Connecting With Entrepreneurs In Your Own Backyard
The Internet is great for entrepreneurs – we’re able to connect with so many peers, and easily. We can read amazing content from hugely successful entrepreneurs and business moguls. We can chat, exchange ideas, brainstorm and grow our networks exponentially.
But what are you doing in your own backyard?
One of my biggest mistakes as an entrepreneur was not doing enough local networking. My attention was focused in the US where my customer base was strongest. But over time (particularly in the last year) I realized that I had no one to rely on locally for help; very few contacts to get leads, find new vendors, brainstorm new ideas, etc.
That’s all changing now as I pay much more attention to what’s going on around me and work to connect with entrepreneurs and business people in my area.
I think it’s something we often forget when we spend so much of our time living in an online world.
So, what are you doing locally to connect with other entrepreneurs?
This past year has been the best and 2007 looks better for our business. This past year we learned of and became active in several active networking groups. One is a tech focused group, the others is an entrepreneurs forum, my wife belongs to a women’s business network, In December we joined a local business network and in 2007 we plan on joining our local chamber of commerce. Several advantages are businesses helping business and developing trusting relationship. the only time things get a little “dicey” is when your competition also comes to the same meeting. I really wish I could find a better way to network with those who do the same thing I do in order to discover our distinctives instead of feeling like you have to be so “spy vs. spy”. I’d love to be able to “talk shop” with those who are my direct competition without feeling I have to hold my cards close so much. I guess that’s the nature of business. A couple of the networking groups we are involved in don’t allow direct competitors in the same group. I love competition anyway as it forces me to think about how I can be sell my services and products as something usefully unique to my customers.
Patrick – thanks for the comment. The direct competition issue is an interesting one. I’d be curious how others handle it.
My take is that it doesn’t matter. You win some, you lose some. Entrepreneurs benefit by helping one another – it creates more opportunity, brings in more wealth, and spurs on more growth within the community.
You might not give away all your secret sauce, but competition can sometimes become allies too.
What do others think?
Actually I have thought about organizing groups of others who working in the same field but have been trying to figure out the best way to do it.
Patrick – why not a monthly meeting – a breakfast of some kind. People come if they want to. Find a way to make sure the meeting is friendly and relaxed, but geared towards networking and not just snoozing in a corner.
Greetings, from brrrr Montana. Joined here the chamber which I know I could probably be more active in :)
I find that when I go into town here to run errands, I just hobnob with the locals, talk about the bed and breakfast and what’s going on up here since we’re 15 miles out of town… the old “word of mouth” Some innkeepers in our fair state tend to be tight lipped, but our closest b&B and us refer since we have totally different target markets.
Hi Ben you hit the nail right on the head. Human factors are the reason for success. there was a report out by Benson Honig that says the common thread of successful entrepreneurs is their Network http://www.podtech.net/home/technology/1913/characteristics-of-a-successful-startup
the other common thread is every successful entrepreneur has at least 1 mentor. we are about to release a ‘mentor in a box’ e-Seminar that teaches entrepreneurs how to think like business owners and most importantly how to ask the right questions. the program will be called Ultimate Business ToolBox. Look for it in the next week or so.
Jim – thanks for the link to the great video. Looks like required viewing for every entrepreneur.
Hey Ben,
I like your message. It is SO true how easy it is to connect with peers all over the world these days (just look at how often I speak with YOU! :-) but I am recently learning how important it is to have a local network of peers and mentors who can help you learn.
It’s a good question, I’d be interested to hear what recommendations people have for improving on this…regional forums? Toastmasters groups? Where do you look for groups?
I am planning to start up a Cubicle Slaves Anonymous group (group of guys interested in getting out of their office jobs and into entrepreneurship) with a few friends here in town. Any advice?
Cody – my recommendation is to put something out there. Throw it out there, tell some friends, ask them to spread the word.
Keep it informal. I just started a Tech Entrepreneur Breakfast in Montreal – no real expectations but 30 people showed up for the first time. If there’s a need/hunger for someone people will show, and spread the word.
If you keep it easygoing and flexible then it doesn’t become a lot of work or overly complicated to run / and hand-over to others to help.
Ben, as an innkeeper, your pun didnt go unnoticed :) Cody, is there a local rotary you can tap into?
GP in Montana
Ben, thanks for the encouragement. And GP in Montanta, thank you for the recommendation.
I have a good friend who’s spent a year in France and is right now studying in Brazil through Rotary, and I;ve been interested in them for the travel related stuff. Are they a good group to get involved in for business/professional networking as well? I don’t know very much about Rotary, so any insight from you or anyone else is highly appreciated!
Thanks