The Most Important Business Skill Women Entrepreneurs Need to Develop
Networking. Few things will help you establish and grow your business faster than a creating a strong network.
No one person knows it all or can do it all. If you isolate yourself and your thoughts, you isolate your business as well. Having access to a variety of resources can increase your efficiency, knowledge, your business’ publicity, and your chances of succeeding.
If you are anti-social (or a work-from-home mom who cannot get out without children in tow) and do not have much face-to-face contact to build networks, you can still work on building a business network in other ways. Start by joining professional groups online, developing press releases, brochures, and other written communications.
Another great way to build networks is to simply participate in forums, e-mail discussion lists, and chat rooms that somehow relate to your business or the type of customer you want to attract.
Use personal and other social opportunities to network yourself and your business. You do not have to be aggressive or pushy, but always have a business card handy when an opportunity to promote your business presents itself.
- Forget Self-Assessment Tests: The Three Things That Really Matter
- Best Business Attitude: A refusal to quit when things get tough.
- Most Valuable Skill: Networking. Networking. Networking.
- Strongest Personality Trait: Having thick skin (being objective).
