How do you nurture your relationships and network as an entrepreneur?

Authenticity unfortunately has become an overused term and in some ways has lost it's meaning. People are 'trying to be authentic' by showing the behind the scenes of their lives for instance, but it's still filmed nicely and shows the perfect days. To me, authenticity as an entrepreneur is about vulnerability and courage. It's about taking a stand for what YOU believe, even if others disagree and don't say nice things about you. When you're authentic at a job, you can get fired. When you're authentic as an entrepreneur, you attract the exact clients and advocates that were meant for YOU!

Take time, the most awkward thing in the world is when you meet someone and they want to be best friends straight away, even if it's authentic, it can come across as disingenuous. Take your time to meet someone multiple times before you start blowing up their phone to hang out. Play the long game, whether it's for friendship or networking.

Entrepreneurs often approach networking with an egocentric view, seeking immediate gains. Yet, the secret sauce to genuine, lasting connections is flipping that script. Dive into networking with an altruistic intent, asking, "How can I assist?" rather than "What's in it for me?" Be vulnerable: share not just successes but the stumbles. Authenticity, paired with humility, distinguishes you. In a sea of egos, let your humility be your beacon, drawing others in. The best networkers don't just take; they give, enriching the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Seasoned networkers can smell the stench of desperation from across the room. People can sense when someone is only out to help himself. Tip-offs ranging from a panicked look in the eyes to a portfolio brimming with investments will send them running. On the other hand, by networking when you have no ulterior motive, you can begin to build relationships and a reputation for being generous rather than self-serving. Forget your personal agenda. You may be tempted to network to land a quick transaction, generosity is an attractive quality and it’s something that people will remember about you. Follow up and follow through. If you told someone you’d get in touch with them, do it and reaffirm your intent to assist in any way you can.

I stopped pitching my businesses at networking events long ago. Instead, I ask people about their kids, what movies they like, and crack jokes. It's a networking event, so work will naturally find its way into the conversation. Except now you're speaking with someone who cares about what you have to say.

Active listening opens so many doors. Don’t go on and on about your “baby” or amazing idea; don’t make it the “MeTV” show. People love to be listened to and heard, and to meet people who show genuine interest in them too. You never know who could be an investor, cofounder, customer, advocate, etc. , but you’ll never learn that if you don’t hold space and listen to them. They’ll likely ask you questions and “let” you talk too, but no need to be overbearing.

Over the years, what I found to be most effective is to genuinely care about the other person. When you meet a person, try to do your best to think about how you can add value to that person. There is a book called 'Never Eat Alone' that explains this well. If you continuously add value to people, network will automatically happen.

Give, give, give, Take, give. Open doors for others Share knowledge with others Give referrals to your network Then ask for a door to be opened for you Then make another introduction When you feed your network they will feed you but only if you ask. So many people just give and never take and then wonder why their network is not supporting their business. Give, give, give, take, and give again.

Authenticity is a product of vulnerability. Answer these 3 questions and ask them to other founders/ entrepreneurs: 1. What's your own biggest limitation that makes building your startup hard? 2. What is an adverse situation where you surprised yourself with your own tenacity? 3. What was the most anticlimactic victory of your career? A situation which was celebrated by everyone else, but amde you feel horrible?

As a early stage founder networking played a critical role in raising our 2 funding rounds, here's what I follow - 1. Always keep in touch and check-in. Most people treat networking as a one time event. 2. Maintain a spreadsheet to keep a track of all conversations who had at networking events/ conferences to do personalized follow-up. 3. Always offer value in form of introductions upfront before expecting anything to nurture the relationship. 4. Be curious to know the person, maintain eye contact and ask follow-up questions.

Being authentic as an entrepreneur is vital for building trust, forming genuine connections, and ensuring long-term success. It fosters credibility, attracts like-minded individuals, sustains relationships, promotes learning, aids conflict resolution, and brings personal satisfaction. Authenticity doesn't mean oversharing; it involves being open, honest, and respectful while staying true to your values and identity. This approach leads to meaningful connections and opportunities that align with your entrepreneurial path.

As a 3x founder straight out of college, networking has been a founding pillar for all my startups. Here's how I approach networking and nurturing relationships: - 1. Always offer to help and make introductions first without expecting anything in return. 2. Always stay in touch and proactively try to catchup and exchange notes once in a month or quarter. 3. Try to form connection on a personal level, that means you need to let your guard down and become vulnerable. Being vulnerable to others builds more trust and affinity.

I've come to learn that being generous with your time, knowledge, and resources can be an invaluable way to nurture relationships and build a larger network. Whenever there's the opportunity to help someone out, give advice or point them in the right direction, don't hesitate. Being willing to lend a hand without expecting anything in return helps demonstrate your genuine care for others and strengthens your reliability as a person to have in their circle. Put yourself out there with full intentions of being valuable and generous, and you'll reap the rewards.

