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Most people when they arrive at a networking event, gravitate to people they already know. It’s human nature, easier to stay in our comfort zone right?

You need to push yourself, especially if it doesn’t come naturally, to talk to different people that you wouldn’t normally.

No use gravitating to the same people you already know all the time unless there is a distinct advantage for that.

This might be a bit tough for some, probably many peoples, being an out of your comfort zone experience.

I’m personally not a natural networker being somewhat of an introvert.

My strength is creating systems, automation, productising, and being more behind the scenes. But we need to do what we need to do to get new business.

Ask questions. People love talking about themselves, it actually makes YOU more memorable.

Smart Actions:

1) Ask questions.

2) Talk about them more than you BUT…

3) Do tell them how you help people

• Use a recent case study they might relate to

– Offer your industry advice if it’s appropriate

On that, I was in conversation with a local business owner who was having issues around a website contact form.

I was transparent with the form software we use and recommend, they had some tech understanding so figured it’d be helpful.

That free help I offered them then translated into us doing business together to the value of over $12,000. Winner, just by being helpful.

Become an Expert Connector… Show Interest and Assist

I’m fascinated by business, and I’ve read countless stories about it over the years. I’ve heard some truly inspiring success stories. Then again, I’ve also heard some heart-rending horror tales. There are a few big mistakes which your company needs to avoid if you want the best chances of success.

Here are a few you should be checking for right now.

Don’t overthink every single move you make

The first mistake you can make as a business owner is overthinking each little move. This is natural for almost every new entrepreneur.Starting your own business is nerve-wracking, especially when you’re always reading posts like these! Determined not to fail, a lot of young new, first-time business people will question their own judgement at every turn. Often, this will only slow down the progress of your business.

Yes, you have a lot to learn. However, if you don’t approach your business with confidence, it will show up in everything you do. In your start-up phase, try to keep a proactive, positive attitude in all your big decisions and don’t sweat the small stuff. If you lack confidence in your own ideas, so will your customers and investors. Exert confidence, and it will have a positive effect on every aspect of your venture.

Don’t get overconfident

Then there’s the opposite problem; being too confident in your company or yourself and biting off more than you can chew. Okay, when your first big client comes along, it will feel fantastic. However, if you’re not ready for them, your business could grow so rapidly that the whole thing spirals into chaos.

If you start a partnership with a larger company, but don’t have fundamental things like PR and IT support, your firm could outgrow itself. It’s integral that you never enter into a deal unless you’re confident your business can accommodate all the requirements involved, no matter how great it sounds. Understand your limitations and have a reliable system for measuring progress and goals. I know baby steps might be irritating, but they’re often a lot better than the alternative!

Don’t go it alone, get advice, a mentor, advisor, coach

Finally, not seeking advice. Since you’re reading this, you’re probably not affected too much by this issue. However, reading blog posts and seeking a business mentor are too very different things. Of course, in business you can’t expect anything to be spoon-fed to you. However, if you rely too much on your own limited experience, you’ll be setting yourself up to fail.

You may already have a pretty good advisor in mind, with a respected coaching philosophy. If not, network like your life depends on it, and find as many business owners you can talk to. Try to find someone in a similar industry, but obviously avoid your competitors! Business owners are squeezed for time, but you’ll be surprised at how happy some of them are to dish out advice and guidance.

By steering clear of these mistakes, you’ll be saving you and your company a lot of “avoidable” mistakes. There’s a lot more to guaranteeing success, however, you should certainly be wary of these three pitfalls in the beginning to get started on the right foot.

If you are in the process of setting up your startup, then there is a lot that you need to consider.

All business owners ultimately want their business to be a success. However, knowing how to achieve that is something else altogether.

If you are keen for your business to do as well as possible, then this post might help you. In this post, we will look at some of the main things that you need for your business to get off to a good start. Once you can be sure that your business is up and running smoothly, it is more likely to enjoy continued success further down the line.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at what those essential qualities are.

Proper Funding

It goes without saying that no business can get going without the right capital behind it. After all, you need to spend money to make money. However, finding adequate funding for a new business can sometimes be a little tricky. If you are keen for your business to get off to a good start, then you need to ensure that you have enough money to get it going strong. Looking for funding is one of the more challenging aspects of setting up a business – but it is essential that you get it right. The most common way to secure funding is through business loans. These are usually your best bet for a new business, though they are not your only option. It might also be worth considering applying for a grant, for example.

Clear Goals

Of course, your business will have some central reason for existing. This might be that you have a certain product you think the public needs. Alternatively, you might be keen to provide a service which you have noticed seems to be lacking. Whatever your business’ main function is, you should also be sure to have smaller goals in mind. These could be sales-orientated, or they could be based on growth. As long as your business has something to aim towards, it is much more likely to succeed overall. Set yourself clear goals and make sure you actually work towards them with diligence.

A Detailed Plan

In order to achieve those goals, and beyond, you need to have a plan. Your business plan is probably one of the first things you worked on when you got started. However, it is always worth double-checking it to ensure that you have included everything you need to. After all, without a proper plan, you can’t expect your business to really take off. Take a look at your business plan and make sure it is as detailed as it can be. That way, you can be sure that your business will do well.

Customer Focus

Your business would be nothing without your customers. This is something which every business owner would do well to bear in mind. After all, your customers are the reason that your business can continue to exist. With that in mind, be sure that your business has a strong focus on the customer. Only then can you be sure of its continued success.