I’m sure if you’ve ever been to a business seminar, or even taken a business class, you have heard of the importance of creating connections. Well, this is no joke. During my time at Ellery Partners I have learned the value of being personal and finding ways to connect with people in the industry.

The entire process is rendered useless if you cannot manage to get your foot in the door. This is true in any form of business, but for a company like Ellery, this is especially true. With millions of potential targets available the task can become daunting at times, but the payoff is immense. Of course, no one expects you to reach out to millions of potential targets. That is why the first step in the process is to narrow your search down to targets that align with you. This is an important step in the process as it not only makes your life easier, but it also makes your connection more meaningful.

The most important step in the process still hasn’t happened. That step is networking. Networking spans across every aspect of business. You will probably hear this word a billion times in your lifetime. Networking all begins with the initial outreach. With every business dealing with many competitors in their given industries, the only way to stand out is by making a memorable connection that separates you from the rest.

Throughout my time at Ellery so far, I have begun to realize the importance of standing out during the outreach process. Time and time again we have gotten responses from potential targets, telling us they only responded because the outreach was personalized and differed from the typical generic blast email they are used to. This goes for any type of business venture. If you are willing to take the time to find a connection, and utilize that connection, then you will already be ahead of your competition, and make plenty more meaningful connections. You will be surprised as to how these connections can pop up later down the road when you least expect it. That is why, by doing this process correctly, you will set yourself up for success no matter what the task at hand is.