Making Business Networks Work

A component of really enjoying your work has to do with the people in your business network. Look closely at any truly successful business and it's a fair bet you'll find the person at the top is keeping very good company.

By surrounding yourself with individuals who share your values and beliefs and who understand and admire the fundamentals of your business, you'll have little choice but to be constantly immersed in the excitement of opportunity.

It's like going to a seminar and coming away all fired up and inspired. The chances are you've not heard anything particularly new, it's more that you've heard someone or something that really registers with you - it's like you've been plugged into a revolutionary new network.

A meeting of like minds - motivated people pursuing similar goals and paths - is so captivating it's a wonder anyone goes back to their desk to do any work.

Alas many business owners miss this point and confuse a network with networking. Creating a network is about singling people out and luring them into a focused forum - one where topics of mutual benefit are explored. Certainly the members of your ideal network can be enlisted from your swag of acquaintances, but you must be very clear on who you are looking for.

Think of yourself as the head selector, who would be on your team and why?

Recently I heard finance guru Robert Kiyosaki talk on his attitude towards conversations about money. Kiyosaki loves money and he clearly loves his business. When considering his own financial activities he simply will not waste time speaking with anyone who isn't financially educated. His business is investing and at his level, you either get it or you don't.

Now, you may be thinking that while Mr Kiyosaki has investing, you do not have a business with a clear, singular focus and therefore it's much harder for you to create an ideal network. Well, sorry but I can't let you get away with that.

I have yet to see a business that wouldn't benefit hugely if the person at the top could manage to maintain one clear focus.

The truth is, holding a singular focus for any length of time is not a skill many entrepreneurs possess and it's frankly far too common to see focus diverted by routine day-to-day activities or a fickle change of thinking.  In my humble opinion, failure to keep on a path is the greatest threat to maintaining a love for your work.

Your focus may be towards financial planning; it may be towards marketing; or it may be towards building great teams. Whatever the key focus, you should have alongside you a network of people who inspire and challenge.

So with whom are you going to start hanging out?