Networking is not just a simple concept or skill, it is one of the backbones of success in all areas of life, mainly the professional area. Nowadays, it is a well-acknowledged skill that is being taught and developed.
Networking brings added value serving as a door opener for new opportunities and challenges. Whether you need to develop your career, learn a new skill, gain more business and social intelligence, or maximize your chances of success in your current job, you might need to consider developing your networking skills.
According to a survey run on LinkedIn in 2016, 70% of new employees had a connection with someone from the company they were hired to work for. This is a clear proof that referrals play a key role in recruitment.
Networking may indeed sound easy and natural for some people especially extroverted individuals. Yet, anyone can acquire this valuable skill regardless of his nature and social skills.
Developing any skill starts with acknowledging our level in it. Maybe you are already an extrovert, and you just need to put a little bit of effort into networking. Or maybe you are an introvert, and it is more difficult for you to create new connections. Nevertheless, it is always possible to improve with practice and discipline. There are a few steps that may help to develop our network.
First, the development of any skill starts with a good plan and a well-defined plan starts with a goal. You need to start defining your goal when it comes to networking, maybe you would like to start a career in politics or a new professional project or maybe you need to find a new job.
Once your goal is defined, you need to consider the available networking occasions that are at your disposal.
You might have weekly or daily meetings with your customers or team members, you might also have some events scheduled occasionally. Developing your networking skills should ideally start with relying on the already available opportunities. You may start by participating actively in team meetings.
Try to prepare for them in advance and do not hesitate to share your opinion or any useful suggestion or information this will make you feel noticed and at the same time it will you the opportunity to connect further with your colleagues and customers and bring added value.
Moreover, do not hesitate to evoke some personal topics while maintaining respect and discretion. You don’t have to be too insistent or touch sensitive topics. All you need is to break the ice and make the conversation more interesting.
Another great tip to develop your network is to adapt a routine that offers you more opportunities to connect with others. Usual acts like going to the gym and participating in social and professional events may seem simple but they may offer you numerous opportunities to connect with others if you decide to.
Adapting friendly body language and being an active listener may be of great help as well. A friendly body language would make you feel more appealing and active listening is very well-appreciated by everyone. Ideally, you need to prepare in advance for your networking events and try to collect in advance information about the events you are planning to attend.
You need to know the type of individuals that would assist: Their key interests, culture, positions, etc… Ideally, you would need to commit to making at least 5 new connections in each event you attend. Try to maintain friendly body language, and a confident posture, to introduce yourself and to start conversations with new people.
Try asking open-ended questions to make the conversation more interesting and try avoiding Yes/No questions as they might keep you from going further in your conversation. By the end of each conversation try to exchange contact information to be able to follow up later. The magic formula for networking lies in investigating, engaging, and following up: Investigating your potential networking opportunities: What kind of people are you going to meet in your next event or gathering? What are their interest? What is their culture or communication style?
Investigation is followed by engaging with others following all the useful tips that can take your new connection to the next level and the final step is follow-up which requires discipline and commitment. The more you do so, the more you train your brain to become automatically skillful at networking.
Furthermore, Networking should not be limited to professional events or meetings, it should be extended to social events and gatherings. It should be also part of your lifestyle. Whenever there is an opportunity to connect with new people whether it is at work, with family, or with friends go for it.
The more you practice improving your networking experience, the more it becomes natural.
All things considered; networking is the best proof of the importance of human exchange. The social life is based on sharing, exchanging ideas and knowledge, and supporting one another. The human being is a social creature by nature and cannot live on his own. Thus, he needs to take advantage of networking to upgrade in all areas of life.