In my experience, nurturing relationships in my professional network has been crucial for business growth and success. The second paragraph of the article emphasizes the importance of maintaining regular communication and providing value to your network. I fully agree with this perspective. By staying connected and engaging with individuals in my network, I have been able to foster trust, establish mutually beneficial collaborations, and gain valuable insights. Whether it's sharing industry updates, offering assistance, or connecting people within my network, consistently nurturing relationships has proven to be a powerful way to expand my professional opportunities and create a supportive community.

There is an outdated sales perspective that states “never give away free consultation”. This was clearly written prior to the Internet. Your prospects can gather as many insights thoughts, perspectives, and advice from googling their question with little to no need to speak, with a sales rep until much further down the buying journey. With this in mind, we need to be the one that’s providing Value and insigts before they even know they need us. When we detach from what the prospect is worth to us, and attached to what we are worth to the prospect by providing value and resources, we become the vendor of choice.

Give first, but be specific. Don't just say "Is there anything I can help you with?" It may sound generous, but it's ambiguous and can actually be confusing to the person you're offering to help. Instead, mention a few specific ways you can provide value. They may not be interested but at least it gives them more context. As a result they may ask for help with something related to your offer. At the very least, they'll know how you can help their network.

Give, give, and give some more. The key to getting is by giving. In business that is value, and it can be in the shape of an introduction, or a kind gesture. It is so important to seek to give value, and expect to get nothing in return. People will respond to kindness with kindness, and kindness always wins.

I would add be present and pro-active. I've seen people make superficial attempts to offer help show up when it is expedient or an opportunity to be "seen". Throughout my decades long PR career as an agency owner I routinely check in on my peeps to see how they are doing, offer support, put people together, provide some free advice and absolutely return calls and emails. Especially for colleagues or clients who have lost their jobs and need someone to encourage them, maybe give them a small project or a lead. Selfless acts over time define who you are. This is the stuff that strong relationships are made of. Successful entrepreneurs understand about investing in relationships and in deferred gratification.

To cultivate the best relationships, I believe you must really have the best interests of the other person at the forefront of your mind. Your goal in the relationship is not to get something, but instead to give.

It truly gives me joy to be able to help others - both by listening and by making suggestions and connections that may benefit them.

When you meet someone, simply ask "how can I help?" They may not have anything specific at the time, but you'll understand what matters most to them and how you can be of value in the relationship. Likewise, know the answer to that question if someone asked you!

A wonderful and easy way to add value to your connections is whenever you read or watch something great, ask yourself, do I know someone who might find this interesting or useful? Then send them a link with a quick note of why you thought this is relevant to them. It shouldn't take you more than a minute, and beyond demonstrating your value to the person, it can sometimes be a conversation starter leading to new opportunities.

My mom always taught me to treat everyone with same respect that I want to receive in return no matter who they are in this world. Being respectful towards others is another key factor in nourishing relationships and building a larger support system. It's important to remember that everyone has a unique set of boundaries, preferences, and schedules, and it's our duty to be mindful of them. Before sending out any messages or requests, always ask for permission first. Use their preferred method of communication and be considerate of their decisions – no matter what they may be. Showing respect demonstrates your professionalism and thoughtfulness while demonstrating an awareness of the needs and feelings of those around you.

Give people the benefit of the doubt. If someone misses an appointment, is a no-show, take the high road and check that everything is OK with them. Would they like to reschedule? Stuff happens. Treat others as you want to be treated. Respect breeds respect.

If we want to thrive in our relationships and networks, being respectful is a must-have skill. Respect shows that we value and appreciate others. It also builds trust and loyalty. When we're respectful and show others how valued they are to us that's the holy grail. It's when they become more likely to want to work with us and even spread the word about us to others. But wait, there's more! Respect is just the starting point. To really rock it, we gotta show empathy and understanding. Understanding other people's perspectives, and how they got there, helps us connect with them on deeper levels — leading to relationships that are not just strong but also meaningful and fulfilling.

Respect is cost of entry for every and any relationship. And, that too needs to be treated with levels of mindfulness. Making sure that there's a balance of giving and receiving. Being understanding when cancellations or rescheduling need to happen. These are people in your tribe. Treat them well, give them your best, and show up as your wonderful self.

Say no to requests when you don’t have enough water in the glass and allow others to do so 💜 Say yes to only people, things and opportunities that are aligned with our values and vision 🔥 Respect our being holistically and offer the same to others

Treat others the way you want to be treated. Do you want to be sold to like a vacuum cleaner salesperson would sell door to door? Then don’t do it to others. Respectful also means keeping appointments and communicating with the people who you appreciate and respect.

