Know-How from a Self-Confessed Networking Newbie [as published by BNI Ireland South & West]

I don’t think I even knew what networking was when I joined my first network at the ripe old age of twenty-two.  As a young kid on the business block, I realised it would be helpful [and quite social] to join something – I wasn’t sure why though.  Roll on a few years, and, having moved job and geographical location – I realised just the value of networking.

I joined Network Ireland, in Mayo, in 2007 – I’d just moved job, and home.  Though I’m from the West of Ireland originally, I was still totally new to my chosen hometown, and a little at odds as to where to start.  Within a matter of months, I found myself with a group of contacts – including some now long-term personal friends – and a glossary of names I could ‘look up’ if I had a query or just wanted an opinion on something.

Irish people often dispense with the notion that they’re naturally quite good at networking.  As a breed, I’m not sure where we developed this innate ability from – but we do have it, in plentiful supply.  It could be that need we have, to find the ultimate common link we may have with someone [“you’re not that John’s sister – from around the corner? He has a border collie called spot?”].  You get the gist.

Women also possess unique traits when it comes to relationship-building – which often we don’t use to our advantage [more of which on BNI Ireland’s blog] – again, neither this nor my Irish networking chops were skills I ever realised I had, or could use when I started out as a newbie networker.

Three years into my membership of Network, I started my own business.  As we all know, 2010 was a year where our economy was on the crest of the recessionary wave.  Several people thought I was barking mad.  However my network told me otherwise.  Buoyed up by their confidence in me, I felt I could really pursue my idea – and I did.  Fast-forward another three-plus years, and I can really see the value of that network – not just my colleagues at Network Ireland – but the broader business community I’ve organically [and somewhat accidentally] built.

Not only has my network created opportunities for me, including projects and clients, but it has given me ideas, knowledge and support.  Why do I think this might be the case? Well, I’ve never been afraid to put my network first – connecting people and opportunities – and seeking out new ways of supporting or helping colleagues where I see there may be a way to do so.

If these last few years of economic change have taught us anything, as business-people, it is the importance of relationships and maintaining strong connections.  Reputation and quality is everything… and having trusted colleagues to work with, refer to and collaborate with is paramount.

In my non-expert opinion,  networking is central to any successful endeavour – in business and life.  Make sure you know your network, and put those natural networking talents to work!