You're never too busy to network - four reasons why

‘I’m too busy to network.’ 

It’s a sentence we’ve all heard (or said), and when you’ve got lots going on in your business, it can be hard to dedicate time to networking. But being busy is often a sign that you’ve already been busy networking.

Networking is all about consistency – the most successful networkers do it all year round. As well as being a great tool for your business to meet potential clients, collaborators and referrers, networking can be just as valuable for learning, getting inspired to try something new in your business, and keeping tabs on what’s going on in the city.

So, why put the brakes on networking when you’re busy? That’s when you need networking the most.

With that in mind, here are my four reasons to book your next networking event, even when you don’t think you have the time – along with some tips and advice from Chamber members to help convince you.  

1. Think beyond your business' immediate priorities

You wouldn’t stop marketing your business because you’re busy. What happens when those projects you’re working on come to an end? Where’s your next client coming from? The diary might free up a little and you think, time to do some networking!

Even when the pipeline is healthy, consistent networking can help maintain your business profile, your workflow, and help with motivation. Sam Knowles from Insight Agents always gets some networking in the diary right before a deadline:

“To keep a consultancy sustainable - indeed to grow its reach and impact - it’s vital to never turn the networking off. I live by a rule that even when I’m at my busiest and in full-on delivery mode, I always schedule another coffee, walk, or drink with a prospect or collaborator. First, it makes me beat and often smash a deadline. And second, who knows where that conversation may take you?" 

2. Keep up-to-date with what's happening in the city

If you’re busy, odds are your clients are too. Networking can be an invaluable source of information to find out what’s going on in the city - plus, it makes you feel like part of a business community. And, in our recent membership survey, 70% of members said being a member has helped them find out what’s happening in Brighton & Hove.

Use that information for new ideas to work on your business (rather than in it), and help inform conversations with your clients – whether that’s offering advice, insights, or helping to build your trust and credibility.

James Phillips, Partner at Galloways says it’s easy to avoid networking: “We convince ourselves we can afford to miss it because we’re too busy. But, networking is like going to the gym - you don’t really want to go, but afterwards you’re happy you did. I remind myself of this when making key decisions about how I spend my time – including ways to find out what’s going on in the city to inform my business and my clients. Spending time on your business is just, if not more important than working in your business.”

And, just like the gym (thanks James for the analogy), networking is much harder to start up again when you’re out of the habit.  

3. Build and nurture business relationships

This one may sound obvious. Networking is all about building and maintaining relationships (sometimes, even making business friends!) It helps you future proof your business by maintaining a healthy network of contacts.

If you’re meeting people, building relationships to find people to work or collaborate with, you’ll naturally build that list of trusted contacts - people you can refer to if someone says: ‘Do you know someone who could help with...?’

This works both ways. If you drop off networking, although your referral list stays the same, you might have dropped off someone else’s. It goes back to thinking beyond your business’ immediate priorities, growing those warm leads for your business. Plus, you never know who you might meet at the right time!

Jane Lavery from Adept OH said: "I was open-minded about networking and met some really interesting people at a Chamber event. Afterwards, I was invited to meet a member who found me from the attendee list. We’re now working together, and it’s a great fit for both of us. Networking can be very powerful, and it’s not always about the initial discussions you have - it’s about continuing to build awareness of your skills in the wider business community.” 

4. Ideas, inspiration and insight

When you’re busy, it can be hard to find the headspace to think of new ideas, be creative – but some of the best ideas come when you’re not working.

Networking isn’t just a tool to get new business. You can connect, meeting people who might have a different perspective to your own, learning from them and getting new ideas.

Susi Owusu, Head of Partnerships and Philanthropy at Martlets uses networking as a tool to meet people, and get inspired with new ideas:

“As Brene Brown says we are all hard wired for connection. That’s why walking into a room to network is always a little daunting. But I always come away with a new idea, or story someone has told. And that’s the joy, meeting people who have a different perspective and can help inspire you, shift how you see or think about things.” 

So, what are you waiting for? 

There you have it, my four reasons to network when you’re busy. Hopefully this will have inspired some of you busy bees to get your networking hat on – whether that’s to motivate you to beat a deadline, learn something new, or build relationships.

You can find all our upcoming events on our events page. There’s plenty to choose from, but you don’t have to come to everything (I'd recommend 1-2 things a month).

We hope to see you at an event soon!

PS – if you need some tips for effective networking, check out Amy’s five tips for successful networking.  

Hannah Jackson is Membership & Marketing Manager at Brighton Chamber. 

If you’d like to find out more about how to use your membership, raise your business profile, or want a recommendation on what event to come along to, get in touch: hannah@brightonchamber.co.uk.  

Photo by Stuart Robinson, University of Sussex.

If you want to contribute to the Chamber blog, contact us on hannah@brightonchamber.co.uk