Words, Ideas, StuffSome ideas and thoughts, captured with the view to help you.
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Words, Ideas, StuffSome ideas and thoughts, captured with the view to help you.
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We are well and truly in times of technology, which means connections and networking are all the more important. This applies to both our personal lives and our professional working lives. Within a business context, connections are the threads of the organisation that make it what it is. The links people have together, the people we know, and the people our coworkers and bosses know, all come back to make the organisation what it is. Therefore, it is important that whether we are stepping into our career, or advancing through it, we are creating, and sustaining, relationships and building rapports with people.
Connections are important in our careers because they encapsulate what an organisation is. An organisation could not occur without people, and people could not establish, operate, or do business in an organisation without connections with other people. Therefore, in this way, business is connections, and connections are business. These two elements intersect with each other. This means that within our professional lives, we need to ensure we have positive and meaningful relationships with others. Although such connections can form in real-life situations, they can also be established through online networking. One of the most widely used platforms for business connections is LinkedIn. This platform allows us to create our own professional profiles, outline our experiences, and connect with other people. The visibility of these connections to other users provides us with the opportunity to harness our networks, as well as the groups and brands we align with, to advance our careers. For example, a graduate student on the job hunt might have a connection within their desired industry. This connection could provide them with guidance, advice, and potentially open doors for opportunities. However, making connections, and sustaining them, can seem like a daunting task. The apprehension that often accompanies socializing at events, coupled with navigating the waters and norms of LinkedIn, can be intimidating. There are several approaches below that we can incorporate to overcome these challenges, establishing positive, enduring connections. 1) Attend Networking Events: Going to events can provide opportunities to make in-person connections (yes - we are encouraging you to get out there and have some cheeky work drinks!). This can allow you to step out of your comfort zone and talk to someone new. You could begin doing this by asking them some questions about who they are, what they like to do, and where they are in their career. #Tip: prepare a couple of questions in advance so you are comfortable breaking the ice. Eg: Hi, I’m Lucy from XYZ …. What was it about this event that prompted you to come along?” 2) Use LinkedIn: Your knowledge and ability to use LinkedIn can improve with practice. The first step is simply crafting an account, designing it around your personal brand and experience, and connecting with some people you know. Practice makes perfect! #Tip: there are a tonne of resources on how to create a great LinkedIn profile and plan content so commit to a date when you want yours cranking, prep your content, share it, then connect and comment on other’s related posts. 3) Reach Out: Ask someone out for a chat over coffee, or Zoom, to build a rapport with them. You could try to discover some common interests or shared goals, which can help establish and strengthen the relationship. It is important to create a mutually beneficial relationship, you could do this by offering your support or assistance, as reciprocity can also contribute to sustaining and strengthening the relationship. #Tip: set aside one ‘coffee spot’ each month to reach out to new people or follow up with the person you met at the networking event. If you find this challenging, having a plan can help you stay on track and not use the old ‘I don’t have time’ excuse 4) Follow Up: After meeting new people or making online connections, remember to follow up. You could send a thank-you message or express your interest in staying in touch. Taking care of your connections can aid them to remain active and meaningful. #Tip: if you say in the meeting you will do something, your credibility is resting on that so be sure to do what you say you will. 5) Maintain Consistency: Sustaining connections involves more than just initial contact. You should continue engaging with your connections by regularly checking in, offering assistance, or expressing your interest in their work and life. #Tip: like #3 above, plan time in your week for relationship building or networking, or set a goal to have 10 catch ups every 6 months, “what gets measured gets managed” is true! Overall, making and maintaining connections is a skill that improves with practice. After all, it really is about "not what you know, but who you know" - in personal and professional environments, connections can make all the difference! Check out one of our other posts if you're interested in reading more about the ins and outs of networking!
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AuthorMelissa Davies Archives
January 2024
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