Successful networking and relationship-building are cornerstones to success as a factoring broker, and we have all found client accounts that were referred to us simply because we were at the right place, at the right time, and with the right knowledge to earn a sale. It’s common that, although someone we are close with has no need for financing right now, we also find over and over again that that person knows of someone starting a new business in need of cash or a relative or similar who needs a business loan. The important thing is this. For brokers and consultants dialed into making a successful career in the business, it is vitally important for you to build lasting relationships that will provide the opportunity to have that business come your way.
Building such relationships is not only easy but also fun, especially if you get involved in an enjoyable sport or hobby with others of similar interests. Here are eight (8) sports and hobbies you can get engaged in right now that will get you off the couch watching Kardashians, elevate you to meet more people, and allow you to begin building relationships that will move you into commission-earning mode.
Join a Gym
This is one of the easiest hobbies or sports you can employ to meet dozens of interesting people. It is a low-cost membership that also has a great additional benefit. It will improve your health and your work habits. Once you make this move, don’t just join any old gym. It’s good for your health, but remember what one of your main goals is….relationships. Make certain the gym you join has a “good” membership. Look for a gym with interesting programs you can join (such as yoga or even martial arts) where you can meet and develop great new friendships.
Start Jogging and Join a Running Club
Running is a great way to shed those extra pounds while boosting your overall health. It will also elevate your confidence and fight periodic depression, two important benefits for all freelance consultant who set their own goals and work long hours but also face periodic times when everything does not go your way.
When we are talking jogging, we are talking ways to make it an event that bares additional fruit. There are numerous ways such as running clubs, marathons, and even runner “singles clubs” that will provide you with a bonanza of opportunities to meet and build dozens of solid relationships quickly.
Take Some Scuba Diving Lessons
For individuals who have always dreamed of exploring reefs in crystal clear waters, what about taking a SCUBA class? Getting involved in this sport requires upfront training from certified instructors. In most cases, you will find training locally, but you can also earn your certification while visiting some exceptionally beautiful exotic islands. No matter how you get your training, you will then begin to enjoy one of the most beautiful sports available, which is a great way to build friendships and relationships while also enjoying vacation travel.
Become a Kayaker
Kayaking has become a huge sport that will provide endless opportunities to meet others and build relationships through networking. Kayaking, as a sport, appeals to almost any age. Someone can build this sport around “adventure,” and it can be as easy or as hard as you make it. It’s also a fantastic family activity, and because of this, you can bring your children and your spouse, and virtually everyone will be okay.
Kayaks can be used for fishing in a beautiful slow-moving stream or alternatively provide a day of excitement on rapids and small waterfalls. Nearly all cities have multiple clubs featuring opportunities for networking. Angling groups are exceptionally popular, and well-attended fishing tournaments are even held routinely.
Join a Yoga Group
This is a great physical practice that also provides great mental benefits for people of all ages. And, if you’re going through an illness, recovering from surgery or living with a chronic condition, yoga can become an integral part of your treatment and potentially hasten healing. Don’t forget. Many instructors offer private lessons, but what you want here is a “group.” You’ll benefit greatly from learning yoga, but building a few relationships will also benefit you greatly. In fact, if you join a gym, as we suggested earlier, you will almost assuredly find some yoga training affiliated with that gym. Yoga can help with arthritis pain, provide benefits for heart health, help you sleep, and manage your stress levels.
Take a Fly Fishing Course
Fishing is a great way to build close relationships with others and will go hand-in-hand with your new kayaking skills. There are all types of fish and fishing, but one of the most “artful” types of fishing is fly fishing. Fly fishing is characterized as the use of specialty tackle to cast small (often created with your hands) lures in a bid to catch the types of sport fish that feed predominantly just below the water’s surface. Learning fly fishing is an art, and you will need some instruction, such as through 160-year-old Orvis Outfitters. This is a great way to meet others in your locality or wrap your instruction around a great vacation. Fly fishing will serve you well in meeting hundreds of others who share your interests and will be valued future friends over time.
Sign Up for an Archery Course
Archery is a time-tested sport, but a lot of archers are quite overwhelmed when they first take up the sport. You will notice that archery is a lot harder than you thought initially, and you might believe that you will never learn it. Don’t worry, though; a lot of new archers experience this. It just takes a while to learn the technique. In fact, it typically takes about 2 months to learn how to properly shoot a bow. Once you’re in the sport, however, you will find unlimited opportunities through local clubs and meets. This is considered to be a “cool sport” and one that is not too costly to enter. Check out the size of local clubs to gauge the opportunities present for networking and relationship building.
Take a Driving School
We saved this for last simply because it is expensive, but as for opportunities for networking and relationship building, almost nothing else comes close. When we are talking about “Driving School“, we are talking about performance driving training such as that provided by Skip Barber Racing School, And there are several types and kinds that you can choose from. For example, some driving schools feature training on daily vehicles such as professionally tuned Ford Mustangs or Chevrolet Corvettes. Other classes or schools will use open-wheel Formula racing cars for their introduction to performance training. No matter what you choose, be prepared to meet some unique individuals as classmates and maybe even a few movie stars. Additionally, this type of school/hobby will introduce you to the world of cars, specifically collector vehicles, which open incredible doors. Opportunities for building relationships in this area are exceptional.
