Accountability is less important to strangers.” I like this, it highlights one of the many reasons we’re meeting on a regular basis at Weeklybiz.

Accountability, acting as you say you will. Being responsible. Strong personal relationships form a great platform for business, and it’s often rewarding to spend time with those you know well. There’s less pain, we’re at ease and the conversation flows.

I’m more likely to introduce new business to someone whose business values align with my own. How about you?

I recall days working in a sales environment that was very much target oriented. If I’d been having a rough week and business was slow? I was always grateful to those who I could count on to help me out. A recommendation here and there, or even an introduction to one of their own close contacts. Someone who is now a new contact and who might help. Not now, perhaps … let’s think of the future.

Some great business happens through 3rd/4th or 5th, even 6th-degree connections.  How often DO YOU ask for help from others? What’s your answer when asked … ‘who would you recommend?’

Is it, ‘No, we don’t do that.’

Or “We can’t help, although I know someone who can.”

Are you missing an opportunity for someone else? Some who share the network still don’t have the habit of reaching out. Making themselves accountable. I know, I keep saying it ‘business is personal,’ and family does come first…. although … Some even think it’s a sign of weakness to ask for help.

To become an effective networker and trusted contact, it is important to develop the ability to look past our own needs.

To realise the true benefits of networking we need to be thinking of recommending our contacts. Sharing, asking for help on behalf of another outside of the net. Why? Because it’s called networking. 

For me, after years of developing my diary, the connections with whom I’m still in contact, would without fail, help each other out when asked. Even in today’s fractured business environment, there is a solution.

Yet there are many who believe that simply ‘being in business’ signifies success. Congratulations! It is indeed a brave first step, but for anyone starting their own enterprise …

The engine may be running in these early days, and that’s great. Although, if you haven’t a sales strategy and you overlook the importance of personal leverage … your business of today may be struggling tomorrow.

My advice after such a rant? Join a network, yes, because business is personal. Then value your contacts, to become accountable. Your fellow networkers (and your business) will thank you for it. 

‘people buy from people they know, and trust’