Skills, products, and team all matter, but one of the most practical tools you have costs nothing to build: your business network.
Whether you’re just starting out or running an established business, the right connections can open doors that hard work alone cannot. Referrals, advice, honest feedback, new customers, a supplier introduction: these things often come through people, not an online search.
Here’s how NZ business owners can grow and use their network well.
A network is not just a list of contacts. It’s the group of people who know you, trust you, and think of you when something relevant comes up.
A strong network can help you:
The most resilient businesses in New Zealand are often not the ones with the deepest pockets. They are the ones with the strongest relationships.
You don’t need to attend every event or be on every platform. Start with what’s in front of you.
One of the best starting points is closer than you think. Your existing customers, your neighbours in the business park, and the people you already cross paths with are all potential connections worth deepening. Face-to-face still works incredibly well in Aotearoa New Zealand, and a genuine conversation over coffee often achieves more than a month of social media activity. Business Mentors NZ events and organisations like the Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA) offer ready-made opportunities to meet other business owners in a relaxed, purposeful setting. Check our upcoming events calendar for networking opportunities near you. Aim to attend one event per quarter with a simple goal: leave with two good conversations. Regional communities have a particular advantage here. People remember faces, follow through on local connections, and tend to refer within their trusted circle.
Once your immediate network is active, the next step is expanding through it.
Rather than cold-calling or following up a stranger online, ask someone you already know: "Do you know anyone in [sector] it might be worth me speaking with?" A warm introduction is many times more likely to lead somewhere than a cold approach.
Share a useful contact, pass on a lead, or recommend someone's services before you need anything back. People remember generosity, and it makes asking feel natural when the time comes.
"I want to grow my network" is hard for anyone to act on. "I'm looking to connect with food distributors in the Waikato" gives someone something they can actually do.
LinkedIn is the most useful professional network for NZ business owners, but only if you use it actively. Posting once and waiting achieves little.
Instead, start by spending 10 minutes a week commenting on other people's posts, congratulating connections on milestones, or sharing a short insight from your own experience. Authentic, specific comments get noticed far more than polished broadcasts.
Connect with the connections of people you already know. A quick message, "I noticed we're both connected with [name]. I'd love to learn more about what you do," is simple and effective.
Your Business Mentor is one of the most under-used networking resources available to you. Most Mentors are experienced businesspeople with strong connections across their industries.
A few things to keep in mind:
An introduction from a trusted Business Mentor can fast-track a relationship that might otherwise take years to build.
Networking is not a one-off task. The business owners who benefit most treat it like any other business habit: regular, intentional, and reciprocal.
Add one networking action to your week: Reach out to a past customer; comment on a peer's post; ask your Business Mentor for a connection. Small, consistent actions compound over time into a network that genuinely supports your business.
Not yet working with a Business Mentor? Register with Business Mentors NZ and connect with an experienced mentor in your region.