Page 81 - The Magic of Tiny Business
P. 81
Part II Let Your “Why” Speak
touchpoint to our brand, each person we established a dia-
logue with was a touchpoint to their community.
“
We are communities of people,
not just consumers.
”
Trade shows and conferences are where you go to lis-
ten and learn as well as be heard. They are where the con-
nectivity of business happens, where you go to expand
relationships. The word “networking” has always held a
negative, forced connotation for me. By shifting my focus
to listening and learning, I was able to more holistically
expand my network.
It’s also important to state that sometimes there’s no
place like home for building relationships, creating fans,
and spreading influence. For years I looked outside my cir-
cles to find influencers until I woke up to see that friends
and friends of friends were whom I needed to spend time
with. The more touchpoints you make, the wider your
ideas can spread to attract business.
Listening to the Naysayers
Not everyone we connected with became an immediate
member of our tribe. You can treat the naysayers as back-
ground noise, but if you do you may miss insights that will
give you a competitive edge. Remember, they are part of
the business ecosystem too. You may not be ready for
them, or they for you, but trends change.
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