When I had the opportunity to speak at our local co-working space, what happened reminded me about the power of networking. In the room was a group about 12 people, including an accountant, an IT project manager, a photographer, a graphic designer and market researchers – a real mix of independent businesses.
At the end of my talk, we had a really good Q and A, and discussion. What struck me was how people were answering each other’s questions and raising issues that they had been working on. It reminded me how important it is to get out and go face-to-face networking. As independent consultants, we need to get out there building networks and finding the right opportunities.
As independent consultants, we need to get out there building networks and finding the right opportunities. Click To Tweet10 reasons you need to be networking
1. To get out of the house, energise yourself and meet other humans
When you spend a lot of time alone in your home office, especially if you are an extroverted type like me, it’s crucial to go and mix with other people. We can forget how much we need that, when we’ve got a busy workload and deadlines. All the client work gets done but it’s easy to let ourselves off spending time with others. I personally always find that gives me a real boost.
2. To find a sounding board for your ideas
A lot of independents tell me what they miss most about working in a team is having a sounding board. If you’re working through something, talking through what’s in your head can help you formulate your ideas. The powerful thing we can get from networking is finding somebody to listen to our ideas and to challenge them.
3. To get fresh ideas
We’re often working around the same people and those that do similar things. Networking gives us the chance to meet people from different industries and specialisms who can bring fresh ideas into how we work and approach things.
4. To expand your knowledge
When you have a job, your employer will pay for you to go on essential trainings and flag opportunities with you. As independents we’re in charge of our own personal and professional development. This means taking responsibility for keeping our knowledge up to date. Networking can offer valuable opportunities to hear about the latest developments.
As independents we’re in charge of our own personal and professional development. Click To Tweet5. To raise your profile and get known
As independents, we’re always looking for that next opportunity. It can never hurt to be seen in the right place and to be top of somebody’s mind. If they already know you, that’s one thing, but if they haven’t seen you out and about for a while then you slip off their radar. It’s important to remind people that you’re here, and what you’re working on at the moment. You never know when somebody might be looking for somebody with your specialism.
6. To find projects and collaborators
Once you’ve raised your profile, it’s about the right time and the right opportunity of somebody discovering they need what you can offer. If you’re there in front of them at that time then you have a bigger chance of being asked to come on board with that project. You never know what other people are working on, and whether they might be looking for somebody with your skills to come in on that project.
7. To learn from others who’ve been through what you’re grappling with
I’ve been to a variety of networking groups as my business has evolved. One thing that’s been constant has been meeting people I can learn from. If I’m facing a business challenge, I’ve met somebody through networking who has been through something similar. As soon as you discuss your challenge with someone, you can begin to find the solutions and know that you’re not the only person experiencing this kind of issue.
8. To find essential service providers
As our businesses change and grow we need people to help us out. We might need somebody to outsource things that are not our core service or to hire a professional adviser. Networking can be a great way meet those people, check them out and discover how well you might work together.
9 & 10 To have fun and make new friends
Who says we can’t have some fun in our working day and meet new friends? We have things we do outside of business and friends that we meet through other activities. But if you’re a sociable kind of a person then why not bring this element into your business? You’ll enjoy your work more.
Who says we can't have some fun in our working day and meet new friends? Click To TweetTime to get back networking?
If you’re not face-to-face networking, if you haven’t been to something recently, think about getting yourself out there again. If you don’t feel that you’re going to the right events, look at what groups that might be a better fit. What’s your strategy? What do you want to achieve? What networking group can help you do that?
If you don’t see something out there that meets your needs, why not get a group of people together and start your own group? That’s what I did. I realised that while there are lots of great networking groups in Oxfordshire, there wasn’t one that’s specifically for independent consultants. So I created Oxford Independent Consultants Network.
What works for you?
I’d love to know what works for you. Use the comments below to tell me about your experiences and share any groups you go to and that you have found are great for independents.
Photo by Michał Parzuchowski on Unsplash