5 Reasons Networking is Important for Your Growing Business

At the Lake West Chamber of Commerce, we have been building a stronger economy and a better business community since 1987.  If you are new to the business world – maybe you are just starting a small business or have taken over a business that is rapidly growing – we would like to educate you on networking and why it is important for you and your business.  

The Lake of the Ozarks West Chamber of Commerce represents businesses along highway 5, and represents the cities of Laurie, Sunrise Beach, Gravois Mills, and the Greenview area. If you are a resident of the Lake of the Ozarks area and are interested in learning more about how a Lake West Chamber Membership can benefit your business, contact us at 573-374-5500.

1. Friendship and Advice

Networking with other like-minded individuals can lead to lasting friendships.  With these friendships, often comes advice for growing your business.  Friendships made in a business networking environment can lead to expanded networking opportunities, new clients, new employees, and potential job opportunities down the road.  

2. Confidence

Networking involves getting out into the community and promoting your business.  Regular networking could cause you to push yourself out of your comfort zone, by talking with many different people, and maybe even doing some public speaking.  Continuing to network could cause you to do these things more and more often, potentially increasing your confidence in yourself and in your business.   

3. Generation of Referrals

If you are partaking in networking to increase your number of referrals, the best thing about the referrals you will get is that they are for the most part pre-qualified for you and your business.  This will make reaching out to your referrals much easier for you and will increase the potential for you to make them a permanent client.  The quality of referrals from our chamber are typically of high quality, and this can help to increase the number of clients you have, and ultimately can help to grow and expand your business.

4. Opportunities

By networking, you have many other like-minded individuals that can offer you the chance to explore careers and new job opportunities.  Those within your network can often introduce you to people who could give you information or be helpful to you and your growing business. Other opportunities provided by networking could include client leads, speaking opportunities, writing opportunities, a business sale, or even a potential partnership or joint venture.  Opportunities are everywhere in the business networking world, just make sure to take up opportunities that strengthen your business goals.  

5. Connections

When building a new business, connections with others are key.  Having a strong source of relevant connections can come in handy when marketing your business or looking for information that would be helpful for your business to grow.  The people you connect with by networking are often highly influential in the business world and they are people you may not be able to connect with outside of a business networking venue.  Even if they do not have the lead or answer you are looking for, chances are they know someone who does.  Ask the right question of the right person and watch your business grow.  

Now that you have more knowledge of the benefits of networking, the Lake of the Ozarks West Chamber of Commerce invites you to join us at our next Networking Social at the Lake of the Ozarks.  The Social will be held on Tuesday, March 12th, from 5:00pm-7:00pm at Captain Ron’s Bar & Grill in Sunrise Beach, MO.  

Building a stronger economy and a better business community since 1987!

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