The Power of People

As someone who has relocated countries twice, and about to head over to another one for a bit, I’m all too aware of how powerful professional networking can be. So many people have a real aversion to attending events or reaching out to strangers, but for any business owner, growing your connections is one of the most beneficial things you can spend time on.

Real networking is not about making sales. Meeting new people can help you find collaborators, a support network of like-minded entrepreneurs, or even a mentor. Don’t approach it thinking what you’ll get out of it, but what you could give. Maybe you end up helping someone out - this sort of thing has a wonderful way of coming back to you later through an introduction or recommendation.

Two important tips: Take time to prepare your intro, so that when you meet someone you can get across what you’re passionate about in a way that sparks their interest, without being salesy. And follow up with anyone you meet with an email soon after the event, to continue building on the relationship you started and see where it may lead!

But I think the most important of all, is don't forget to have fun.