Are You a Strategic Networker?
Strategic networkers seem to be full of energy. They appear to grow their businesses effortlessly, constantly attracting new clients.
For many small business entrepreneurs, success often depends on their ability to focus their energy on the things that matter. Focus directs entrepreneurial energy. Without that direction, many business owners would squander their precious time doing something with little return.
However, when focusing on certain tasks but not on others, you must decide what you don't want to focus on or at least what you want to deprioritize.
And there lies the problem.
These days, seemingly everything demands immediate attention, unnecessarily burdening already lengthy to-do lists. No wonder many small business entrepreneurs feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and stressed.
Strategic networkers, on the other hand, seem to be full of energy. So much so that they appear to grow their businesses effortlessly, constantly attracting new clients. How do they do it?
Know When to Say "Yes"
Strategic networking is a mindset. It centers on knowing when to say "yes". Strategic networkers don't accept every opportunity that comes their way. Instead, they only focus on those that help them achieve their strategic business goals. These strategic goals are long-term and so important that all other objectives take a back seat. They are part of their brand compass.
Because strategic networkers know what they want to accomplish, they can devote all their energy to developing and maintaining a network of people who can help them achieve their strategic business goals.
By enlisting others to open doors for them, strategic networkers can reach the right corporate decision-makers and unlock opportunities that can significantly advance their businesses. It may take some time, but the payback can be tremendous. In that sense, strategic networkers actively shape their future. They don't wait until the future comes to them. They proactively go out and expand their networks in pursuit of their goals.
But strategic networking also has downsides. I know the following sentence may sound cold. Still, it's often the unfortunate reality: Strategic networkers tend to spend little time with people who are less likely to help them move closer to their objectives.
While strategic networking is a highly effective, time-saving, and growth-generating technique, there must be a balance. Otherwise, taken to extremes, strategic networkers can miss out on the beautiful things in life that happen when you least expect them.
