Tour 25: More than a Pair of Solar Eclipse Glasses

I could have never guessed when I walked into a TIPS club many years ago, how much networking would give me.

Networking gave me a pair of solar eclipse glasses in a pinch.

I put out the call for an extra set of glasses on Facebook about 2 hours before the eclipse was set to be in view, and within seconds those in my network were providing solutions in the comments.

My friend Mona provided the easiest solution, and within 5 minutes of posting, my daughter and I headed 7 miles south to pick up Mona's extra pair.

We need people, and we don't know how, when, where, or why we will need them, but we do.

People need us, and we don't know how, when, where, or why they will need us, but they do.

None of us have a crystal ball that tells us who to be nice to for our own gain. So.....the good news is that we can't hedge against not knowing the future. We need to be nice to all. Of course there are caveats, but let's not get ahead ourselves.

When I say, "We need to be nice to all," I mean that for the most part, the new people that come into our lives should be treated as if, at some point, we may need them, or that they may need us.

Doesn't that put a whole new spin on a handshake, or a hello?

We may find ourselves in any number of pinches, and we can't possibly always have the resources within ourselves to muddle our way out. But our network will offer help.

My networking efforts produced a last minute pair of eclipse glasses for my teenager. Fun, but not life enriching or life changing.

Here is a list of the life enriching benefits my networking efforts have produced:

• Networking kept our window cleaning business afloat during covid.

• Networking provided additional resources for me and my family when my father died.

• Networking has given me an ability to confidently explain, in a short amount of time, the benefit our business provides.

• Networking has been the springboard for much of the business education I've received.

• Networking has taught me how to be concerned for others.

The most important understanding networking has taught me is the value of other people.

What has networking given you?

Go network my friend, and remember:

Live as if you need the people in and around your life, and live as if they need you, because they do.

The Networker's Tour Guide, Faithann Basore, and her husband Dave have owned Window Cleaning Plus (WCP) for 10 years. Growing WCP through networking has given Faithann the desire to guide other small business owners through the networking terrain so they can feel comfortable and build long lasting relationships in their business.

Got networking questions? Email me at [email protected].