The Real Story on Networking Groups

"Aren't most networking groups just people like me who are trying to build up a new business?" When you go to a presentation or a seminar on networking, you might get that impression, because the people you meet are there to learn something new, so they tend to be younger folks.  But if you go to a regular networking event or join a networking organisation, you'll soon see that many of the people there tend to be older, established businesspeople. In the typical business networking group, the members range in age from the 20s through the 60s, with two-thirds of them are over 40.  There's a good reason for this. It's usually the seasoned pros who have recognised and learned to use the benefits of networking to bolster their business. Many have used networking throughout the life of their business and are fully aware of the competitive advantage it offers.  Older networkers often serve as mentors for younger businesspeople, which can be an enormous advantage to someone who is new to the art and science of networking. The best networking groups are the ones whose membership is diverse in many ways. That is, it will have not only older and younger members but also a good balance of men and women, a mixture of races and ethnicities that is representative of the community, and a wide variety of professions and specialties.  Such a group offers the best opportunities to get referrals from outside your immediate circle of acquaintances and experience--which puts you on the fast track to expanding your business. Thanks to Dr Ivan Misner, Founder & Chairman of BNI. www.bnisydneyinnerwest.com.au