Accelerating Growth Through Networking

By: Elaine Romberg
Date: 11/1/2005

All owners want their company to grow...it is the one thing all owners dream about. The phrase often heard is, "Either you go forward or backward...there is no standing still because your competition will pass you by if you are standing still," and how true this is. So, what can owners do to increase sales, decrease costs, and allow their companies to grow?

One important way to grow is through networking. Isn't it easier not to re-invent the wheel? You learn from affiliates within your network of business owners; you receive reinforcement from your business affiliates; you can "brain storm" with your business affiliates; and you know it is even possible to be motivated by the business affiliates with whom you network! Why is this? Because the synergies affect us!

Networking allows for owners and their staffs to attend conferences - such as the one coming up, April 23 - 25, 2006 in Las Vegas, NV at the Flamingo Hotel. This conference will be talking about maximizing and multiplying our business assets. This conference has also identified patterns that limit growth... and, when businesses become aware of what is holding them back, they can make adjustments and changes as necessary; thus allowing for growth. Attendees of the Networking Gala will leave with information, ideas, strategies, suggestions, and the enthusiasm needed for growth.

Networking at these types of events allows for attendees to come hear experts without having to pay for the cost of those experts to visit their offices personally. It's no secret that owners who belong to networks make more money, and recruiters who work for owners who are members of networks also make more money. This has been stated in The Fordyce Letter and is a proven fact. Why? It really is pretty simple. Those who are affiliated with a national network, open doors to unlimited opportunities not only for them, but also for their candidates; it provides clients with additional qualified candidates for consideration with the end result making them look better.

Owners who belong to networks have opportunities, or additional "benefits" of membership that may not be available to those who are not associated with a network, including:

1. Conferences and meetings that schedule trainers: It becomes affordable when a group combines their efforts and splits the costs of having seminars and training sessions that benefit the seasoned recruiter as well as the new recruiter just learning the business.

2. Interaction occurs at conferences: Many times splitplacements result after network members have attended roundtable discussions, or attended a reception at which they can talk "shop" and begin building relationships with a recruiter they have not networked with before.

3. Discounts on various services or products that are only available to network members.

4. Building relationships with recruiters who are professional, trustworthy and honest: This is, without a doubt, one of the top benefits of belonging to a network. This provides protection to the recruiter because there's the assurance that if a split occurs, they will be paid, and the assurance that other network members handle candidates professionally.

5. Opportunities to discover a variety of products and services: Attending conferences gives owners the opportunity to talk with the various vendors who have products and services, which aids in business and allows for growth. The National Networking Gala Conference will have a minimum of 20 vendors in Las Vegas...so owners can check out what's out there in the way of services and products that may enhance their business and allow for growth.

6. Training, teaching and education on a variety of topics: Vendors attending the National Networking Gala Conference will also be scheduled for training, teaching, and educational breakout sessions. Where else can you have a selection of topics from which to choose and at the same time get updated on what is out there in the marketplace in a minimum amount of time?

7. Relationships develop into friendships that can last a lifetime: Who do you think the recruiters count on when they have a job order that is urgent? Who do they contact when they need that trustworthy someone who they know can come through for them? ...They call their network affiliate!

No question about it, YOU should make a commitment to yourself now to attend the National Networking Gala, April 23- 25, 2006, at The Flamingo Hotel, Las Vegas, NV. Your company will grow as a result of attending this conference because it is designed not only to educate, but to teach and learn, to share with each other, to begin building new relationships, to inspire one another, and to "network" and allow us all to grow in our own individual businesses.

Elaine Romberg is the President of Inter-City Personnel Associates (IPA). She can be contacted at 920.720.5323, or by email at ipa@athenet.net.