When joining the workforce, most of us are taught that building a network is not only crucial to growing your career but it also ensures that you create long term partnerships. That is the case, but do we really know how to leverage the networking space? Networking goes beyond swapping business cards at events, it’s about using your connections wisely and with great strategy for the best possible outcome.
The first step would be to identify the type of network you want to build and ask yourself the following questions:
- Who are the people that I want to create relationships with?
- Where do they meet and network?
- How can I get into those spaces?
Once you are clear about the network you want to build and have made it into events/spaces where you can meet them, its important to have a clear vision of how you want to present yourself to the potential network. Do your research and understand who you are approaching and how it will be mutually beneficial to you and the other party. Treat network building like a pitch and prepare accordingly, so that when you engage with people you are clear about what being part of your network is all about.
After you are clear about your approach, then make sure you have high quality business cards or forms of getting in touch with you, there’s nothing worse than saying all the right things without the professionalism needed to back it up. Ensure that the information to you give out is uniform throughout your personal communication avenues for e.g. if your business card says ‘leadership coach’ make sure your website/social media represents that fact. You need to walk the walk and talk the talk.
One of the biggest mistakes people make after a successful networking session, is to keep the business cards for too long without using them. If one of your potential partners asks you to reach out to them, don’t give it a week before you reach out, do it the following day while you are fresh on their minds, people are busy and will forget about you, so reach out and show them that you are serious.
The other important element is networking etiquette, at networking events people tend to be excited and willing to say that they want to network but after contacting them, they ghost you. In situations like this I advise that you leave them alone, do not bombard them with calls or emails, if they don’t respond to you, its clear that they don’t want to be part of your network. Let it go and deal with people that are serious about joining your network.
Finally, consistency is key. Just like any relationship, you need to maintain your network for it to be fruitful and for it to grow. One meeting after a networking event isn’t enough to build a solid foundation, remember these things don’t happen overnight, so expecting one networking session to be enough will lead to disappointment. In closing the size of your network is irrelevant, you can have a small network, and it can be successful, focus on quality over quantity.
About Brian Mhlanga
Brian is a leadership and organizational development practitioner with more than 12 years of experience working in higher education, finance, project management, international relations, communications, and advocacy. Brian is currently a senior lecturer at Milpark Business School.
