About ASBA
The Arizona Small Business Association (ASBA) fosters and empowers a thriving small-business community by working diligently to advocate for legislation and regulation that supports a probusiness environment while eliminating legislation that threatens small business.
Networking Your Small Business
by Jodi Towns, ASBA Director of Partnership Development, and Founder of Networking for Healthcare & HealthNow Expo Arizona & Texas
ASBA brings relevant and dynamic
You may have the most lucrative product or
opportunity to share in-depth details about
education and mentoring opportunities
service, but how do you move from no one
your business and share what type of
to business owners to improve their
knowing about it to achieving great success
connections you are looking for.
business knowledge, solve problems and,
in business? Networking for your small
The old adage “It’s not what you know,
ultimately, become more successful. We
business is an integral part of marketing
but who you know” is absolutely true when
accomplish this by offering our members
and promoting what you offer. Networking
it comes to building a successful business
valuable programs, undying commitment
is the next step of branching outside of the
through networking. To grow your small
to their success, and the convenience and
office, meeting new people and forming
business quickly, you will need to have a
efficiency of our products and services.
new relationships. Networking can be
strong source of relevant connections in
a cost-effective way to find meaningful
your network whom you can call on when
connections for you and your business.
you need them. Networking can open the
ASBA is on the cutting edge of what is happening RIGHT NOW in the business community. From education
Not all networking for your small
door to talk to highly influential people you
and advocacy to resources, mentoring
business is the same. There are varying
wouldn’t otherwise be able to easily talk to
and meaningful partnerships, we engage
types of networking events. Some
or find.
our members with relevant interactions
events consist of open networking, which
at every touchpoint. By staying on top of
allows attendees to mingle and have
daunting. When planning out your calendar
current trends, we ensure the tools we
conversations. It is important in open
for networking events, especially ones you
offer, as well as the extensive breadth
networking events that you don’t do all
are trying for the first time, think ahead
of insights delivered, are valuable to
the talking. To learn more about other
of who you are trying to connect with.
the businesses we represent while
attendees’ businesses, ask more questions
Meeting every single member in the room
significantly boosting the organic growth
before you share about yourself. Active
is not manageable, especially at an open
of our membership base.
listening and asking questions tells the
networking event. Walking away with two
Find ASBA on Facebook: www.facebook.com/AZSmallBIZ
other person you’re engaged in what they
or three new strong connections is far more
have to say. Forming a relationship is more
valuable. To continue to grow relationships,
valuable than exchanging business cards
plan to follow up with all new connections
when networking.
immediately. Send an email, call them and,
Central Arizona 11811 N. Tatum Blvd., Suite P-195 Phoenix, AZ 85028 p. 602.306.4000 © 2018 ASBA. A publication of the Arizona Small Business Association. For more information or to join ASBA, please contact us at www.asba.com. Section designed by the Arizona Small Business Association.
There are more organized networking
Attending a new networking group can be
potentially, set up another time to continue
groups, often called leads or referral
the conversation. To be successful with
groups. These groups tend to meet often,
networking, connections must be mutually
usually weekly, and are more structured.
beneficial. Be reciprocal by introducing your
These groups include an agenda and
new connection to your network.
introductions of each member’s business.
Finding the right networking group
Often these groups emphasize active
requires commitment. Start your new
participation by setting requirements for
year right by attending a new networking
all members to continually pass along
group each week for the next month. Allow
business leads. Some networking groups
yourself time to find the networking group
also have a business spotlight, which
that works best for you and your business.
highlights a member’s business for that
Once you find that right network, the growth
week. Utilizing this spotlight, it is a perfect
of your business is sure to come.
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