Networking Strategies for Introverts

Networking strategies for introverts in business

Hi, team! It’s your friend, Mary, with the “I” in Team series where you can find, be, and build your positive influence. While it might seem surprising, I am, in fact, an introvert! Many of my team members at IA Business Advisors are indeed introverts. For those of us who might be a little quieter and shier, networking can seem really daunting. It’s difficult because we need to rely on networking no matter what job we have; networking allows us to build relationships with those in our field or those who may benefit from the services we offer. The question you have to ask yourself is, “How is anyone going to find me if I don’t network?” But fear not! We are here to help you be brave and tackle building connections. Here are our top networking strategies for introverts.

Set Realistic Goals

Many people think that the goal of networking events is to talk to as many people as possible, but that doesn’t necessarily work for introverts. Since introverts tend to enjoy deeper, more meaningful conversations with people, it can be exhausting for them to talk to a lot of people in short succession. Therefore, set realistic goals for yourself for each networking event. Focus on fostering quality connections so you don’t feel as overwhelmed. Plus, by fostering these quality connections, you build relationships where you can be recommended and introduced to people within their sphere of influence.

Prepare and Research

If your introversion is accompanied by anxiety, preparing yourself by researching can help ease those feelings. If you’re attending an event, research what the event is about and who is hosting the event. If you can, you might even research some of the people in attendance. Having this information can help make conversing easier. You can even prepare a few conversation starters or questions to help initiate discussions around what you learned during your research. Also, prepare a short, concise introduction about yourself. This can make it easier to initiate conversations without feeling overwhelmed.

Arrive Early and Attend Smaller Events

Arriving early to an event can help you ease into the environment before it becomes crowded if it’s a larger event. However, for introverts, it might be nice to find smaller events to attend. Smaller events can be less overwhelming and provide a more intimate setting to foster meaningful conversations.

Use Your Strengths

Contrary to what many people think, introverts are actually very good at communicating because they listen actively and ask appropriate questions to keep a conversation going. This is a huge skill in networking because the more you can make people feel heard, the more they will like you and trust you. Everyone wants to feel understood, and introverts generally make space for others to feel accepted and appreciated. So, stop looking at your introversion as a weakness and recognize it for all its strengths! Use your power of listening to connect with others.

Follow Up

If you follow our advice of building meaningful relationships with a few people at a time, following up with them after the event should be easy. Take a moment to send a personalized message or email to those you met at the event. This helps to build and maintain your newfound connections. If you want, you can even write a stock message and fill in some personal bits for each person to make it easy on yourself. Here is an example.

Hi [NAME]!

It was great chatting with you today [ABOUT]. I particularly enjoy the [TOPIC] and your insights into it. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you need anything. I would be more than happy to connect you with other people at [YOUR ORGANIZATION] if you like.

Chat soon!

Practice Self-Care

We have a mantra at IA Business Advisors: You can’t be your best for anyone else until you are first best for yourself. What we mean by this is that you must take care of yourself in order to exude your most positive influence onto others. Therefore, if you need to take a break at an event, do so. Find a quiet corner or step outside for a few minutes. When you get home, congratulate yourself. Recognize that networking can be challenging. You’re doing great stepping outside of your comfort zone. Be kind to yourself and acknowledge the progress you have made.

Bottom Line

Remember, networking is a skill that can be developed over time. It's about building genuine connections which is something introverts excel at. Find what works best for you and embrace your introverted qualities, such as listening and thinking deeply, as strengths. Set realistic goals and prepare for each event. Arrive early and take breaks when needed. Show yourself some love and compassion for the process of growing and remind yourself that you are not alone. There are lots of introverts out there pushing themselves to shine in an extroverted world.

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How to Mitigate Financial Risk Using the S.M.A.R.T. Management System

