10 Things I Know About... Starting a networking group
Richard Mollin is president of Sentinel Advisory Services of Northborough, an investment advisory firm. He is a
co-organizer of MetroWest Business Networking Group, founded in September 2013.
10. Try to join an existing group. Identify and visit groups conveniently located near your business or home.
9. Don’t do it alone. Find one or two other committed people to work with you in starting the group. Good ideas and shared workloads are necessary to get a good start.
8. Build a core group. Personally invite others to join you. Focus on people in complementary professions.
7. Welcome one-person businesses. Establish attendance rules that make it possible for a one-person business to be an active member in good standing.
6. Establish clear, concise operational guidelines. It’s important that all members know and agree to operational procedures. It’s also important to be flexible and to adjust the guidelines as the group’s needs evolve.
5. Be unique. Added value comes from doing different things to benefit the members, going above and beyond what’s typically done at other networking groups.
4. Form power groups. Encourage people in complementary professions to develop joint strategies and implementation plans to build their businesses.
3. Use each other’s product or service. This is the best way to build trust in the competency of the other members and be able to make recommendations with confidence.
2. Keep membership fees low. Low fees make it easier for people to join the group and determine if it’s worth the time and effort to attend meetings and generate referrals.
1. Thrive through growth.Constantly invite new members to grow the group and broaden the base for mutual referrals.
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