Your network determines your net worth
I have two clients, who have recently found the courage to leave networking groups that they had been members of for a long time. When I say courage, I mean it, I had to have countless conversations with these clients to talk them through their fears of letting people down and having the bravery to make that final call.
It is really strange; as women, we can have this false sense of loyalty towards what does not work for us. Each of these clients had far outgrown these networking groups. In fact, they had both voiced their frustration, to me, when their services were requested by other members of the group, because the work was now below the value of the business that they had both created for themselves.
It is so important to surround yourself with the right people. In order to move your life and business forward, you need to have the support, inspiration and positive energy from good people. People who will enhance your life not drain from it.
It is probably the biggest piece of advice I give to clients and that is to move on. Too many people stay where they are comfortable, but most of the time, in business, comfortable holds you back. They stay where they feel loyal but loyalty does not pay the bills or grow your business.
Find a way to fly
I was sat in a cafe recently and there were a group of friends who had got together and the whole time they sat there they were bitched about their job and the people that they worked with. Over an hour and that was all they talked about, you could tell they loved it they were all having a good time but not a single element of that conversation moved their lives forward it was nothing but negative energy and small thinking.
When you run your own business when you have big goals you can’t afford to spend time with people who live off of negativity, who find pleasure in sitting around bitching, who have held themselves back because of their own fears. You have to find a tribe that will help you fly. You need to surround yourself with people who are inspired and ambitious and who want more for themselves and are understand and support your ambitions.
In business, it is important to be clever and a little selfish. I wrote a blog post, a little time ago, called 10 ways to be a bitch in business. It is not to encourage all business women to turn into raving lunatics, but I see far too many women who put nice and not wanting people to be upset with them, over the success of their own business, which almost 100% of the cases have been set up to help other people. It makes no logical sense.
I am a huge advocate of networking, growing your network and connecting others through this method. My advice, even before you start your business is to tart yourself around to as many networking meetings as you can find. However……..
How to move on
Once you have sussed out the networking scene it is time to get smart and weed out the ones that do not work for you?
Ask yourself the following questions
- Do the members want the same from their business as I do?
- Do the people in the group interest me?
- Do they bring me business or valuable contacts?
- Is the business it brings at the right price for what I charge?
- Do I leave the group feeling inspired?
- Are their people in the group I look up to and aspire to have a similar business to?
If you are answering no to any of these questions time to start to think about moving on.
The next level
So what is the next level? Networking is amazing to grow your own network but you need to find a level of networking groups that attract the right business. If they don’t really give you the inspiration and support you need to grow your business then they are not right.
There are many other options though.
- Out of town
Move away from the bubble of networking in the town you live and do business in. There is much more opportunity to be had if you venture into a city. - Mastermind Groups
Women who make the investment in their business to join a mastermind group have a different level of thinking about their business than the average suburban networking group. These groups will bring the level of like minded people you need, they will give the support, inspiration, ideas and arse kicking you need to move your business to the level of success you desire. - Events
There are so many events that you could attend that attract a different audience and a great chance to meet new people. Look to Eventbrite and see what is on. - Members Club
Make the investment in a members club. As with the same attitude as a mastermind group, those willing to invest are looking to take their business to the next level.
So if you find yourself thinking nice and putting loyalty over how you actually feel, if you find yourself feeling that attending a network group is a drag, if you find yourself internally rolling your eyes listening to the same 60 second pitches over and over again then it is time to move on and up. It is time to find that tribe to help you fly.
