Networking – Creating Your Tribe

ORIGINALLY POSTED ON FORBES SEPTEMBER 16, 2013 | READ THE ORIGINAL POST

I know first-hand that entire businesses can be run online – we can create companies, friendships, relationships and just about anything in the virtual world. However, one thing we as humans all crave is a feeling of belonging and connecting with other people. Seth Godin, in his book Tribes, says “Human beings can’t help it. We need to belong. One of the most powerful survival mechanisms is to be a part of a tribe, to contribute to (and take from) a group of like-minded people.” So how do we form our own tribes in order to find our places in this world? I believe it’s through networking and I know I’m not alone in that belief.

“Belonging feels good. It bolsters confidence, pride and a sense of self. As we each engage in the practice of networking, we will be engaging in the practice of belonging.” Says Alana Muller, author of Coffee, Lunch, Coffee – A Practical Guide for Master Networking.

Networking makes some people shudder just at the thought of it. I don’t blame them, I know how difficult and daunting it can seem, especially when added on top of all of our other responsibilities. However, networking has single handedly changed my life: it’s how I met my husband, technically why I get to spend my days as CMO of Chic CEO and has opened endless doors for our company. I didn’t want to just wave a flag, shouting out why I think networking is important however, so I did some of my own research and put a query out to other entrepreneurs to find out what they think of networking. I got hundreds of emails from women across the nation who were beyond eager to share their networking tips, successes and thoughts on why it’s been monumentally important to their lives and to their businesses.

Lainie Herrera of the new LA-based startup, Scoutfit was apprehensive about networking but found that she feels most comfortable going to organized networking events – all-women networking events at that. She is not alone – at Chic CEO we hold monthly networking events for women because although we love the men in our lives and the opportunity to network with them – there can be something very special about a room full of savvy women coming together to build relationships – it becomes a tribe.

Anna Phillips, founder and CEO of Texas-based lash studio franchise, The Lash Lounge, was happy to outline some tips she uses when attending networking events. She says: “always give before you get, be a great connector and always follow up with people you connect with at the event.”

Stacy McCall, president and CEO of Memphis-based ServiceMaster by Stratos says “never turn down an opportunity to meet or share a meal with a new contact, no matter how unrelated to your business they may seem. She believes you never know what could come from that meeting – a referral, a new client or just a great friend in the business world.”

In fact, “the best networkers connect with others for long-term relationship-building, without knowledge of what, specifically, that relationship will ultimately bring to their lives.” says Muller. In her book, Coffee, Lunch, Coffee, she outlines exactly how to become a “master networker” while still maintaining a very personable disposition.

Although technology has made connecting much, much easier – connecting is not about how many contacts you have in your LinkedIn profile, it’s about genuine connections. People like to work with and refer people that they know – so I challenge you to take some time out of every day to make a new connection, make an introduction, have coffee with a new contact or attend an event. Search for your tribe and make real connections – your life and your business will both benefit greatly.