Mentoring and networking
Other people matter. Even if you're the sole owner of your business, your customers are all online, and you don't have any employees, you can't succeed on your own. You don't know everything, and the experience of others can help you avoid a mountain of mistakes. You'll need to spread the word about your business somehow once you hang out your shingle. Plus, when you're having a bad day and you're ready to throw your dream into your brand-new document shredder, you'll need someone to talk you out of it.
But, if you've always been an employee, or if you've been at home with children for several years, your contact list might need a little work. Fortunately, if you're willing to step out of your comfort zone, you'll find there are plenty of resources to help you.
Successful people usually recognize that they didn't get there alone. They're often eager to help other people the way that so many reached out to help them. The trick is, of course, to find them.
If you feel like the only people you know are Dora or Barney fans, you can start with organizations.The SBA, for example, has a list of some government-sponsored mentor organizations (such as SCORE) and some tips for finding and working with mentors. You could find out about your local Chamber of Commerce--some of these also have women-specific resources, such as the Women's Business Center at the Salt Lake Chamber. Look for the Chamber of Commerce on your city's or county's website. In many areas, you can find women's business networking groups (check Google if you aren't sure where to find those where you live). Don't forget about alumni groups at your alma mater or associations at current or past employers. There are less obvious places to meet people--your children's friends' parents, your children's school, your spouse's work party...the list goes on.
Once you figure out where people gather, you may find yourself flummoxed about what to say to them. This can be especially nerve-wracking if you're shy, introverted, or out of practice. Mentoring and networking are all about relationships. That can be hard to remember when you're preoccupied with the impression you're making or with the next plug-your-business opportunity.
Here are a few tips I borrowed from Keith Ferrazzi's Never Eat Alone (Currency/Doubleday):
But, if you've always been an employee, or if you've been at home with children for several years, your contact list might need a little work. Fortunately, if you're willing to step out of your comfort zone, you'll find there are plenty of resources to help you.
Successful people usually recognize that they didn't get there alone. They're often eager to help other people the way that so many reached out to help them. The trick is, of course, to find them.
If you feel like the only people you know are Dora or Barney fans, you can start with organizations.The SBA, for example, has a list of some government-sponsored mentor organizations (such as SCORE) and some tips for finding and working with mentors. You could find out about your local Chamber of Commerce--some of these also have women-specific resources, such as the Women's Business Center at the Salt Lake Chamber. Look for the Chamber of Commerce on your city's or county's website. In many areas, you can find women's business networking groups (check Google if you aren't sure where to find those where you live). Don't forget about alumni groups at your alma mater or associations at current or past employers. There are less obvious places to meet people--your children's friends' parents, your children's school, your spouse's work party...the list goes on.
Once you figure out where people gather, you may find yourself flummoxed about what to say to them. This can be especially nerve-wracking if you're shy, introverted, or out of practice. Mentoring and networking are all about relationships. That can be hard to remember when you're preoccupied with the impression you're making or with the next plug-your-business opportunity.
Here are a few tips I borrowed from Keith Ferrazzi's Never Eat Alone (Currency/Doubleday):
- Networking is about helping other people be more successful.
- Reach out to others whom you are in a position to help.
- Be willing to accept generosity from others.
- Have clear goals in mind.
- Start building your network before you need it.
- Learn about the people you're trying to contact before contacting them.
- Learn to listen.
- Solve as many problems as possible by bringing people in your network together.
- Be honest and transparent.
- Don't be intimidated by people whose accomplishments are more impressive than yours.
- Stay in touch with people in your network as much as possible. Remember their birthdays.
- Relationship-building is more valuable to your success than any other skill.
