The world of commercial vehicle sales can be extremely competitive, which can sometimes result in missed opportunities for organizational networking. Organizational networking is when one or more groups come together to meet a common goal or mission. If you’re not using organizational networking as a tool, you could potentially limit yourself from gaining additional growth and brand exposure for your dealership . To get you started, we’ll dive into the benefits of organizational networking, including networking opportunities your dealership can explore. We’ll also share a few pointers for effective networking. Keep reading to gain the expert tips in Commercial Truck Trader’s Guide to successful organizational networking.
The Benefits Of Organizational Networking
It’s important to keep an open mind and pursue all types of connections to get the most of your networking efforts. Different types of organizations offer their own unique benefits, depending on your goals. If you’re looking to meet prospective collaborators, you may want to consider joining an industry association.
Prominent associations, such as NTEA, host multiple trade shows and other events that provide a platform to collaborate with manufacturers, other dealerships, and sales professionals. Additionally, These events also often showcase the newest models, trends, and products, which can be used to inform your business plans.
You can also use networking as a strategy to gain support from consumer-run organizations and introduce new buyers to your dealership. Try checking in with local business associations, as they may be a good connection to include in your professional network. From there, you can even partner on community events and meet more prospective customers.
Tips For Effective Networking
Whether you’re networking with industry professionals or consumers, you’ll also want to avoid certain actions that can raise red flags to potential connections. Here are a few tips to remember:
Set Networking Goals: Before you pursue organizational networking opportunities, it will be helpful to define your goals. This will help you to build a networking strategy that gets you the right results. For instance, if you’re looking to get your dealership’s name out there, it may be a good idea to pursue sponsorship opportunities for community events. This is just one example, so take some time to figure out what will work best for your brand.
Don’t Be Too Aggressive: When networking, you’ll want to pursue potential connections in a similar manner that you would when following up with a lead. The goal is to find a mutual goal, and secure a collaboration opportunity. Make sure that you’re asking questions to get to know their mission and aspirations first, and then share your goals to see if you are a good fit.
Focus On Participation: This tip is especially important when networking with industry associations and dealer groups. In order to get the most out of your membership, you’ll need to ensure someone from your dealership is participating and active on committees, attending all events, and sponsoring events. Ensuring your dealership’s participation will help to show that you’re genuinely invested in the success of the group.
Maintain Communication: In addition to participating in events and meetings, you can utilize your communication channels connections engaged with your dealership. Email is a great way to stay in contact with your network. Also, don’t forget that social media is a popular tool that most organizations, consumers, and professionals frequently use. Make sure someone at your dealership is consistently represented on platforms like Linkedin, a social media platform for professional networking.
Overall, organizational networking is a worthwhile strategy for building relationships that can lead to productive partnerships and referrals. Now that we’ve given you some insight, you can start printing those business cards and putting Commercial Truck Trader’s organizational networking tips into action!
Want more insights to inform your dealership’s business strategy? Check the latest in dealer education on Truckmediakit.com.
