A Local Business Network Is Great, But Don't Overlook Online Networks Either!I've been part of a local business network where I live and the company is called "BizSwap" and what they do is educate business people and entreprenuers with a professional development program. I've found it to be a very exciting and rewarding experience, mainly due to working on my own most of the time, the relationships you develop from local networking are extremely worth while. The type of things we learn at BizSwap are all based around many different areas of business, we also have keynote speakers and a 5 minute spot for those who want to try and speak, but not talk too long to begin with, so they build up their confidence.After the main meeting is over, we have 30 minute power conversation, where a small group of us stay back and help another team member out in a focus session for them. In this session they can throw any questions or concerns about their business to the group and then a brainstorm session happens. I'm so glad to be part of a local business network, and actually I'm a member of three separate groups offline, BNI (Business Network International) you've probably heard of that one, BizSwap and an online, brand new, network called SynergyBizNet.com They all have their advantages and dis-advantages, for example if you wanted to be taken by the hand and led to success through confident people who really know business, then BizSwap is the key for you. On the other hand, BNI which is one of the larget local business network groups in the world are very good for referring business to and from other members. Actually this is one of their main purposes to do, refer and recieve leads and they are somewhat more structured than Biz Swap, in the fact that they "expect" you to be there with leads every week, and I think this is a good thing, becuase a club or business without discipline or structure... We'll we know what soon happens to them don't we? Synergy Biz Net on the other hand, is a great online business network which has online resources for it's members and a very advanced interface that is extremely easy to use for promoting your business online. I know that some of those social bookmarking sites and blogs can get a bit complex, but this is about as easy as it gets and it certainly has it's advantage over a local business network, due to it's power and reach via the online world. Whichever way you decide to go, I hope you join one form of business network or another, it will be one of the smartest things you ever do. Next you need to find yourself someone who you can model off, a successful mentor or coach if you like. This will ensure you take off on the right foot and not be deluged with too many pitfalls of modern business.
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