Founders Network for Growth – 15 October 2021

Coronavirus has changed the way we network but it has NOT changed our needs. So the method may be different but not the need. Its incredible how much more we can do now we are mostly virtual but it’s also incredible how much the needs are the same and more urgent than ever. On top of that, young startups are unaware of the power of ‘face to face’ interaction.

Time and again, I am shocked at how few startups make the effect to connect beyond email and Whatsapp with potential customers or partners. I am also constantly left shaking my head as they fail to realise the value of consistency. Consistency is not only showing up to work each day, or to pursue a dream but also to fining your ‘tribe’ or kin and showing up regularly to garner gravitas and trust from the network.

My Success

Forbes research by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), which clearly stated that “for 78% of startups, networking is vital for entrepreneurial success.” Sales, finding the right team, access to market, access to investment all means success. But this success needs a network. A study through Stanford also found that those university startups that had twice the size network (irrespective of the actual size) of their peers, was likely to show double the number of employees and bottom line in their startups five years down the road.

Fostering Relationships

Success comes with fostering relationships.

Sales comes with relationships.

Referrals comes with relationships.

Access to mentors comes with relationships.

Collaboration comes with relationships.

Investors comes from relationships. We all know a ‘warm’ introduction is way better than cold calling a potential investor.

Reputation comes from building relationships – with collaborators, customers.

Okay, have we made it clear? You need a network to build relationships to own success.

Virtual Networking

how does it work

Well it involves

• identifying where you show up
• making a commitment to show up consistently on the platform you identify
• Being prepared with your Linkedin profile and other means that people can connect with you.
• And seriously, no video? Whats up with that? You have to see and be seen, even if it’s virtual? This is worth a chapter all on its own.

Extroverts and Introverts

If you identify as an Introvert, you can still show up, show your face, and share your business. No need to hide as you are coming in from a professional point of view. being an introvert does not mean you are a ‘shy’ but rather circumspect about here to show up.

Extroverts like to connect and are comfortable in a more social space, and yet even in then, I see how many startups in the younger generation fail to understand this is not a space to show your knowledge, but rather a way to show your compassion, empathy and ask questions. Not a space to “show off” but to “show up”.

Introverts and extroverts alike, be authentic. Authentic to your needs, wants and what you are connecting for.

How to take Full advantage of  Digital Networking

In-person connecting and meetings are critical to your success but to make the original networking connections, online makes it quicker, faster and easier. Our networking needs to be integrative. Together with your branding, your growth can be organic and fast.

Join us

We look forward to seeing you at our next session. We had excellent feedback and Dave Betts joined our last session and gave some powerful insight into entrepreneurship.

Topics covered last session

Someone asked about books on leadership, someone asked