10 Essential Reasons to Get Networking

Every major opportunity that has happened to me in my life, career and business has come through networking, conversations and introductions. In the world we live in effective networking can fast track your career or business – or your failure to do it well or at all can leave you struggling in the sidelines. I’ve gained friends, contacts, business, profits and profile through it.

Whether you’re at a point where you’re wanting step up in your career -or change it – or whether it’s the case that you’re your own boss and are looking to gain clients, contacts and profits, effective networking can be the difference between those who really flourish and the also rans.

As a coach, motivational speaker and author it is essential for my business. It is something that is so dear to my heart that I now teach emerging and established professionals and entrepreneurs how to flourish through it at my monthly Networking for Success event at the British Library Business & IP Centre.

Here are 10 reasons why you should get networking and how you can benefit.

Connections – gain great contacts across countless fields – for mutual benefit
Relations – build new friendships, partnerships and possibilities
Elevation – gain business, clients, sales or career opportunities
Inspiration – often great events have speakers who can motivate and inspire
Isolation – meet others to share, support, advance and stop you getting stuck
Introductions – direct introductions to those you might otherwise never meet or be able to access
Direction – it can guide, direct, signpost you and help you progress in life / career / business
Information – many events provide info advice as might the delegates you meet
Education — many events can boost your knowledge, skills and abilities
Celebration – Events can help you unwind, have fun, celebrate.

There are many myths around networking and many people have picked up bad habits giving it a bit of a bad reputation. But networking – relationship building for mutual benefit – makes our personal, working and business world go around. Great networking happens when you’re strategic, authentic and where you allow chance and serendipity to kick in.

It’s shrewd to network in a range of places: conferences, seminars, exhibitions, socially, in the workplace – through to simply catching up with friends and family. There is both a skill and an art to it – but key to it is being yourself, never being selfish and looking for mutual benefit.

Rasheed Ogunlaru is an acclaimed life, business and corporate coach whose simple ‘become who you are’ approach has helped countless business owners connect with themselves, their businesses and their customers. His background spans over 20 years in coaching, training, media, PR and performance. Rasheed is the business coach partner to the British Library’s Business and IP Centre and business coach mentor to TiE UK. He is a highly sought-after public speaker and regularly appears in the media, including the BBC, The Times and the Guardian.

He is the author of ‘The Gift of Inner Success’ and ‘Soul Trader – Putting the heart back into your business.’ or Amazon

For information about coaching, motivational talks, or to order one of his inspiring books, CDs and MP3s visit his website or email him

Twitter – @RasheedOgunlaru

or call 020 7207 1082