8 Networking Strategies That Can Help Your Business
In the lively ecosystem of Richmond's Housing Authority, networking was an integral part of the professional landscape. Here's a glimpse into the networking practices that could also help your company, as shared by Catherine Goode, a lifetime Richmond resident and an integral part of these experiences.
1. Office Parties and Seasonal Gifts
““During Christmas time, other companies would send the Housing Authority gifts like a box of oranges, apples, peanuts, or popcorn,””
"During Christmas time, other companies would send the Housing Authority gifts like a box of oranges, apples, peanuts, or popcorn," my aunt recalled. These gestures, simple yet significant, symbolized a shared community spirit and a mutual desire for collaboration and camaraderie.
Image by Giftpack
2. Fun Events for Networking Opportunities
Richmond, Virginia’s NASCAR stadium. Image by Jared C. Tilton/ Getty Images
The festive season also opened avenues for strategic networking. Invitations to events and experiences, such as a memorable day at the racetrack, were more than just leisure; they were opportunities to build long-lasting business relationships. A contractor invited my aunt Catherine to Richmond’s racetrack where she had the opportunity to ride around in a race car on the contractor’s dime. Although she declined to ride in the race car, the invitation highlights the blend of business with pleasure in networking.
It’s a fantastic idea if you have a little extra cash, to woo your clients or people you want to do business with by inviting them to a fun event around their city—sports events are popular.
3. Wine and Dine
Richmond's culinary landscape was another arena for networking. "That’s how I found out about all the nice restaurants in Richmond that I had never heard of before," my aunt Catherine mentioned, emphasizing how these dining experiences were as much about discussing potential business deals as they were about enjoying the city's gourmet offerings.
4. The Art of Deal-Making
In these relaxed settings, doors opened for contractors to discuss how they could assist the Housing Authority, turning social interactions into potential business opportunities. "It would open up a door where it gave them an opportunity to tell them how they can help them," she explained.
5. Corporate Events
The networking reach extended to larger corporate entities. HP, Verizon, Cisco, and Microsoft, invited my aunt’s government business to conferences and events, indicating the diverse range of networking opportunities that spanned beyond local contractors.
6. Importance of Trustworthy Relationships
"It was a way to make friends and meet a lot of acquaintances. You don’t want to do business with just anybody. You want to make sure they’re decent people," Aunt Catherine wisely pointed out. This underscores the value of forming connections with respectable and reliable individuals in any business context.
7. The Shadow of Illegality
However, it's essential to recognize the darker aspects of networking within such sectors. "A lot of jobs happen in the government because contractors pay the employers (Kickback), but it’s illegal," she cautioned, highlighting the ethical boundaries that sometimes blur in the pursuit of professional relationships.
8. Networking as an Art Form
The experiences at the Housing Authority of Richmond teach us about the complexities of networking. It's a fine balance between professional growth, personal interactions, and maintaining ethical integrity.