Editorial: Networking - is it really necessary?

contractjournal.com Newsletter: 28.07.05

Editorial: Networking - is it necessary?

Lazy lunches, a few quick pints, and a box at the match – contractors and journalists have enjoyed them all in the name of networking. In today's editorial, news editor Justin Stanton argues that networking is a core weapon in a contractor's business development armoury – but it shouldn't be the only one.

For a journalist networking is a necessity, but for a contractor? If a new survey from British Gas Business is to be believed, then fully 68% of small construction firms think it is not.

A total of 60% of those who don’t network said it was not relevant to their business, 56% said they do not need to because they have enough customers and 14% said they don’t have time.

However, tellingly the survey also reveals that the vast majority of those who do network do win new business because of it. Cafes, pubs and restaurants were the most popular venues for networking.

Contract Journal hacks have networked on numerous occasions at various venues - executive boxes at football matches, wallet-busting eight-hour lunches at flash eateries, and big days out - and we’ve made good contacts through them all.

Networking is an important part of any business – it allows you to promote you and your business while finding out what’s going on within rival firms and current and future clients on an informal basis.

But be warned, networking should be just one string to your bow: some major construction firms’ idea of marketing is simply networking over six pints - usually a few years later these firms find themselves ‘networking’ with creditors and administrators...

Talking of marketing and promotion, Contract Journal is doing its bit to promote the industry through the Images of Construction photography competition. You can view the first round shortlist and vote for your favourite at www.cjphotocomp.com. Get your vote in now!