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Business networking will bring customers

Useful advice on effective business networking will be provided at a seminar to be conducted by Latrobe City on Thursday 27 October.

By Latrobe City Council - 20th October 2005 - Back to News

Mainly geared towards all home-based businesses and established small businesses, the seminar will help people make smart business decisions with tips on effective networking, the art of self promotion and how to build profitable business contacts.

According to Latrobe City Invest Latrobe Investment Manager, Leo Billington, all business operators should develop a network of people to help bring more customers.

"The more people who know about someone’s business, the greater are the chances that new customers will be attracted. The seminar will teach the power of effective networking utilising professional contacts, social and sporting contacts, various associations and conferences. Gaining exposure is extremely valuable," Mr Billington explained.

"Now that home-based businesses represent about 65% of small businesses in Victoria, and growing at almost 4% a year, seminars such as this become an important marketing tool and provide a great opportunity for business operators to network," Mr Billington said.

Sue Lewis runs a home-based business specialising in book-keeping and administration services. Ms Lewis finds that networking has been the most effective and practical way to market her business since it was established in 1993.

"Word of mouth endorsement is far more cost effective, so I aim to network with those with whom I have a close affinity," Ms Lewis explained.

"When I started, there were not many book-keeping businesses around, so to help guarantee that people knew about my business, networking had to be quite strategic. I knew I could provide a service to those who could provide a service to me.

"It is self promotion and it has to be on-going. One person will talk to another, and another and it rolls on from there. I think networking is informal but you must pick the right time to network. All home-based businesses would benefit from the seminar because they do not operate necessarily from retail or commercial areas," Ms Lewis said.

"Being in the right place at the right time certainly helps, and workshops, seminars and professional contacts give these opportunities. To network effectively, be yourself, do not boast, and service the relationship long after the first meeting," Ms Lewis advised.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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