Why Business Networking Training?

BUSINESS NETWORKING SKILLS TRAINING IN SOUTH AFRICA is a recent phenomenon but professionals, consultants, entrepreneurs, managers and leaders in the US, UK, Netherlands amongst other countries have enjoyed the benefit of the training for many years. Business Networking and Referral skills training is also known as Social Capital or Relationship Capital and can, if properly grasped, result in financial revenue and goodwill. Creating business relationships is essential to being successful in today’s business world. Most people are not born business networkers. They can develop the skills through education, training, the right attitude and long practice. Whether attending a business function, a meeting, making a sales call, or interacting in a business setting, it’s not who you know but who you want to know. Our training and consulting provide many of the skills in greeting people, handing out your card, asking for their cards, listening, excusing yourself, introducing yourself to others and how to ‘work a room.’ Since launching the business networking training in Cape Town, South Africa, I had the pleasure of seeing many individuals leaving the workshops more enthused, better focused, and determined to have better results and more fun.

Here are 10 good reasons why you should invest in professional business networking skills training.

1. Networking is a business development tool

In today’s highly competitive world, being a confident, effective and professional networker sets you apart from the crowd. Professionals and entrepreneurs need to know how to raise their profiles and gain credibility in their target markets and how to build and maintain relationships for long-term growth.

2. Networking is a professional competency

In every business there seems to be a few individuals who rise above the rest. Sometimes their extraordinary knowledge or skills set them apart, but in most cases the person's edge comes from a network of relationships within and outside the organisation. Employees need development in strategic networking practices to create, cultivate and capitalise on the cross-functional relationships that get things done and affect the bottom line.

3. Top executives need relationship networking skills

Top executives such as Chief Financial Officers, Chief Information Officers, Board members etc are now required to proactively create and nurture relationships to help the business to uncover the best opportunities. As top executives move further into the relationship economy, they will need to remain on top of the stakeholder or customer communications, collaboration, consensus-building, teamwork and every other aspect that contribute to the company's relationship capital.

4. Networking is the world’s best-known marketing secret

Many people are terrified of going into a room full of people to look for business – networking. Yet networking (business by referral or word-of-mouth marketing) is the most cost-effective way of getting new business.

5. Networking is a relationship-building tool for staff of government, regulatory, fundraising and non-profit organisations

Staff can be trained to create a "network-friendly” atmosphere to facilitate buy-in and compliance, build relationships with centres of influence and continue to “influence” members on the value of associations, services and products.

6. Networking is an information and intelligence gathering tool

Board meetings, conferences, exhibitions and seminars provide opportunities for people to use well-considered networking strategies to be thought leaders by finding the latest information on resources, trends and best practices.

7. Networking is a business competency for conference attendees and exhibition staff

Conference delegates need focused networking skills to take advantage of potential connections at the conference and to boost their businesses and careers. Exhibition staff must have the ability to connect with target markets.

8. Tradeshows and networking is the lifeblood of industry

Staying on the cutting edge of industry is important to all business leaders. Networking skills will enable people to meet others in the same field where a healthy exchange of ideas and methods can take place. The ability to determine research trends and corporate interests can be a vital tool in discerning where the market is heading.

9. Networking is a productive job search and career-changing skill

People can become the natural and preferred choice in the job market by using practical networking strategies.

10. Networking is the key to doing business in South Africa and elsewhere

Businesspeople need to get comfortable with and competent in building relationships in the diverse South African Society.

Edited by Karl Smith: We acknowledge various sources which enabled us to compile this list. Special acknowledgement to Anne Barber and Lynne Waymon, authors of “Make Your Contacts Count”- www.contactscount.com