Whether you’ve been in business for a while or are a relatively new start-up, business isn’t all plain sailing. It can be extremely long hours and lots of hard work and, with small home-based businesses on the rise, it can also be lonely.
Our friends and family can’t always fully support us, as they may not understand the dilemmas we face. This is where bringing together a support group can be so important to your business success.
Help and understanding
The biggest benefit you will get from a support group is the advice and help from other people in similar situations.
You can discuss the problems you are having and glean helpful information and advice about those things you’re aspiring to achieve.
Having likeminded people around you will also get you to raise your own desires and expectations, giving you the opportunity to find a role model or mentor that can help you achieve them.
Networking and social interaction
Working from home can make you quite antisocial. You get so used to being on your own and dealing with everything through your computer, that you withdraw into your own little world.
Getting away from your home environment can really blow away the cobwebs and give your creativity a huge boost – so look to find a business network in your local area. If there isn’t one, why not start your own?
Potential JV and partnership opportunities
Support groups also give you the opportunity to grow and expand your business, through joint ventures and partnership opportunities.
As you interact with the people in your group, the chances are you will find people in similar or complementing businesses that would be open to the chance to grow their own business too.
As you can see, support groups can really help you push your business to the next level. If you cannot find a local group in your area, why not start your own?
Connect with a few people on social media first, and then see if you can move it from a virtual group to a physical one?
How many support groups are you currently a part of? What have you found to be the biggest benefit for you? If you’re not currently in a group, what is stopping you from joining one? Why not share your thoughts and opinions in the comments box below.
