3 Proven Reasons Why Professional Networking is Necessary
The Eastern Minority Supplier Development Council (EMSDC) is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization and an affiliate of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), the largest national organization whose certification is uniformly recognized by Corporate America. Our primary focus area includes Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, and Delaware, connecting minority-owned businesses (Asian, Black, Hispanic, and Native American) with member corporations committed to supplier diversity and development.
For over 50 years, we’ve created “connections between minority business enterprises (MBEs) and corporations, MBEs and the public sector, and MBEs and other MBEs, to help them benefit from each other, stoking entrepreneurship and growing wealth for these systematically excluded communities.” Today, let’s discuss proven reasons why professional networking is necessary.
Endless Opportunities
In a recent article, LinkedIn reported that, “Connectivity is at an all-time high, and networking is critical to expanding your brand or developing yourself in a professional setting.” As an entrepreneur, networking allows you to not only widen your reach and build trusted relationships, but it also produces a wealth of opportunities. According to LinkedIn, “When you network with people and start building connections, those connections also connect you with their connections. The opportunities are endless…”
Mutual Benefits
Forbes notes that, “Networking is not only about trading information, but also serves as an avenue to create long-term relationships with mutual benefits.” Having an avenue to get noticed, exchange ideas and information, access educational and awards opportunities, make valuable business connections, and form a strong support system with other MBEs is worth its weight in gold. The 23 regional affiliates of NMSDC, including EMSDC, help to provide this avenue.
Brighter Future
Last month, Penn State University published a report on how networking skills can benefit college students both now and later, stating that professional networking solidifies “strong professional connections while opening numerous opportunities for the future.” Harvard Business Review adds that, “In today’s world, networking is a necessity. A mountain of research shows that professional networks lead to more job and business opportunities, broader and deeper knowledge, improved capacity to innovate, faster advancement, and greater status and authority.”
NMSDC has established a vast network of MBEs and corporate members across the country, including many of America’s top companies, universities, hospitals and other institutions with supply-chain needs. EMSDC, alongside NMSDC’s regional affiliates nationwide, is working to ensure our 15,000+ certified MBEs reach their full potential with our 1,700+ corporate members. For more information on certification, including benefits, criteria, and the certification process, click here. For information on corporate membership, including benefits and how to become a member, click here. To learn more about the Eastern Minority Development Council, click here to visit our website, or contact us at info@emsdc.org.
The Eastern Minority Supplier Development Council (EMSDC), a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, is an affiliate of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC). We certify and connect minority-owned businesses (Asian, Black, Hispanic, and Native American) throughout Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and Delaware with member corporations that want to purchase their products, services and solutions. Our mission is to stimulate and support the economic development of minority-owned businesses and to better align them with corporations in an effort to initiate growth and opportunity through Supplier Diversity channels.