In business, there is no room for wallflowers. While you might not be an extrovert, you won’t get very far if you don’t make the effort to speak to others. You won’t gain new clients, win over new customers, or forge professional relationships with your staff members and other business owners.

If you want your startup to succeed, you need to push yourself out of your comfort zone, especially if that comfort zone is the relative safety of your own office.

Gain New Clients and Customers

Sure, you could send out promotional materials, create a decent looking website, and let your marketing team do all of the hard work when it comes to promoting your business. But what could you do? A traditional way to market your business, but still very effective, is to concentrate on face-to-face marketing. Where are your customers? Where are your clients? Hint: they are probably not sat in your office with you!

So, get along to trade events, and showcase your business with the aid of exhibition stand design companies to attract people to your corner. Walk around these events armed with your business cards, and make the effort to approach others. Carry your promotional items with you, wherever you go, and strike up a conversation with the people you meet on the bus, on the train, or sat near you in your local coffee shop. You are the face of your business, so show people your face, not only on billboards or your business website, but in person, so they can listen to what you have to offer them.

Network with Other Business Owners

If another business owner can benefit you, find ways to network with them. It might be as simple as picking up the phone and arranging  a meeting with them. Or you might attend local business events and conferences, especially those that attract business owners working within your industry. Say hello, share ideas, and create a relationship. By making friends in business, you will have somebody you can turn to for support and advice. You might secure discounts on their services. You might partner with them to grow your business. And you might have something to offer them, especially if they are new in business. Lend a hand of support, and they might one day support you when you need them, in whatever capacity that might be.

Spend Time with Your Staff Members

Take that ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign down from your door, especially if you’re not particularly busy. If you want your business to be a success, and if you have staff working under you, then you need to make the effort to spend time with them. Be a listening ear when they have a problem, as you might be able to help them. Offer personal training to them to help them grow within their jobs. Challenge them if you need to, especially when they aren’t performing adequately. And be an encourager, as you will then improve their morale. In each of these areas, your staff will be more productive, because of the efforts you have made to speak to and spend time with them.

So, we say again. In business, there is no room for wallflowers. Without effort on your part, you will miss out on promotional opportunities. You won’t have the support of other business owners. And your staff won’t be as effective in their job roles. You don’t have to be a social butterfly, but you do need to get out of your office and spend time with any person who will ultimately benefit your business.