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Often the benefit
of these relationship is to obtain information and leads to
further grow your business. Any successful relationship,
whether a personal or a business relationship, is unique to
every pair of individuals, and it evolves over time.
Effective relationship networking is all about building
those relationships and maintaining long lasting
connections with other professionals.
The Internet is an excellent vehicle for networking.
Relationships can develop in newsgroups, forums, and via
email. Though nothing really beats good old-fashioned
face-to-face networking to start the process of building a
relationship and trust, which is why industry conferences
can be so important.
Not all contacts will be useful or worth pursuing. There
will be leads that don't provide much information. Use your
judgment on whether the information and relationship is
worth spending more time on.
Relationship networking opens new doors, often it's "who
you know, not necessarily what you know".
Tip to Build Network Relationships:
1. Provide genuine assistance to others.
2. Be open-minded.
3. Remember personal details.
4. Respect cultural differences.
5. Research people and companies. Know their goals and
interests.
6. Reciprocate.
7. Introductions.
Where to Network:
So many people wear multiple hats; everyone and anyone
could possibly be a networking opportunity. However, just
like targeted search engine traffic, the more targeted the
networking the higher the chance of success. 'Targeted'
networking offers the most potential.
1. Trade associations or industry specific organization.
2. Trade shows.
3. Friends.
4. Schools.
5. Focused newsgroups and topic specific forums.
6. Customers.
7. Suppliers.
8. User groups.
Constantly refine and grow your network of relationships,
as they are valuable and need cultivating. If you are
perceived as someone who is only trying to get something
your network will likely not increase. Networking is about
building relationships and mutual interaction benefiting
both parties. Share information and help others grow their
businesses.
In many ways relationship networking and partnering
overlap, and on some occasion's relationship networking
will lead to synergistic partnering.
Partnering
Partnering is an attractive flexible way for companies to
develop new markets and additional revenue. Working
together, partners can combine strengths in critical areas.
Often a larger well-known vendor provides small vendors
with credibility, while the smaller vendor contributes
specific industry knowledge unknown to the larger vendor.
Synergistic relationships come in all shapes and sizes, but
the best relationships and partnerships are the ones that
benefit everyone. Partnering is a good way of tapping into
related customer bases. Often the partners complement each
other in such a way that they can provide a combined
solution that neither partner could deliver alone.
Expectations
In order for a relationship to work you must have a clear
understanding of both your companies and product(s)
strengths and weaknesses. By being aware of any
deficiencies, you will find partners with strengths in the
areas of your weaknesses.
1. Know what you have to offer.
2. Know what you are looking for.
3. Don't waste yours and your potential partner's time.
Different relationships/partnering that works:
1. Product bundling.
2. Newsletter exchanges.
3. Integrations.
4. Link exchanges.
5. Technology or knowledge exchange.
6. Revenue share.
7. Ad exchange.
Win/Win
Only when each partner is successful can the partnership
itself claim success. Partnerships are genuinely a win-win.
Developers, who master the art of strategic partnering and
relationship networking, will obtain long-term
profitability and success.
Final Tips
1.) Qualify sources.
2.) Adage - you are who you hang with.
3.) Not every relationship is a good one.
4.) Evaluate potential partners.
5.) Make it personal by taking the time to say thank you.
6.) Results are not always immediate.
7.) Carry business cards everywhere you go.
Being proactive and following up, you can have a network of
contacts that you will be able to access quickly when you
need them. Whether by more traditional means, such as in
person or over the Internet, personal networks are
essential for furthering your business. Relationship
networking is give and take, be sure to help others in your
quest for help.
About the Author:
Sharon Housley manages marketing for NotePage, Inc.
http://www.notepage.net a company specializing in
alphanumeric paging, SMS and wireless messaging software
solutions. Other sites by Sharon can be found at
http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com ,
http://www.rss-specifications.com and
http://www.small-business-software.net
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