Build a Business by Talking to People
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For some business people networking is a waste of time and money. But that needn’t be the case.
Networking, like any other marketing activity, needs to be approached in the right way, and using tried and tested methods. If you approach networking in a systematic manner, and understand the dynamics, you will get fantastic results. Networking is all about building relationships, and through those relationships developing more business, better suppliers, and a network of referral partners. Effective networking involves many aspects, some obvious, and some subtle.
Tracey Smolinski is a seasoned networker, founder of networking organisation, Introbiz, author, and speaker. Her experience of all aspects of networking has been put together in this month’s Power Hour.
Your Speaker – Tracey Smolinski
Tracey Smolinski was born and raised in Cardiff, where she grew up in a local public house. She spent her childhood surrounded by people, which contributed greatly to her love of people and talking to them. Moving away from the pub, Tracey found her forte in sales and worked at many local media organisations, selling and advertising. One day, her superior at the time decided to send Tracey networking to find more business. She didn’t really understand what networking was all about but went along anyway. After three months of weekly networking, Tracey still hadn’t secured any sales and felt that it was a complete waste of time and effort. After asking for honest feedback and taking some very sound advice, Tracey decided to give networking another go, from a different angle. She went on to sell £100,000 worth of advertising space in the next six months.
The idea of Introbiz was born back in 2008 when Tracey realised that there was no distinguish-able networking company in South Wales and so she decided to go it alone. In January 2009, Introbiz was born and with over 300 members from a wide range of industries and sectors, it’s Wales’ largest professional business network.
Demands for Tracey to share her knowledge and experience have grown significantly, which is why she decided to write a book to help anyone who’d like any advice when it comes to networking. Tracey also discusses the trials she’s faced as a business owner and how her own experiences have shaped the businesswoman that she is today Tracey has two children, Carly and Daniel, and is stepmother to Julia and Daniel. She loves nothing more than spending time with the family, creating happy memories.