June 9, 2025

In an increasingly volatile economy, businesses cannot afford to be reactive when it comes to their finances. Whether you're a startup founder, a growing enterprise, or a seasoned business owner, the risk of financial instability is real—and growing. At IA Business Advisors, we help companies proactively navigate these risks using our comprehensive S.M.A.R.T. Management System . S.M.A.R.T. is more than just a goal-setting acronym. It is a decision-making and execution framework that brings clarity, structure, and alignment to every part of your business. From six-week action plans to one-year targets and long-term strategy, S.M.A.R.T. ensures your financial operations support healthy growth and resilience. Understanding Financial Risk in Today’s Business Climate Financial risk is multifaceted. It ranges from cash flow disruptions and market shifts to internal mismanagement and over-leveraged growth. As Brian Smith shared on a recent Daily Influence podcast episode, unchecked growth can drive a company into bankruptcy. Scaling without intention—chasing fast growth without aligning the internal team and financial resources—leads to diluted communication, quality issues, and operational chaos. Mitigating financial risk begins by understanding that more revenue doesn't always equal more stability. True sustainability comes from building systems that support intentional, well-paced growth. The S.M.A.R.T. Framework in Action: Reducing Financial Risk Our S.M.A.R.T. Management System guides businesses in creating resilient, financially stable operations through: 1. Specific: Build with Intentionality Clarity is power. One of our podcast guests, Mike Heatwole (CEO of The Dala Group), emphasized the importance of sitting down to define what matters most—whether that’s paying down debt, investing in growth, or launching a new venture. When your financial goals are specific, your strategy becomes targeted and less prone to reactive decision-making. “If we don’t know what the goal is, how do we get there?” — Mike Heatwole, CEO of The Dala Group 2. Measurable: Track What Matters Many companies are blindsided not by invisible risks, but by unmonitored ones. We help clients implement tools to track cash flow, margin fluctuations, and budget variances in real time. Visibility into your financial health gives you the power to respond early and course correct as needed. 3. Achievable: Assign Financial Stewardship Risk is reduced when financial responsibility is distributed. Through teamwide financial literacy and clear accountability, we empower organizations to make stronger daily decisions. No individual person should carry the entire burden—and no key area should go unmonitored. 4. Relevant: Make Risk Management a Habit Quarterly or biannual financial health check-ins create a sustainable rhythm. These don’t have to be complicated—they just need to be consistent. Regular reviews embed risk awareness into your company culture and decision-making process. 5. Timely: Foster Honest Dialogue Financial silence is a hidden threat. As Brian noted on the podcast, emotions like fear or shame can prevent businesses from facing financial realities. We encourage honest, blame-free communication around financial performance, creating space for solutions and collective action. Case in Point: Short-Term Action, Long-Term Impact One of our clients, a family-run distribution company, had strong revenue but was bleeding cash due to aging receivables. Together, we built a six-week S.M.A.R.T. Plan focused on accounts receivable recovery. We implemented weekly check-ins, assigned ownership, and used real-time tracking. Within 90 days, their outstanding A/R dropped by 22%, freeing up capital and restoring operational confidence. It’s Never Too Late to Get Financially Intentional Many leaders in their 40s, 50s, or 60s worry they’ve waited too long. But as Mike Heatwole wisely shared: “It’s never too late. Just get started. Do something.” Progress—not perfection—is the goal. Start small. Build momentum. Take the next best step. This mirrors a concept we love from The Gap and The Gain by Dan Sullivan: measure progress based on how far you've come, not just how far you have to go. Final Thoughts: Make Financial Stability a Strategy Mitigating financial risk isn’t about a dramatic overhaul. It’s about consistent action, visibility, and intentional decision-making. With the S.M.A.R.T. Management System, IA Business Advisors helps businesses turn risk into clarity, fear into focus, and instability into opportunity. If you’re ready to start, we’re ready to help. Let’s have a conversation about what matters most to you—and build from there.

Enhancing Interpersonal Relationships for Toxic Workplace Recovery

May 29, 2025

Hello, team! Mary here, continuing our journey through the I in Team series, where we challenge and empower you to Find , Be , and Build Your Influence. One of the most common things we’re asked to help our clients with is toxic workplace recovery. This directly connects to the culture of the team, and while rebuilding that culture takes time and intention, it is absolutely possible. In fact, with the guidance of our I in Team approach and S.M.A.R.T. Management system, we’ve successfully helped more than 19,000 teams evolve into high-performing, values-based cultures. If you’re ready to take the lead and breathe life back into your team, we’re here and ready to support you. Practice Emotional Intelligence One of the most impactful steps you can take on your toxic workplace recovery journey is to practice emotional intelligence (the ability to recognize, understand, and manage both your own emotions and the emotions of those around you). Toxic environments are often the result of emotional disconnection, poor communication, unnecessary competition, and a culture that avoids constructive feedback. Begin by shifting your perspective: respond with empathy, ask thoughtful questions, and use “I” statements. These habits model two traits, emotional regulation and empathy, that influence how your team interacts and solves problems. Start small. For example, set a personal goal to give one piece of sincere praise or recognition per day. This is a S.M.A.R.T. goal, and it starts to reinforce positive emotional exchanges. Over time, this contributes to a psychologically safe environment where people feel seen and supported. Foster Open Communication Once emotional intelligence begins to take root, toxic workplace recovery is just around the corner. Open communication becomes more natural because when team members are aware of their own and others’ emotions, communication becomes seamless. The number one rule? Listen. Really listen. Without listening, communication is incomplete. Try implementing monthly influence partnerships—team pairings that rotate so members can get to know each other beyond surface-level roles. This creates connection and, when done with consistency (Timely), fosters trust across your team. Another way to build open communication is by creating a structured feedback loop. Clarify how and when feedback should be given—perhaps during weekly one-on-ones or monthly review meetings—and make sure all team members understand the difference between criticism and constructive feedback. S.M.A.R.T. feedback is Specific and Relevant, and when delivered with respect, it encourages team members to grow without fear. Lead by Example As we say throughout the I in Team series, everyone is a leader regardless of title. Whether you’re in the C-suite or just starting your first job, how you show up directly shapes the culture of your team. To begin, set some respectful boundaries rooted in your values. Let others know what you need to succeed and what behaviors support or disrupt your work. When disagreements arise, demonstrate what respectful disagreement looks like—calm, focused on solutions, and free from personal attacks. If your workplace has leaned into competition, shift the focus to collaboration. Collaborate on micro-goals, like shared tasks or cross-functional projects. Make the results Measurable and celebrate wins together (publicly, if possible). Consider S.M.A.R.T.-based team-building events (like problem-solving challenges or goal-setting workshops) to reinforce collaboration in a meaningful way. Final Thoughts Toxic workplace recovery starts with you. Every interaction, every word, every moment of listening is a chance to model what’s possible. Show up the way you want others to show up. If your team is struggling to rebuild or you need expert guidance, reach out . We’re here to help. Let’s keep influencing responsibly and positively together.