5 Reasons Why You Should Network September 3, 2008

Many people claim to be good at networking or say they are very involved in functions that bring others together to network, but what is really the purpose of networking and what has it accomplished for you?

This got me thinking, as a recent able minded college graduate thrown into the working world, what are some good reasons that young professionals and established business people alike should network, so here are 5 reasons why you should actually get involved in a networking group.

 Image courtesy of blog.imedexchange.com

1) To Meet People - This may seem like an obvious answer but often times when people are new to an city or to a career they complain about how they don’t know anyone, yet the simple reality is that they haven’t taken to effort to meet new people. What better way to meet people then to attend a networking event that has people there who are in the same boat.

2) To Establish Business Relationships- This is the one thing that many of us young professionals claim to do well but often times are ineffective when it comes to networking for business purposes, it usually turns into more of a social relationship. Establishing a social relationship can be just as valuable to you as an immediate business relationship, it creates trust and integrity, which are two of the most crucial business traits you can have. Don’t rush into networking as a tool for referrals, if you are able to do it right, the business aspect will come.

3) To Support Community- Many networking groups are involved in putting on community events or supporting local non-profit chapters by leveraging the ability to bring together people. If you are looking for ways to be active in the community, networking groups can often lead you to opportunities.

4) To Become a Leader- There are many opportunities within established networking groups that allow for people to take more of an active role in the group and assume a leadership position. Taking more tasks and responsibility in the group can enhance how you lead others in the work world.

5) To Have Fun- Most networking groups are not created to be boring, uneventful and uninteresting, the purpose is to meet others, enhance relationships and establish yourself on the business scene while having a good time. I would hope that any networking function I go to is not only worthwhile but also supplies an experience that is memorable.

There are many other reasons to get involved in a networking group; whether it is an industry association, a happy hour group, a golf outing or a fundraiser, just make sure that next time you think you are “networking” think about the true value and experience it has provided you.

What are some other reasons that you think are valuable for business networking?