Networking Unleashed: Your Coworking Space Advantage
It truly takes a village to run a business, no matter its size or how long it’s been operating. Finding outside vendors, clients, and partners for operations or financial help is essential for success. The foundation of any good business is the network that surrounds it. The people and organizations that you build relationships with are the key to your organization’s growth and longevity.
And this is only the beginning when it comes to the importance of networking.
“Networking often leads to collaborations and partnerships that can significantly benefit businesses and individuals,” says Capforge in an article titled The Importance of Networking in Business.
To learn more about why building out your network is so valuable, check out this article.
Of course, you could try to do it all yourself, but this often leads to burnout. And honestly, how could anyone run a business and reach their full potential if they are burnt out?
You’ve Got Networking Options
There are countless ways to build your network. In-person and virtual networking events and social media can help you build valuable connections. These connections are important for growing your business.
In-Person Networking Events
Organizations host a variety of networking events that bring together diverse people and businesses. The goal is to help them make professional connections. There are many types of networking events to choose from, which gives you the opportunity to select the ones that would benefit you most.
For example, happy hour networking events
give you an opportunity to network in a more casual setting (and have a yummy little treat and usually some cocktails while you do it). Similarly, some networking events take place over a meal, like a luncheon or a dinner.
In contrast, there are some networking events that are a bit more formal, structured, or specific to a particular industry or type of work. Attending industry-specific seminars can allow you the opportunity to discuss industry matters with others in the same field and build relationships with people doing similar work. Check out a couple of our favorite networking groups:
Hoffman Estates Chamber of Commerce
Professional Women’s Club of Chicago
Some other types of networking events include career fairs, conferences, and trade shows. These events focus on helping you find the right workers, partners, and vendors. They can be busy and crowded, with many organizations and vendors trying to connect with each other at the same time.
It is understandable that one might find it difficult to know where to start when it comes to networking events. If you don’t know where to start with finding the best networking events for you and figuring out how to make the most of these events, check out this article from Herzing University.
Social Media
Building and running a business is a time-consuming job, and sometimes you might not have time to attend live events in person or online due to your busy schedule. On social media platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook, there are often groups that you can join that operate like networking forums. These present the opportunity to make connections without disrupting your schedule.
Networking in Your Own Backyard
There is a somewhat secret option when it comes to networking that we want to let you in on. It might just be the solution to all your problems. The best of both worlds. A real win-win. An opportunity to bring the network to you. On your time… Without disrupting your busy schedule.
Coworking Spaces
Have you ever heard of coworking spaces?
If you are unaware of what a coworking space is, let us let you in on one of the best-kept secrets to networking success and building a business in a budget-friendly way.
A coworking space is a shared office space where people from different practices and organizations can work together. Coworking spaces offer a variety of options so that you can select the one that best suits your needs.
Do you want a dedicated private office? With a coworking space, you can have your own private office with access to a variety of meeting rooms and a network in your own backyard. Even when you have your own private space, you will be able to build a powerful network that will allow your business to truly flourish. Whether it’s building a clientele or finding vendors or other organizations to partner with to fulfill the needs of your business, all of these connections can be made right outside the door to your private office.
More Connections, Less Time
In a coworking space you will find yourself making connections while going about your everyday duties. When you don’t have to go out of your way to make connections at networking events and career fairs and trade shows, you free up time to really dig into the actual work.
Going to grab a complimentary cup of coffee or heading back for a refill? You just might run into your next great connection on the way there or while the coffee is brewing! You can find yourself talking business over a coffee break one minute and see your business take the next major steps in its growth the next.
Flexibility to Suit Your Needs
Coworking spaces offer a variety of options when it comes to what type of space that you would like to work in. Like we’ve mentioned Flexibility to Suit Your Needs
Coworking spaces offer a variety of options to suit your work style. As we’ve mentioned, you could opt for a dedicated private office—a space that’s all your own to customize.
Other options include dedicated desks, similar to cubicles, and coworking spaces—open workspaces that allow you to collaborate with others and make connections while you work. You could even choose to use meeting rooms as needed, available regardless of your workspace choice.
For more details about coworking spaces and the options available, visit our website or reach out to our Sales Manager Marie.
Some coworking spaces, like ours, offer networking events for members and non-members alike. These events are a major plus, saving you time and travel while fostering valuable connections throughout your workday.
Take the Leap
Networking is the foundation of any good business and the key to its growth. Coworking spaces offer the opportunity to network in your own backyard, along with a variety of networking events and other amenities. Choosing a coworking space can supercharge your business growth, providing a space to plant your roots, grow, and flourish.
We invite you to attend one of our upcoming networking events and see if our space is the right fit for you. Who knows? You might just make your next major connection.
To find out when our next on-site networking event is, reach out to our Sales Manager Marie Hale here.