3 Ways You Can Use Connection to Grow Your Business
If I had to pick one word that sums up what I do – how I help my clients, and what I love most about working with women in business – it would be the word “connection”.
To me it is the pinnacle of everything. The way that we connect with ourselves, with our businesses, with our dreams and aspirations, and with others. When I work one-to-one, and in groups with clients, connection is where we always start; we turn inward, accessing and defining core values, unique strengths, and their highest vision for their future. Then we map out the steps they need to take to get there from a place of alignment and true fulfilment.
Having just run my most recent ‘Get Set for Success’ workshop, I have been reflecting on the power of connection when working and learning in groups. It’s incredible to witness how much can be gained when like-minded women in business come together, share their experiences and ideas, witness each other’s breakthroughs, and feel safe enough to be vulnerable about the doubts and fears that affect us all.
It got me thinking about the ways that we can use connection to grow our businesses, and I thought I would share them with you here.
1. Connect with… Your Core Values
I believe that core values are the foundation of everything. When you have elicited and defined your core business values – the handful of words that signpost to what is fundamentally most important to you – you then have a compass to guide you. You will set goals that feel motivating and inspiring, and you will be able to make important decisions with ease.
When you are clear on your core values, you can easily communicate your “Why” – what your business stands for, how it helps people, and how you differentiate yourself from others in the same industry. You will also easily attract your ideal clients, as people are drawn to work with those who share the same values.
2. Connect with… Your Unique Strengths
In his brilliant book ‘The Big Leap’ Gay Hendricks tells us that, “The best job of all is doing something that doesn’t feel like a job at all”. He prompts us to seek out our ‘Zone of Genius’ – the place we reside when we feel at our most innovative and creative, our most satisfied and alive, and that we should spend as much of our time here as possible.
What is it all for if we are not ultimately fulfilled in our work? When we build businesses that play to our unique strengths we feel driven, energised, and unstoppable, and this energy is infectious. Working for yourself can be tough at times; it can be challenging to stay motivated, and it can be hard to stand out from the crowd in this noisy online world.
So, dare to be different. Ask yourself, “What do I love most to do?”, “What is my unique ability?”, “What are the qualities that people close to me love most about me?” and, “Which are activities I can do for hours without getting tired or bored?”. And then spend as much time as you can maximising your strengths.
3. Connect with… Your Network
I believe that, other than yourself, your network is your most valuable business asset. As a woman in business, it is so important to surround yourself with other like-minded individuals who can help you in a myriad of ways, from building your virtual team (there’s only so long you can go on being the IT Director, Sales Director, Marketing Director, Finance Director… you get my point), to being there to bounce ideas off, or offer helpful advice.
When starting out in business, who you know is really the best place to begin. Remember that old adage of, “It’s not what you know it’s who you know”..? Connect with people, have conversations, stay curious, and look for the win-win in the relationship. Over time you will be able to build empowering strategic partnerships that will serve you and your business for years to come.
My tip? Find your tribe! I know I did. It took a little searching initially, but then back in 2019 I was invited to a professional women’s network WIBN. Now, five and a half years later I own and run the Thames Valley area of the network, and it is one of the most rewarding aspects of my business.
So, how will you use connection today to grow your business? I’d love to know. Feel free to drop me a comment, or send me a message, as connecting with people is my favourite thing to do.
Until then, good luck and enjoy the process!
Vicki Messenger helps empower aspiring and early-stage female founders to confidently create, launch and grow lasting and fulfilling businesses. You can find out more about Vicki’s services, along with more articles and heaps of complementary resources at www.vickimessenger.com.
Have you grabbed your copy of my FREE e-book: “What I wish I knew…” – Pearls of Wisdom from 10 Incredible Women in Business yet? It’s packed full of insider secrets, outstanding advice, and pure business gold that will help to inspire you on your business journey, whatever stage you are at.
Interested in networking locally in the Thames Valley or online with like-minded women in business? Take a look at my events right here: WIBN (Women In Business Network)
