Who’s afraid of networking

Life is about connections. Business doesn’t happen in a vacuum; it happens between people. Networking is a key function in almost every business and career, so what keeps us from doing it? Perhaps it’s our lack of understanding of the networking process. Or maybe it’s our fears, many unfounded, about doing it just right. Here are some of the most common stumbling blocks to networking

• It’s a waste of my time—it is hard for me to believe, but there are still some people who don’t see the value of networking. After over a decade of teaching and coaching entrepreneurs I still have to point out that personal brilliance or product novelty is simply not enough to create success.
• I won’t have anything to say—that’s okay, because some of the best networkers are great listeners. Real connections are made through conversations and not through elevator speeches.
• Everyone there will be trying to sell me something—how do you know that? There are lots of reasons for networking and one of the best is creating your “team”. Networking helps business owners to find that perfect accountant, real estate agent, or PR expert. Think of all the people who are shopping and not selling and you’ll feel more confident.
• I’m too shy—you don’t have to be “the life of the party” to be a good networker. There are no rules that state you need to meet everyone in the room or be the last to leave either. That’s the great thing about networking; it’s about building relationships and not sticking to a rule book. Focus on meeting a couple of people at each event and really connecting.

 About the author: “Karen Southall Watts has been training and coaching entrepreneurs for over a decade. She teaches business courses for Bellingham Technical College.”

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Sharing space with other entrepreneurs leads to synergy

Synergy — The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects.

There’s more to shared office space than a business bargain. Not only does investing in a shared office space save you money it provides you with lots of intangible benefits. If you are going to compete in the competitive Vancouver market, you need to be at your best. An isolated entrepreneur loses his or her edge in communication skills.  It’s impossible to sell your product or ideas if you never practice the language of business.

Shared office space gives you a built in group of colleagues who can act as sounding boards and moral support.  You can do more business from a shared Vancouver office space because you are working in the heart of the business community.  Association with a group of carefully vetted tenants like those at The Network Hub gives you access to a dynamic networking group as well as their varied talents. Successful entrepreneurs need teams; the days of “wearing all the hats” are over.  A shared Vancouver office space can cut down on the time you spend searching for expertise in areas outside your core business.

The perfect partner or collaborator could be sitting at the desk next to you.

About the author: “Karen Southall Watts has been training and coaching entrepreneurs for over a decade. She teaches business courses for Bellingham Technical College.”

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Leaving the kitchen table

When should you move from your home into office space?

In the early stages of your business when you are working out of your house you can keep your costs low and spend time making absolutely sure that entrepreneurship is the path you want to take. However, most entrepreneurs wake up one day, look at the pile of files spread all over the kitchen table, and wonder if it’s time to move into real office space.

Growth is the best reason for moving into new digs. You are seeing more clients or selling more products and the cash flow is good. Expanding out of your home office and into regular office space at this time helps to solidify your growth and sets you up for the next phase of business. Getting out of your home and into a dedicated space allows you to focus clearly on the core of your business. You will find you can be more productive without the distractions of television, family interruptions and unplanned visits from well-meaning friends.

“Real” office space can provide a boost to your image and marketing efforts. If you are meeting with clients, suppliers and colleagues in a room with a view to your laundry, you are not making the best impression you could. Clients expect to talk with you without hearing your children crying or smelling your pets. Image is especially important for solo entrepreneurs; you are your brand.

Shared space situations, like business incubators, provide a way for you to have real office space and to share in amenities like reception and mail service. Entrepreneurs who use shared resources can create a more professional and polished image than they would otherwise be able to afford. An additional benefit of getting out of your home office and into regular office space is increased visibility and networking opportunities. Getting out of your house and into an office can be an important step to becoming fully integrated into the business community.

About the author: “Karen Southall Watts has been training and coaching entrepreneurs for over a decade. She teaches business courses for Bellingham Technical College.”

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Rethink Vancouver Office Space Strategies

Every year, Business in Vancouver magazine publishes their Office Leasing Guide and this year, The Network Hub was fortunate enough to be mentioned in the 2009 Office Leasing Guide. 

The recession has many small businesses in Vancouver rethink their office space strategies. Aptly titled “Pooling together: Co-working creates space options for small businesses” on page 31 of Office Leasing Guide 2009, Peter Mitham explores the different options for small businesses in this economic downturn.

Here are highlights from the article:

“Most often downtown, you can just rent the office space but there’s no utilities, there’s no one taking when things breaks down, there’s no receptionist, nobody’s taking care of the cleaning.You have to manage everything yourself.”

At The Network Hub, “You can concentrate on your business. We’ll take care of everything else.”

Read more here….

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