Last year, when everyone was first advised to stay six feet apart and confine themselves in their homes as much as possible, many people scoffed at the suggestion, and with good reason: We need people. While we all experience varying levels, human contact is essential for everyone. Many of us fare better when we endure difficult times together.
As opposed to manufacturing everything in-house, this is one reason why businesses acquire other trade business coaching, why there are business networking organizations, why franchising exists, and why a company has suppliers. I believe that the more allies and assets a company has, the stronger it will be. Entrepreneurs cannot do everything on their own, and I believe that attempting to do so is often futile.
It is natural for a sole proprietor to believe that his or her business should operate independently. It's simple to believe that you should never collaborate with other businesses. However, joining forces with other business owners and establishing a network can be extremely beneficial to your business endeavors.
Better Intel
Whether you purchase a business, join a chamber of commerce, or simply begin attending a business networking group of your peers, you can benefit from the information deluge that is now at your fingertips.
In fact, many franchises across the nation prospered during the pandemic, and it's difficult not to conclude that franchisees did well individually, given that we're stronger as a group. My company, like many other franchisors and franchisees across the nation, provided daily Covid-19 calls, weekly webinars, and virtual informational sessions to our franchisees to discuss available resources and how they could be applied, and to share best practices that our members could implement.
Those shared best practices can be exceptionally beneficial, whether in a franchise or a business networking group. Nobody knows everything, but if you leverage the knowledge of business owners who are in the same circumstances as you, you may soon feel as though you know everything.
Locating Groups
Finding the correct organization to align with can be a trial and error process. For instance, you may discover that your local chamber of commerce is a fantastic resource that you wish you had utilized sooner. Or you may find it deficient. Not every group will be a good choice for you, but you won't know for sure until you attend a few meetings.
I suggest you begin your search for organizations by inquiring of reputable coworkers which groups they adhere to and where they obtain advice. I also recommend that you attend industry trade events. As a result of the pandemic, many industry trade fairs have held virtual events, if not actual ones. Regardless, industry trade fairs can be an excellent resource-finding tool.
When you discover an organization that can assist you, the best way to get something out of it is to not be too concerned with getting something out of it. Whether you're working in a franchise or a networking group, I believe that the majority of people discover that if they focus on being a good member and helping others, they end up receiving much more in return.