Exhibiting respect is a fundamental approach to fostering relationships and networks as an entrepreneur. Avoid inundating others with unsolicited messages or demands, and instead, prioritize their time, boundaries, and preferences. Seek permission, communicate politely, and remain adaptable. By considering their availability, using their preferred communication methods, and valuing their choices, you demonstrate professionalism and courtesy. This respectful approach underscores your awareness of others' emotions and requirements, leading to meaningful interactions and a foundation of mutual regard within your network.

This is a no brainer. Without any respect we would get absolutely no where. The simple things count: please, thank you, and I'm sorry. People are human. Heck, we are all human. Except my dog, I wish he could speak. It really is the small things. Be considerate, do not bombard, respect peoples boundaries and always show up with empathy and compassion. It will aid you in so many ways.

Ask for advice rather than solicit help. It's easier for someone to provide advice (and takes very little time) vs. doing a favor that they may not be comfortable with. In the process of giving advice, they may offer to help with specific areas - but it's their prerogative.

Being respectful is not something that should be considered a choice, but rather a trait we should all aspire to embody regardless of any external factors. Respect is a fundamental characteristic of good character that is often overlooked and undervalued in our society today. Showing respect for those around you not only conveys your admiration for them but also highlights how trustworthy and dependable you are. Demonstrating courtesy and politeness in your relationships emphasizes your professional demeanor and credibility. When people trust and respect you, they are more likely to follow your lead, trust your advice, and embrace your ideas.

Have A backup plan for yourself, and also for those who would become a part of your startup's team... I often come across many job seekers who are victims of failed startups (or should I say failed Founders?) They join a startup based on their trust in the Founder’s vision. The Founders themselves, unfortunately, do not have a backup plan - They just dive into the trend and then when things don’t work out, they quit or are forced to wind up. In fact, it’s said that over 90% of startups fail. The people who helped build the Founder’s vision are left stranded without a job and salaries. So my request to anyone wanting to startup is to have a backup plan, not just for yourself, but also for your employees, customers, and partners.

Absolutely spot on. I have been living by these principles my entire life and I totally agree. I would add gratitude to this as well.

Be vulnerable Many entrepreneurs hesitate to share the challenges that they face while building a startup. In my personal experience, the more I have opened up and shared the challenges, the more support I have received from my network. It is about keeping it real and authentic and coming from a place of curiosity to learn from and give back to your network.

At the core of successful entrepreneurs, you’ll find people who always challenge themselves, seek feedback and work to stay ahead. There’s little way of achieving success if you’re not adaptable i.e. using feedback and new information from the market, clients, competitors and collaborators to make your next move. As an entrepreneur myself, I’ve found that adaptability requires humility and a passion for personal development. I moved from engineering to marketing to entrepreneurship over a 17-year period and I wouldn’t have achieved much if I wasn’t open and ready for new (sometimes scary!) opportunities.

Regular communication: Keeping in touch, sharing updates, and exchanging ideas. Providing value: Helping others succeed, offering advice or resources when possible. Genuine interest: Caring about individuals' success, not just potential business benefits. Networking events: Attending industry functions, meetups, and conferences. Social media: Engaging with contacts on platforms like LinkedIn or Twitter. Follow-ups: After meetings or events, reinforcing connections made. Mutual respect: Honoring commitments and valuing others' time.

Roll with the punches and adapt to the scenario. The more rigid you are the more you give others the impression "It's my way or the highway."

Reading Keith Ferrazzi's book "Never eat alone" gave me a fresh and invigorating perspective on networking & the power of our networks. Your network is two-way: you should be able to add value to others, and reciprocally they will able to help and add value to you. Most humans intrinsically want to help: if you reach out to someone in a thoughtful manner with your ask, rationale behind your desire to connect, they are likely to respond and engage with you. The worst they can say is no :) Use social media (e.g. LinkedIn) to stay in touch with your network and stay up to date with their personal and business developments.

I would add - humor and humility. Sometimes a smile, a joke even weak humor can reduce stress in an entrepreneur's life and make the community warm upto them. The need to know it all, be on top of the game again is something that I think is not true. Embracing what he or she doesn't know shows courage and adaptability and grows relationships and broadens the sphere of influence

Listening to others is more important than talking. Talking over people or interrupting them apart from being disrespectful shows people you don't care about what they have to say. Being a good listener, remembering past discussions and being polite means you are engaging with their ideas in a thoughtful, comprehensive way. Good listening is a commitment to digesting the information others are presenting and responding constructively.

Versatility is so important. Being able to pivot around people is so key, as we are all complex human beings that have different wants and needs and that makes us unique, but highly complex. Nobody is the same, and that is what keeps the earth rotating. Being able to navigate different relationships, and the diversity of the world is one of the most underrated skills to have. Holding a conversation with a waitress, cleaner, and the CEO without fear or bias is the real winner. People are people, we should love and respect each other as we all deserve a chance to be heard and understood.