It is true that we humans form a bond with those we trust, and in the process, help each other to connect. While its essence is discussed in several streams of social theories, the connections and networks forged in the business fraternity are no less significant.
The importance of network building in business cannot be underlined enough because it is a cornerstone for companies and entrepreneurs to develop lasting relationships and achieve new levels of success. A well-rounded, powerful network can help a business weather the storm in times of need and serve as a valuable resource in times for growth.
Ali Scarlett is one personality who understands the importance of forming a network very well. Ali is a national bestselling author, entrepreneur, and avid researcher of networking sociology and is the Founder of The Clever Connector. Using the wisdom and helpful information he’s gained over the years as the pathway to achieving more, Ali Scarlett has embarked on a journey of helping others attain personal empowerment.
Learning from Failures
Ali can trace his first memory of being an entrepreneur back to when he was 15 years old. It was when numerous online gurus were selling digital courses on how to make easy money and flourish in the business world. The advertisements claimed that one can learn about the secrets of entrepreneurship by joining free live webinars.
One of those days, Ali decided to take the leap and joined one of these courses. The catch was a business model named “freelance digital marketing” which he later learned was only a fancy term for “affiliate marketing”. He got scammed out of all the money he had, and experienced his first business failure.
However, the silver lining that came out of that failed business was that Ali had to find it within himself to get back up and try again. He got a job to make that money back and found that the grit to get back on track was a far more valuable gain than anything those online gurus would have taught him. From that point on, Ali Scarlett sought out more valuable pathways to his entrepreneurship.
Owning His Commitment
In his early professional days, Ali looked upon and studied entrepreneurship viewing it as some kind of a game. To him, running a business was a level where a particular style of play and tweaks would bring in twice as much money compared to the previous month. He says, “I loved the whole idea of it as a kid.” He also cites how the whole experience was better from an employees’ perspective. “I didn’t feel like you could play that game as much—or have as much fun playing it—if you were playing it as an employee.”
However, as things progressed down the line, the circumstances around Ali changed. He found himself in a place where he lost everything. “I was in a very dark place, and I didn’t know what to do.”
Ali found refuge under the guidance of mentor Lucio Buffalmano, the owner of the website The Power Moves, who helped him stand up from the ground and change his life. This guidance, support, and eye-opening moment inspired him to do for others what Buffalmano did for him.
Thereon, the transformational leader has embarked on a new journey of enlightening others with motivation, introducing The Clever Connector to the world. “I wanted to teach people how to fish. Except, instead of fishing for fish, it was fishing for health, wealth, love, and happiness.”
Such a development is also the reason why Ali’s definition of a transformational leader spreads across a broad spectrum. According to him, there are many kinds of leaders, but the type he respects the most is one that embodies that of a servant leader. He describes such a leader as one who helps themself and others so that everybody else can grow. He has always loved this idea, and that’s why he prefers to go by such a leadership class and do his best to embody that style in his own life.
Connecting the World
While the first professional touchpoint of Ali’s entrepreneurship was being scammed by falsely advertised courses, he experienced the power of being connected when he was in high school, helping his friends with their relationships. While it felt good when everyone turned to him for advice, the whole experience helped him become better at mentoring others and helped him learn from their mistakes as he was learning from his own.
Fast forward to today, Ali still believes that, at its core, networking is simply relationship-building. According to him, while it can undoubtedly help in personal things, it can do wonders for a professional life. He says, “Outside of what networking can do for your social life, networking cannot be emphasized enough as important for business growth.”
Ali further clarifies how many businesses owners network by looking for client relationships, leads, and sales. In his dictionary, that’s low-level networking because it only results in the linear growth of the business.
Hence, if one seeks exponential growth, then the focus must be on two main areas; leadership development and innovative campaigns. In his own words, “If you’re a business owner, you should really be focusing on networking with the people who hold influence over large pools of your target market. And, build relationships with the mentors who can make you into the kind of leader who can build a company that scratches off your business and life goals.”
Acknowledging the Weakness
While the path and motivation to make the world a better place came to him with some obstacles, his biggest hurdle was his internal battle. Ali names his struggle “nice guy syndrome” where he thought he could be an all-around nice guy and still make it. However, it was never the case, and he often found himself at the helm of others at a disadvantage. “The person I was didn’t receive respect or fairness from others and got taken advantage of,” he explains.
Unfortunately, the most challenging part of this struggle was witnessing people close to him behaving in a similar way because they watched Ali accept that kind of behavior, which led them to feel like it was acceptable to take that kind of behavior as well. “I hated watching that,” he recalls.
Hence, Ali acknowledged his weakness and decided to carry himself with more balance between his friendly and assertive attitude. He chose to present himself to the world as someone worthy of fair treatment and respectful communication. “Hopefully, anyone who looks up to me will do the same and avoid being treated terribly.”
Spilling the Secrets
While aspiring and upcoming entrepreneurs can certainly learn to stand up for themselves, there are some other aspects that can also be learned from Ali’s professional journey. There are three core areas where Ali would want newcomers to focus.
The first one is to avoid bad debt, waiting too long to build credit and everything they need to know which is not taught in school.
Secondly, some circumstances in life are unavoidable, and that’s where one needs to focus on things that can be changed. He says, “You can’t snap your fingers and change where you are, of course, but I believe you can change where you’re going so you can be in a better place tomorrow.” Ali was able to mold his way through guidance and feels privileged and blessed enough to help others create better tomorrows for themselves as well.
And, lastly, Ali Scarlett wants aspiring entrepreneurs to learn from their mistakes and apply what they know. “Always go for it and do your best, no matter the situation. And, use what you learn to make your best better.”
