It's All About Relationships

Networking to develop new business relationships takes a lot of time and can easily fall to the bottom of your list. Your days are filled with the tasks of running your business, meeting deadlines, responding to emails, and trying to address long-term projects. Many women business owners put this off. But it's not a good idea.

Successful people know that relationships drive their business, and forging new alliances, even when we are incredibly busy, is a key ingredient to growing a business. As business consultants we know there are many ways to network, some of which require a major time investment and others that do not. Here are a few professional organizations that we recommend to women business owners to help you expand your network, build referral sources, and provide valuable support.

For example, The National Association of Women Business Owners is a great place to learn about trends in your industry, national conferences , and large-scale government initiatives designed to grow your business. The local chapter in Massachusetts hosts a number of events to help women business owners connect to increase their spheres of influence within the entrepreneurial community at large.

In addition, there are state-wide organizations that support women business owners. In Massachusetts, the State Office of Minority and Women’s Business Assistance provides a wealth of information on state policy related to your industry, state-wide initiatives, and business referral sources. Although it does not sponsor formal networking events, you can use the website to discover other women business owners to contact.

There are also dozens of local networking organizations devoted to the women small business owner. In Massachusetts, from Provincetown to Amherst, local networking organizations are often the best place to connect, share advice and expand business possibilities. The Women’s Business Network and New England Women’s Business Owners are two networking organizations designed to foster business growth by providing professional resources, educational programs, and networking opportunities for women entrepreneurs.

Online networking sites are another excellent way to make connections and grow your business.

Professional networking sites now allow us to connect virtually with women across the country. One popular site is Linkedin with over 44 million members from around the world. Most people think of Linkedin as a way to explore job opportunities. You can also use this site to network and collaborate with potential customers, referral sources, and colleagues - all from the comfort of your office at a time that works for you . Look for our future column with tips to use Linkedin most effectively.