The Top 5 Reasons Every Restaurant Owner Needs to NETWORK.
- 86 YOURSELF: In other words, remove yourself from the kitchen. In a business where there is always something else to do, schedule yourself purposeful breathers. One to two hours away is a rejuvenating chance to de-stress. Remember, the best ideas and opportunities arrive where we least expect them.
- BENCHMARK: Choose professional networking events hosted by other restaurants. Observe their success/failure, gather marketing literature, watch the staff, and try out the menu. This owner/operator promoted their business to obtain this positive event at their restaurant. How could you do the same?
- BECOME A FISHBOWL: Gather business cards of folks you hit it off with. Ask permission to add to your email list. Communicate a special message to attendees of the event with a particular promotion that week.
- OPPORTUNITY: Attend the top profile networking events in your city. Many networking events are filled with “leeches” looking for leads. Don’t be a leach but get to events with influential people. Meeting a lawyer, pharmaceutical rep, or other professional who commonly dines and caters for clients is far more valuable that meeting the occasional diner dater. Events not focused specifically on restaurants are likely to have less people to prey on you and are more likely to host business professionals or potential restaurant service providers who are “more professional”
- VALUE: Many professional networking groups are willing to barter services for membership. Exchanging food and beverage service for the benefits described above allow you to purchase marketing opportunities at a fraction of the cost of other businesses. Use your ability to turn food into money to your advantage.
