Think of a situation where a familiar supplier has run out of the product you need. How can you quickly find a new supplier? If you have networked well and built your network with proper consideration, you can avoid unnecessary hassle.

– A good network is a form of risk management. You should never put all your eggs in one basket. Maintaining your network does require some effort, but you should consider it a part of your general operation, says business developer Minna Lojander.

Minna has been organizing Keuke’s popular business dating events for several years now. The feedback from entrepreneurs regarding the events has been excellent. The events have produced completely new business ideas and many participants have found new partners for their operations.

– One method for innovating new products and services is to bring a few operators from different sectors to bounce ideas off each other. One example of such activities on the global scale is the groundbreaking idea developed by a cosmetics company and a car manufacturer that introduced a moisturizing element to air conditioning in cars.

Minna has worked as a service coordinator at Keuke for eight years. In recent years, she has also been studying for her MBA and was recently appointed a business developer at Keuke.

– By keeping an open mind and meeting new people you can maintain your ability to improve in various ways. It is still true that you cannot create new, creative ideas if you are stuck inside your ivory tower.

PEER SUPPORT THROUGH NETWORKS

Entrepreneurship is often quite a lonely road. Entrepreneurs may not always have close friends with whom they could discuss what is on their minds.

– Entrepreneurs often mention that they participate in Keuke’s events because they can interact with their peers and discuss issues with other entrepreneurs. After all, peer support is one of the most significant benefits of networking, Minna Lojander says.

– In practice, peer support means realizing that many others are grappling with the same issues and that those issues could be resolved by discussing them.

A well-built network will provide peer support when you encounter a sudden crisis or a special situation. If you have helped the other people in your network selflessly, you can be sure that they will return the favor when necessary.

– At its best, networking means that small entrepreneurs working in the same area can share resources with each other according to the situation. Shared success benefits all.

EXTENDING YOUR REACH THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA

Digitalization opens up new avenues for networking. For example, the increasingly popular professional networking channel LinkedIn makes it possible to create larger networks.

– The same principles apply online as in other areas of life. This means that when you do a favor for a friend, for example by sharing their recruitment announcement or other posts, they will help you when you need to share your message with a wider audience, Lojander says.

– The vast number of users is a particular advantage of online networks. This means that you can reach large groups of people with a single message. At the same time, you have access to your entire network if you are looking for information, specialists, or partners.

Social media channels and important personal interaction are not mutually exclusive but instead complementary. Both have their advantages.

– I recommend taking part in the business dating events and other events organized by Keuke as well as networking professionally in LinkedIn and Facebook. There is power in networks!