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Entrepreneurial Skills

When asked about your business, don’t drone on. Be ready informal group with a page on LinkedIn or Facebook.
with a concise, clear description of what you do and the
unique value you offer. • Target “people people”—It’s especially fruitful for your
networking efforts to target “people people”—those with
• Start online—A good place to start honing your efforts is large, active networks relevant to your business, including
online. For example, you can join conversations in discussion salespeople in your industry.
forums on social media sites such as LinkedIn or a business-
related Twitter page. The Internet is a good place to practice “These people can spiral your network into huge numbers,”
your delivery and tweak it based on reactions. Orr says. “Salespeople know lots of people and will know
the people you want to meet. They’re great talkers, and their
• Join groups—You can also join business organizations and business is all based on who they know.”
attend their events. Examples include the local chamber of He suggests offering to buy them lunch as a way to break
commerce, industry groups and professional associations. the ice. “They’ll usually accept because they’re always buying
Networking is the chief purpose of many of these groups. lunch for other people.”

“It’s easy to get involved because they’re always looking for Article courtesy of BDC
new members,” Orr says. “Volunteering with the groups is an www.bdc.ca
especially good way to quickly make lots of new connections
and offer value to others.”

• Create your own group—You can further extend your
networking reach by creating your own organization related
to your business. You can start a nonprofit organization or an

“Oh, I just love
doing my taxes!”

Said No One. Ever.

Call Us for Help: 519.745.4654
Toffson Management

671B Belmont Ave W
Kitchener, ON N2M 1N8 www.tosontax.com

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Winter 2018