Networking

I having posted in over a month and I don't even have a good enough excuse as to why I haven't done so. I have been busy is just not good enough as I am always busy and it just requires me setting aside time to do the things which matter. I am learning so much about business and how juggling, especially at this early stage, is one of the techniques to master.
Yesterday, I went on a fantastic marketing course put on by Business Link in London. It was also a wonderful place to meet different types of people some who have already started trading and who have been trading for a while and others who are just at the ideas stage. As you get to talking to people you realise that you are the same in some things and different in others. Funnily, I have never met anyone who wants to do the same thing I want to do since I have been going on these courses.
One of the things I learnt at this course was the importance of networking. Your success or failure in life and business can be influenced by who you choose to associate yourself with. When we talk about networking people suddenly think of the best way to meet customers. But networking events can also be good places to meet suppliers, new friends or just someone who can lead you into another business. Talking to some of the people at this course, I realised that there a few other businesses I could try and get into once I have got this one up and running.
I also learnt yesterday to make use of all these email addresses I get. I work with a couple of charities as a volunteer and I know that some of these people I have met will be able and willing to either give their time or effort to these charities.
I used to think that networking was a cheesy thing but I am learning that networking is a useful thing and the more you go to these events, the better. One caveat - there are now a number of organistaions that charge you to go to these networking events. Go easy, if you are a start up with very little money. Business Link and GLE oneLondon and people like that will bring you together with even more contacts for free. Try them first.

Amiex