NETWORKING is a powerful marketing tactic for any individual or business. It is necessary!
Networking is about making connections, building enduring mutually beneficial relationships and expanding your sphere of influence.
Let me share one remarkable story how networking has positively benefited me and my hair salon business.
One evening in October 2012 at a third Tuesday networking event I was introduced to Jim Munro, then a business coach with Action Coach. In conversation Jim learned I had won an award with Krem 2 the best of Spokane earlier that year. Jim asked me to share with him about my hair salon business, my vision, what steps I had taken to get where I was then, my goals, customer satisfaction, retention, keys to Sucess, and other relative information. Jim shared with me that he was looking for extraordinary businesses owners like me and felt my business was a great example of a business he was seeking to nominate for the national 2013 Business Excellence Awards with Action Coach. Of course I was honored and agreed. Jim conveyed that all the information I told him had to be factual and had to be verified to be considered for the nomination. He wanted to make sure that I had the hard numbers and facts to back up my story. A few weeks later we met at his office and Jim collectively gathered the necessary information to write the nomination. Based on my business and the 19 categories for the nomination, Jim and I mutually agreed to choose "the best service based business" category. The deadline for the nomination to be submitted was the last day of November 2012. A few weeks later I received notice that my nomination was accepted and that my business was one of finalists for the business excellence awards to be held in Las Vegas in January 2013.
http://www.aboutbradsugars.com/here-are-the-finalists-for-the-2013-americas-business-excellence-awards/
I shared the great news with my husband Mike who was slightly pessimistic regarding this award nomination and still wasn't 100% on board. I assured him it was legit and that we were going to the awards ceremony in January and he needed to get a tux. The date January 25th 2013 arrived and earlier that day Mike and I took a quick day trip to Hoover dam outside of Las Vegas. At Hoover dam there are 2 bronze statues and legend says that if you rubbed the feet of the bronze statues it would bring you good luck. So of course I rubbed the feet of the statues, said a little prayer and hoped for the best. That evening Mike and I presented for the awards ceremony at the Red Rock Hotel and Casino. The event was exceptional, in my mind it was like going to the Oscars for small business. With over 19 categories receiving awards that night covering categories Best start up business, best customer service, entrepreneur of the year, etc. In my category "the best service based business" there were 12 other companies represented which varied in different types of small businesses throughout North America and Canada. Approximately half way the awards ceremony my category came up and Brad Sugars was discussing this award category, it felt like an eternity went by! I was so nervous and I just stared at the large screen in the front of the room with all the business nominees names and logos, closed my eyes for a brief moment and kept repeating.....say my name, say my name. Then the next thing I remember Brad Sugars was actually announcing my name and the name of my business as the winner of the "best serviced based business in North America, and just like the Oscars I gave a brief acceptance speech.
https://www.prlog.org/12069139-patti-usselman-wins-business-excellence-award-at-las-vegas-gala.html
So the moral of this story and I hope you can see the underlying message I'm trying to get you to understand. Networking is a must for your business! Networking brings connections that you never knew were possible, and brings people into your life that can be a positive influence on you and your business. I am thankful I get the value in networking. Had I chosen not to attend the third Tuesday networking event in the fall of 2012,I wouldn't have had this wonderful experience to live and tell, and to share with you all of you. Business owners - what are you waiting for? Don't let someone else steal your recognition and nomination. I encourage you to get the confidence to get out there and network, then watch your business referrals grow. What do you have to loose besides growing your business? Simply put you've got a lot to gain with great opportunities and referrals. ❤️Patti Usselman
Networking is about making connections, building enduring mutually beneficial relationships and expanding your sphere of influence.
Let me share one remarkable story how networking has positively benefited me and my hair salon business.
One evening in October 2012 at a third Tuesday networking event I was introduced to Jim Munro, then a business coach with Action Coach. In conversation Jim learned I had won an award with Krem 2 the best of Spokane earlier that year. Jim asked me to share with him about my hair salon business, my vision, what steps I had taken to get where I was then, my goals, customer satisfaction, retention, keys to Sucess, and other relative information. Jim shared with me that he was looking for extraordinary businesses owners like me and felt my business was a great example of a business he was seeking to nominate for the national 2013 Business Excellence Awards with Action Coach. Of course I was honored and agreed. Jim conveyed that all the information I told him had to be factual and had to be verified to be considered for the nomination. He wanted to make sure that I had the hard numbers and facts to back up my story. A few weeks later we met at his office and Jim collectively gathered the necessary information to write the nomination. Based on my business and the 19 categories for the nomination, Jim and I mutually agreed to choose "the best service based business" category. The deadline for the nomination to be submitted was the last day of November 2012. A few weeks later I received notice that my nomination was accepted and that my business was one of finalists for the business excellence awards to be held in Las Vegas in January 2013.
http://www.aboutbradsugars.com/here-are-the-finalists-for-the-2013-americas-business-excellence-awards/
I shared the great news with my husband Mike who was slightly pessimistic regarding this award nomination and still wasn't 100% on board. I assured him it was legit and that we were going to the awards ceremony in January and he needed to get a tux. The date January 25th 2013 arrived and earlier that day Mike and I took a quick day trip to Hoover dam outside of Las Vegas. At Hoover dam there are 2 bronze statues and legend says that if you rubbed the feet of the bronze statues it would bring you good luck. So of course I rubbed the feet of the statues, said a little prayer and hoped for the best. That evening Mike and I presented for the awards ceremony at the Red Rock Hotel and Casino. The event was exceptional, in my mind it was like going to the Oscars for small business. With over 19 categories receiving awards that night covering categories Best start up business, best customer service, entrepreneur of the year, etc. In my category "the best service based business" there were 12 other companies represented which varied in different types of small businesses throughout North America and Canada. Approximately half way the awards ceremony my category came up and Brad Sugars was discussing this award category, it felt like an eternity went by! I was so nervous and I just stared at the large screen in the front of the room with all the business nominees names and logos, closed my eyes for a brief moment and kept repeating.....say my name, say my name. Then the next thing I remember Brad Sugars was actually announcing my name and the name of my business as the winner of the "best serviced based business in North America, and just like the Oscars I gave a brief acceptance speech.
https://www.prlog.org/12069139-patti-usselman-wins-business-excellence-award-at-las-vegas-gala.html
So the moral of this story and I hope you can see the underlying message I'm trying to get you to understand. Networking is a must for your business! Networking brings connections that you never knew were possible, and brings people into your life that can be a positive influence on you and your business. I am thankful I get the value in networking. Had I chosen not to attend the third Tuesday networking event in the fall of 2012,I wouldn't have had this wonderful experience to live and tell, and to share with you all of you. Business owners - what are you waiting for? Don't let someone else steal your recognition and nomination. I encourage you to get the confidence to get out there and network, then watch your business referrals grow. What do you have to loose besides growing your business? Simply put you've got a lot to gain with great opportunities and referrals. ❤️Patti Usselman