Many of us are in different business networks; we use these networks for referrals for other jobs. Have you ever thought about using these networks to help your business? Within your networking groups are different individuals with different careers.  You have all these resources and asking someone for a little bit of help can be beneficial for you. As a small business owner you can never have to many connections with other people. In your business there can be struggles and having a good network of people will help you out in the long run.  Open Forum suggest these following rules when asking a network member for advice:

First rule is Before you ask for something, give something. It is important to give something to people in your network because it is more likely they what to help and return the favor.  Restrict your requests for advice to a person’s area of expertise, This meaning that you are risking of putting your fellow network member on the spot. The next rule is, don’t have hidden motives. This guideline explains its self, don’t try promoting yourself to other network members. Avoid potentially controversial and sensitive issues, when asking a fellow member for advice it is strictly business and don’t try to talk anything outside those lines.  The last rule is don’t ask for advice for people would normally charge you for. Don’t ask someone tow many questions or a service they usually charge people for.

A Powerful network can help you and your small business in the long run. It is good to have connections with different people and business.