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Real Estate Business Networking Community
Business Networking has long been cited as an effective means of making new business contacts and as a way to expand your customer base.
Now there’s a new twist to this longtime career tool—NetWeaving, a rather simple concept focused on more effectively developing reciprocal business relationships that has far-reaching potential.
A tweak on the traditional approach
In a traditional networking approach, you go to a meeting or function with the idea of trying to gain strategic alliances that help boost your business. In other words, the mindset is, “What’s in it for me?” It’s an effective means of making new contacts and developing business relations that can be very beneficial for anyone.
NetWeaving takes a slightly different approach and one I find more comfortable. The term was coined by Bob Littell, a consultant who focuses on strategic marketing, product design, development, and implementation issues within the financial services industry. Rather than going to the “party” to learn what you can that might lead to new business, you attend with the intent of learning all you can from as many people as possible about their business, their needs, and their challenges. The objective is to try to help as many people as you can. The help or insight you provide may be putting them in touch with someone you know or sharing insight that can help the other person.
A more relaxed approach
One reason NetWeaving catches attention is that it’s a more relaxed, human approach to networking. I can’t be the only one who is uncomfortable going to an event and trying to “work the room” to seek opportunities. It's much more comfortable, and even fun, to strike up a conversation with someone if I have a genuine interest in learning about what they do and looking for ways that my knowledge, experience, and immediate network might benefit them.
NetWeaving recognizes that all of us are really "walking, talking, jigsaw puzzles" with pieces missing in the form of:
- Problems that need solving.
- Needs that need fulfilling.
- Opportunities or ideas that, without someone else's help (advice, support, money, etc.), may never reach full potential.
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