Networking Your Business

This article is not speaking about the physical layer of computing called networking. Rather, this is a discussion about networking with others in order to help build and sustain your business.

It used to be popular to have lunch meetings surrounding networking with other business people. You were not supposed to sit at the same place every meeting. This rule was created to help you meet new people and connect with those who might need your products or services. But now, networking the ‘old’ way has been replace by networking on the Internet with the various offerings that you find in entities like facebook, Youtube, Twitter, LinkedIn, and so forth.

At the very core, networking has this as its primary theme: make it as easy as possible for others (especially customers and prospects) to reach you and get to know you.

Once you are networked, you need to follow this advice as well. Obtain and use an 800 number and associated PBX system to augment your networking activities. Here’s why:

Callers introduce themselves for free. When customers and prospects call your number it is at no cost to them. This invites callers without barriers to who you are and what you have to offer in the marketplace. That is like having ready-made prospects land on your doorstep with checkbook in hand.

Introduce yourself to callers and provide them with many options. When a caller dials your 800 number they are presented with options of how they want to connect with you. If they just need information, they can choose the on-demand information available at a push of a button. For more personal connections, they can choose a department or a ‘live’ person. This complete system allows you to put your best foot forward, and at the same time, provide what the caller wants: information.

All calls are aided by the programmed ‘follow-me’ feature which tries multiple numbers in succession before finally resorting to a voicemail box. This drives home the message that callers are of utmost importance to you and your business. If a caller cannot obtain the information that they are seeking, then a transfer to a ‘live’ person will certainly fill the need.

Once you have established rapport with your customers, you will benefit from the networking activities brought about by your PBX system. If you have multiple extensions and people working in your organization, they can be programmed into the system as an option. Even if they are contractors and live outside of your area you can still make them a part of the routing options for callers. This places everyone into one system that provides easy and quick access. Not just for customers and clients, however, but internal users of the system benefit from this as well.

Creating and maintaining your network is important to keep your business growing. You never know when one of your contacts will need your products or services. Now more than ever, it is important that you offer the easiest and best way to reach you via voice that is available today. An 800 number and PBX system will supply that avenue for your business.