Networking in non-traditional settings can be very beneficial and provide many opportunities to develop strong, lasting relationships with potential referral partners. It's all about relationships !
Networking is about building meaningful relationships and building social capital.
You are already connected with everyone you know. The question is this : how far has this relationship developed ? By reviewing it as part of the VCP process*, we can ask ourselves the following questions. Is this a visibility relationship?, in which you know yourself, but have not had any business relationships ? Is she at the credibility stage?, that is, you have had enough exchanges to establish a certain degree of mutual trust ? Or has it deepened over time to the point of profitability?, where both parties benefit from mutual benefit through assistance, to 
commercial references or other interactions ?
Meet in person to strengthen relationships
Nowadays, it's easy to lose that personal touch when so much of our communication is done electronically through emails and texts. However, The fact is that most relationships develop through one-on-one interactions and they get stronger every time we meet in person. Parties and other non-networking events are where we are most likely to see people in a social setting, and these kinds of contexts certainly lend themselves to relationship building. However, There are important things to remember when networking at any event.
Ask others : “How can I help ? »
Having a Givers Gain** attitude is the first rule to remember. We should always think : “How can I help this person? ? ». Many of us know this and try to apply it to our relationships, but we are more likely to do it instinctively with people we are in the profitability category with. How can we apply it to relationships that fall into the categories of visibility and credibility ? At a social event, we usually ask someone : " How are you ? ». What is his typical response? ? Something like : « Super, It’s going very well, thank you.”. This is an automatic response because people want to be polite and because they think no one really wants to understand their problems.. But this standard answer is usually not the whole truth. Things can always improve. There are surely ways to help. However, go into detail or let others know what's going on, is not easy, especially during a social event. The best way to find out is to avoid generalities like “How are you?” ? » and ask more specific questions.
Networking is a way of life
Many consider networking to be just another way to get clients, but if you think in terms of relationship building, a chance to help is a BIG opportunity. This help can be provided in different forms, each one as precious as the other. Your networking should look different at a chamber of commerce meeting than at a social event. In both cases, you need to make contacts, connect people with each other, helping others and building relationships. And under no circumstances actively promote your business during a non-professional event. Networking is a way of life that can be integrated into everything you do. Since one should always strive to establish meaningful relationships with other people, we should always work in a network. Business networking is about developing relationships, and ALL events, including social gatherings, family reunions and family celebrations, are all opportunities to help others.
Helping others provides an opportunity to build and strengthen relationships..
*The VCP® process describes the creation process, growth and strengthening of commercial relationships, professional and personal.
** Givers Gain® (Who gives receives), the fundamental philosophy of BNI.
For over twenty years, during their professional careers, Sylvie & Annick Miquel supports entrepreneurs, teams, heads of private or public bodies. As BNI executive directors in Reunion, BNI national directors in Mauritius, and as John Maxwell Certified Leadership Development Coaches, they want to help entrepreneurs, their families and communities.
One of the primordial notions which is at the center of their mission : “Help as many entrepreneurs and liberal professions as possible to develop their sales, thanks to our structured approach, positive and incentive marketing by recommendations.
Sylvie & Annick Miquel
BNI Executive Directors Meeting
& National Directors BNI Mauritius
+262 692 45 84 00
bnireunion@bnifrance.fr
contact@bnimauritius.mu
