Page 12 - KZN Business Sense - Vol.6 No.1

BUSINESS NETWORKING

THE WHY, THE WHAT AND THE HOW

Ross Andrew, Executive one another, or even if there is What about using the The How effort into solving their problems
Director of BNI for a complete overlap, you may experience in the room to Over the years, I have found then guess who they will want to
KwaZulu-Natal service different markets or assist you with some business that if one focuses on building deal with going forward?
geographic areas and so you mentoring and problem solving? relationships with people and An effective business network
T he Why to each other. This idea of simple act of asking “how can I truly investing in them, a better embraces this type of networking
I have often found that the
may outsource or subcontract
longterm result can be achieved.
and is a perfect place to build a
coopetition or cooperative
help you”, and being earnest in
People will listen to people that
Why
do we competition, really rings true actually trying to assist, will really they like but would rather buy great network of referral partners
who will assist you in growing
build trust in your fellow business
with me and has opened many
network our doors. owners and also has the added from someone who they Know, your entire business, and not only
businesses? happiness of knowing that you Like and Trust, and this takes your bottom line occasionally.
Although The simple experience of going have helped someone. more time to build but should
most to a network may seem terrifying continue to provide you with a Our vision is to Change the
people to some and this helps to grow The What sales pipeline for longer. way KZN Does Business and
join confidence in speaking not make significant strides in
a network to generate more only to individuals but also in Business networking at its Theodore Roosevelt said that uplifting the economy and
sales, this is only one facet of groups as you get opportunities most basic, is meeting people, nobody cares how much you tackling unemployment by
networking and perhaps if this to present your business and its with the goal of creating a know, until they know how helping members increase their
is you, you may well be leaving products to the room. This can connection and selling to them. much you care. With this in business through a structured,
some money in the room. be invaluable to the new business And whilst this seems too mind wouldn’t it be better to find positive and professional referral
What about further business owner just starting out. Further basic and not very sustainable, out what problems your fellow marketing programme that
opportunities and synergies to that as a new business owner I still occasionally arrive at networkers have and let them enables them to develop long-
with other businesses in the you need a plethora of business networking functions where buy the solution from you, rather term, meaningful relationships
room. What about learning services to get yourself up and I get accosted by reps or than just selling the most popular, with quality business
more about businesses that may operating and the right network salespeople. They thrust a card or perhaps the most expensive, professionals. 
be a competitor at some level, can supply you with most if not into my hand and proceed to product from your catalogue?
but if you look at them there all of these services and you can ‘vomit’ their product catalogue The more that we meet and
are usually some services and even ask others in the room about onto me in the vain hope that interact with someone the better For more information contact:
T: +27 83 309 6538
or products that complement their service levels. they will make a sale. After we will get to know them and if E: ross@bni.co.za
which I watch them proceed to these interactions are positive W: www.bni-kzn.co.za
the next ‘target’ and repeat the and mutually beneficial then we
Our vision is to process. Often moving around will start to build trust. How
the room in order to ‘network’
often are you invited to meet
change the way the KZN with everyone before their with someone and the first thing
competition gets to them. To me
that they do is try to sell you
does business. this seems to be an inefficient something? Think back…how
way to market one’s product and
did that make you feel? When
is driven by a scarcity mentality.
we put others first and put the

PROMOTING KZN, ITS BUSINESSES AND PEOPLE

ZN Top Business is a market your products and natural progression from the which will be printed in a limited written article will be compiled
unique content marketing services KZN Top Business Portfolio. edition coffee table book. using this content which will be
Kcompany that creates and ■ Highlights news, developments Each leader featured has in- printed in a limited edition coffee
distributes relevant information and opportunities through depth experience in their field KZN Top Business Women table book.
about your business through a regular e-mails that are sent to as well as much insight into This is an opportunity to raise This initiative will culminate
range of channels: print, digital, an established database business management. the profile of the industrious and in a gala evening on the 12
social, video, mobile etc. We ■ Ensures that your brand is Each leader will be interviewed enterprising business women in November which will recognise
assist in driving the visibility of kept visible through content KwaZulu-Natal and provides a
your brands, including growing search engine optimisation on camera and an edited video platform to motivate other women the achievements of the women in
clip will be produced. A written
relationships and improving (SEO) services. On-page SEO article will be compiled using to succeed. our province. 
client retention through targeted this content which will be
campaigns. This year we will be involves everything that Each woman is interviewed on For more information contact
utilising a number of products audiences see on the website printed in a limited edition camera by our team, incidental Tracy Engelbrecht
T: +27 31 701 1445
coffee table book.
that will assist in promoting the and the various social media video footage obtained, and an E: tracy@topbusiness.co.za
Province of KwaZulu-Natal, your platforms we use. Off-page SEO edited video clip produced. A W: www.kzntopbusiness.co.za
business, brand and people. is driven by the ranking of the KZN Brand DNA video series
various channels and the traffic and coffee table book
KwaZulu-Natal Top Business that is driven to these channels. The diverse and vibrant
Portfolio 2020 province of KwaZulu-Natal has
Standard Bank KZN Top
The Portfolio’s ongoing success Business Awards 2020 produced some of South Africa’s
has been achieved through the famous home-grown brands. The
use various methods including a This year the awards will take company or organisation’s story
comprehensive and well ranked place on the 9 June and will lies at the heart of your brand.
multimedia website, which is once again celebrate successful Ultimately, you want to discover
well optimised on a variety of companies and organisations in what motivates your team and
search engines, an A5 hard copy KwaZulu-Natal. The Standard tell those stories which can help
handbook as well as a digital Bank KZN Top Business Awards you truly connect with customers,
version, social media tools and a offers an excellent opportunity drive more growth and/or boost
growing series of videos. for all business sectors to meet, your sales.
be inspired and showcase their KZN brand representatives will
The Top Business Portfolio: achievements to their peers. be interviewed on camera by our
■ Provides an opportunity to both team, and an edited video clip will
emphasize your contribution KZN Leaders Portfolio be produced. A written article will
to the province’s economy and KZN Leaders Portfolio is a be compiled using this content Imraan Noorbhai, Henk van Bemmelen and Grant Adlam

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