up two new roles: one in my capacity serving on the National Executive of Network Ireland, and the other as Co-Facilitator of SWIBN.

Secondly, I was asked to join the panel of speakers for January's #DubNet - a really dynamic group - which like Network, operates on a voluntary basis.  The event was over-subscribed [no pressure] and proved to be a really fantastic experience.

On my way to Dublin for the event, I was asked to pen a piece for Irish Tatler... on the influential powers of social media and, yes, you guessed it... networking.

Hmmm.

What's so important about any of these facts, I hear you ask? Simply, that the common denominator connecting them, is also networking.

When I was asked to speak at #DubNet, I wondered what I'd talk about - I'm usually invited to contribute to panels on the basis of work-related themes or views, and this was completely different.  I gathered that the best thing I could offer, was my own personal experience of being in business, running a business and working for other businesses.

What could I say were the most important lessons I'd learned? To do something you love, and play to your strengths; to stretch yourself and inhabit a place of personal growth [yes, you've guessed it, the comfort zone doesn't apply]; and most importantly, to remember that you are the sum of those you surround yourself with. So choose wisely, and create a network which supports, develops and galvanises you.

Right, back to networking.  My invitation to speak at #DubNet happened because I am an avid fan of Twitter, a social network; working with SWIBN came about through a valued colleague, Oonagh Monahan, whom I met through networking; and I joined Network to build a network.  Tatler? Also networking.

Oh, and SWIBN's first speaker for 2014 was another valued colleague, Sandra Hart of BNI, an expert on networking.

If you have become bamboozled by the over-appearance of the words 'network' and 'networking' in this post, you've missed the point.

What, in fact, you should be considering right now - is the power of YOUR network.

What Will 2014 Bring You?

TweakYourBiz

As promised... Here's my most recent dose of inspiration for the year ahead, kindly featured by TweakYourBiz.

Bon appetit! 

Happy New Year!

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Happy New Year! As we all know, a new year is a time for lots of blog posts about opportunity, change and growth... so I've written one which I'll share with you later this month! However, in the meantime, here are two from the archive.

The Time Is Now: Flex Your Ambition Muscle 

Three-Step Business New Year Resolution

Christmas Wishes!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Peaceful, Prosperous 2014!

Click here to read my Christmas Newsletter.

Best wishes,

Olwen