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Your Network in the New Year: Why Cultivating a Strong Network Is Essential for Good Business

Posted December 9, 2009 By Jean Conover |

Every business is dependent on the networks that support their cause. Clients, partners, friends and associates are integral to a successful business model. In times of growth and prosperity, it is easy to take these networks for granted and assume that those bonds will always be strong and alliances will be forever.

As we approach a new year, here are some reasons you should make some resolutions to strengthen your network:

One day, your network might need you.

Keep in touch, send cookies, write thank you notes, send a positive tweet and remember to connect often. Why? Because one day your network will need you.

In good times and bad, remember to keep in contact with those individuals that you respect and match your company’s values. Contact them when you don’t need anything just to say hello or check in. Keep your eyes open for opportunities, tips and tricks that you can pass along to them when it may help. A strong network is always working to uplift and help others in that network succeed.

One day, you might need your network.

A strong network is incredibly important when you reach a point where you need something. Once you’re at that point, it is WAY too late to start cultivating the network.

No matter how successful you are or how great your business is doing, you never know what turn of events may have you depending on your connections. Perhaps a new prospect wants a reference before working with you or you yourself have to find a new job.

Don’t forget that people will remember the good deeds you’ve done for them, and they will be more than happy to help you in return one day if you have maintained a strong relationship built on trust and mutual understanding.

Better doesn’t mean bigger.

I am a firm believer that one strong relationship is far more valuable than twenty weaker ones. This means that you don’t have to run around trying to meet everyone at your networking event and force a relationship on all of them if it’s not a good fit.

It means finding the people you naturally connect with and that make sense to get to know better. Trust your gut. Follow up with that person with whom you had a great conversation or invite that interesting luncheon speaker out for coffee to learn more about his or her business. Be good to the people that you respect and trust and they will be good to you.

So, go ahead, start early and resolve to make your network stronger in 2010! Your business will thank you!

Jean’s Top 5 Networking Resolutions: for 2010

1. Make a VIP list and check in with those VIPs on a monthly basis.
2. Always try to offer something to your network that may help them, too.
3. Follow up via email with every new contact you meet to foster the relationship.
4. Pick up the phone and connect with those contacts that you’ve lost touch with.
5. Consistently let people know what good things are happening in your world (e.g. post a tweet about a new client or a company award.)

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