Business Networking in the Internet Era

Effective communication is the cornerstone of any successful business, and will help to ensure that the aims and objectives of the company are achieved with a little more ease. But whilst the need for any company to be built on the basis of ‘clear communication’ and ‘teamwork’ is emphasised almost to the point of becoming a clich? in many business circles, there is a very good reason why this is the case, and that is time equals money.

Of course, most companies are well aware of the positive impact that effective communication has, both on the immediate working environment and subsequently on the company profits. However, the building of strong external relationships is every bit as important — if not more so — for a successful business as this is where the money ultimately comes from.

Indeed, any successful business relationship is based on trust. In days gone by, this trust would be gained gradually through business networking, where like-minded people would meet to discuss business opportunities and exchange ideas. But this could often prove too difficult or costly to do on a regular basis, especially if the parties involved lived in different cities or countries.

With the advent of the Internet era, however, this has all changed. Businesses can now collaborate far more easily and cost-effectively, as it allows any number of people in any location to operate in real-time, from the same platform and with access to the same information. In other words, a virtual business community can now exist, 24-hours a day and with next to no costs involved.

Moreover, ‘e-collaboration’ is based on very similar principals to that of the traditional ‘teamwork’ ethos, whereby existing or potential trading partners work together through the Internet to exchange information about each other and determine how they can be of use to each other whilst simultaneously strengthening their relationship.

The internet has helped many businesses set up a global reach; that is to say, it has enabled them to compete far more effectively with other, larger companies by establishing a presence on the international market. Not only are these businesses able to network and set-up links with the fast-growing Asian and African markets, but they can communicate and coordinate activities for next to no cost too. Thanks to technology such as instant messaging and voice over internet protocol (VOiP) software among other tools.

Ultimately, business networking opportunities are greater than ever thanks to the World Wide Web. Dedicated online business communities that merge the principals and technologies of social networking and e-commerce sites now exist, providing a forum for companies and clients to interact and discover a little more about each other.

Not only is this a fast, efficient and cost-effective way of building business relationships, but it is a necessary tool for any company seeking to grow on the domestic or global markets.

Bian Salins is the Managing Editor of BT Tradespace — an online community where businesses can advertise and sell products & services and everyone has the opportunity to shop, chat and share their opinion.