As an entrepreneur, I am always open to making new contacts. Whether this is locally at my son's football club or at a business networking event. I do not do this primarily because it might give me a new assignment, but I do this mainly because I want to learn from fellow entrepreneurs, in whatever sector. That is why I have been an active member of two business associations for years and I even held a board position for four years.
I also regularly visit networking drinks, sometimes combined with a dinner. Yet the challenge always remains. How do I get this organised with my busy schedule! Who will look after me tonight and is such a 'one-night-stand-networking drink or dinner' of added value to me?
When I then, through a traditional networking dinner, come into contact with an innovative entrepreneur who offers me the opportunity to network from my office or living room, I am glad that I live in this day and age. By combining modern techniques such as online 'video calling' with an extensive innovative internet platform, networking 3.0 becomes possible. Cozy offline networking drinks at beautiful locations are now combined by me with weekly online networking meetings from my office and sometimes even from my couch in the living room. Stress-free networking!
LinkedIn
LinkedIn is one of the forerunners of hong kong mobile number format online networking, because with LinkedIn you build your omnichannel network. I believe in the power of knowing each other and really doing your best to be an ambassador for the other. Repeatedly and personally making an effort for the other, that's what networking is all about! That's why I actively use LinkedIn.
For me it is more than the digital business card archive! Because let's be honest. Isn't that how LinkedIn is mainly used? The real networking possibilities are not used by many. How often do you actively respond to an online call and tag someone in a message? When was the last time you
LinkedIn has become a business standard. People meet face-to-face and exchange business cards. After that, the business cards are converted into LinkedIn requests. In this way, people stay informed about what the other person is doing. The real networking only starts after this.
What can you do for your contacts?
Share calls or queries that are of interest to your industry and/or contact. Add a personal note as to why it is important to you.
Use your contacts as a sounding board for new ideas. Ask for their opinion or practical experience when you want to launch something new or spar when you are working on your product development. There is nothing as valuable as feedback and practical experience, information from the source. You can ask for a response online, but you can also test.