Develop a Networking Strategy

The last step in the research process is to develop a networking strategy. Building positive relationships and networking within the community you are planning to operate in, will help you make strong bonds in the community. The best way to build these relationships and network will be through industry associations, other business owners and a mentor.

Industry Associations

Opportunities of Membership

Most associations allow for opportunities to network with other businesses just like yours, get industry information to use within your business, and be eligible for special discounts and offerings through the association. Click the links below to help with your search:

Small Business Association of Michigan
America Small Business Association
Chamber of Commerce

Memembership

Most associations require one-time membership fees or annual dues to be a member from year to year. The benefits of being a member of certain associations can very greatly from association to association.

Searches

Simple Internet searches can be helpful in locating associations you may want to be a member of IF you know what you are looking for. If you don't know exactly where to start, a more specific search engine designed to sort through industries would be more beneficial. The following industry directories may be helpful for you: www.radiantsytems.com www.jobbankusa.com/indassoc/mainindex www.google.com/Top/Business/Associations/By_Industry/

All three websites, plus many others, allow users to first, search for the industry they are involved with and then categories and subcategories break-down results further to find specific associations that could be useful for that specific business owner.

Sample Search Results

Provided below is an example of how to find and then apply to become a member of an association using www.radiantsystems.com. Keyword search: restaurant On the right there are buttons including Industry Associations, Industry Publications, Case Studies, Events, etc. Clicking Industry Associations brings up a listing of various associations involved with the restaurant and hospitality services industries. Listed fourth from the top is the National Restaurant Association which was selected and re-directed to www.restaurant.org. www.restaurant.org: National Restaurant

Association (NRA)

Dues and Benefits to NRA are determined by your company's sales of food and beverages. For example, if your restaurant has sales less than $250,000 in a year then your annual dues to the association would be $260. With that fee, you're qualified for a 2-in-1 membership to both the National Restaurant Association and the Michigan Restaurant Association. With these two memberships, you'd qualify for the following:

Free member hotline to NRA Information Services & Library--get all your questions answered in one phone call!
Free subscription to Washington Weekly, NRA's newsletter on Capitol Hill, Association news and events
Discounts of up to 50 percent off National Restaurant Association publications and National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation products
Free admission to the industry's largest trade show, the National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show in Chicago
Reduced member rates on a variety of programs including 401(k) and employment practices liability insurance Michigan Restaurant Association - (517) 482-5244
Free sanitation training
Free publications: Michigan Restaurateur, Michigan Restaurant News
Free admission to MRA and National Restaurant Association trade shows
Free labor-law posters
Toll-free information and advice--one call can pay for your membership!
Big savings on employer guides
Great discounts on training programs
Access to all group purchasing programs
Networking opportunities
Strong political voice with the premier advocate for the foodservice industry

Along with these benefits of being a member, you'll also have:
* Access to current industry trends and data
* Industry fact sheets
* Industry forecasts for the up-coming year
* State-by-state facts
* The NRA's Online Buyer's Guide which allows you to find suppliers near you for all sorts of necessities like food, paper, products, uniforms, equipment, and furniture just to name a few
* The NRA's TakeCharge programs offers credit and debit-card processing at exclusive low rates
* Many and much more!

Industry Association Listings

If you know your specific industry, some great website directories of associations are listed below. www.retail-leaders.org - Specific retail associations listings that can be sorted through by the short description provided
The world's largest retail industry association can be found at - www.nrf.com
www.restaurant.org - Hospitality and food service industry associations listing along with short descriptions of each association

Other Business Owners

One of the best ways to network is to talk to other business owners. Whether they be competitive business or in a completely different industry, you'll never get better advice than from someone who's already experienced it. Small business owners know that growing economic activity ultimately helps their business so most would be more than happy to talk with someone (like you) willing to give entrepreneurialism a try.

Why would you need a mentor?

"Mentoring is a term historically used to describe a teacher-student relationship. In the business world, mentoring occurs when a more experienced professional (the mentor) gives significant career assistance to a less-experienced professional (the protege)." (cited from sba.gov) - www.sba.gov

Click the Franchise tab in the right hand column to continue your research... Remember Exploring all of your options is the best way to improve your chances of success