Networking

The Art of Networking

While the science behind networking provides a solid foundation, there's no denying that building meaningful relationships requires a certain level of artistry:

The Art of relationship building : Building relationships with others involves developing trust, rapport, and a sense of mutual benefit. This requires active listening, asking thoughtful questions, and finding common ground. Also see Emotional Intelligence in the Science of Networking.

Authenticity : Being genuine and authentic is essential for building trust and rapport with others. This means being vulnerable, open-minded, and willing to learn from others.

Creativity : Finding creative ways to connect with others, such as through shared interests or passions, can help establish a deeper level of understanding.

Patience : Building meaningful relationships takes time and patience. It's essential to avoid rushing the process and focus on developing genuine connections.

Curiosity : Maintaining a sense of curiosity and openness allows you to stay engaged with others and continuously learn from their experiences.

The Science of Networking

From a scientific perspective, networking involves several key components:

Personal Branding : Your personal brand is how others perceive you based on your online presence, reputation, and overall image. This includes your LinkedIn profile, social media accounts, and even your business card (is adding a QR code to my business card tech savvy or just a tad ostentatious?)

Content Creation : Creating valuable content, such as blog posts, articles, or videos, is essential for establishing yourself as an expert in your field. This can help attract potential connections and establish your credibility.

Emotional Intelligence : Developing emotional intelligence allows you to better understand others' perspectives, empathize with their challenges, and build stronger connections.

Information Sharing : Sharing valuable information with others is a key aspect of networking. This can include sharing relevant articles, research findings, or industry insights.

Follow-Up : Following up with new connections is crucial for building momentum and establishing a strong foundation for future interactions.

Company Research Agent

Networking goals

• Identify the type of role or industry you're targeting.

• Clarify what you want to achieve from networking (e.g., getting hired, finding mentors, gathering industry insights).

• Set specific, measurable goals for your networking efforts.

Elevator Pitch

• Develop a concise, 30-second summary of your background, skills, and career aspirations.

• Practice your pitch until it feels natural and confident.

• Be prepared to tailor your pitch to different audiences or situations.

Build an online profile

• Create or update your LinkedIn profile to showcase your professional brand.

• Ensure your other social media profiles are professional and consistent with your personal branding.

• Use online platforms like Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to share relevant content and engage with industry professionals.

9 Pillars to grow your network

Industry events

• Research local and national events related to your industry or job function.

• Register for webinars, workshops, and conferences that align with your goals.

• Prepare thoughtful questions and engaging topics to discuss with attendees.

• Follow up with new contacts via email or LinkedIn within a few days.

Volunteer

• Research organizations related to your industry or job function.

• Look for volunteer opportunities that align with your goals and values.

• Attend meetings, events, and networking sessions for these organizations.

• Participate in online forums, groups, or communities focused on your area of interest.

Nurture naturally

• Follow up with new contacts via email or phone to continue the conversation.

• Share relevant content, articles, or industry news to demonstrate your expertise.

• Offer advice or guidance when someone asks for it (e.g., by sharing a helpful resource).

• Suggest getting together for coffee or a meeting to continue discussing common interests.

• Set aside time each week to focus on networking activities (e.g., one hour per day).

• Prioritize consistent effort over sporadic, intense efforts.

• Be prepared to adapt your approach as you learn what works best for you.

• Be authentic, genuine, and respectful in all your interactions.

• Keep track of your networking efforts using a spreadsheet or CRM tool to ensure you're following up with new contacts and maintaining relationships.

• Be patient and persistent – growing a professional network takes time and effort.

Proactivity & reliability

• Reach out to friends, family, colleagues, and acquaintances in your desired field.

• Ask for introductions or referrals to people in their network.

• Offer to help others in your network (e.g., by sharing an article or making an introduction).

• Be respectful of people's time and only ask for favors when you can reasonably repay them.

Start warm

Real You, Real Deal

• Involves a deliberate and systematic approach to connecting with people who can help achieve specific goals or objectives.

• Often involves attending formal networking events, conferences, or workshops where attendees are encouraged to exchange contact information and discuss business interests.

• May include using online platforms, apps, or tools designed specifically for networking (e.g., LinkedIn groups, Slack channels).

• Typically involves setting clear goals and targets for the networker, such as a specific number of connections to be made within a certain timeframe.

• Can be more efficient and effective in achieving short-term goals, but may require more effort and planning upfront.

Organic or Natural Networking

• Focuses on building genuine relationships and connections with people who share similar interests, values, or goals.

• Often occurs organically through shared experiences, commonalities, or natural interactions.

• May involve informal gatherings, social events, or online communities where people connect and collaborate without a predetermined agenda.

• Can be more flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances and priorities.

• Typically relies on word-of-mouth referrals, trust, and reputation.

• Can lead to unexpected opportunities and collaborations.

Structured Networking

Differences between structured and organic networking

Intent:

Organic networking is often driven by personal interests or shared values, while structured networking is focused on achieving specific professional goals.

Format:

Organic networking can occur through informal channels, whereas structured networking typically involves formal events or online platforms.

Speed:

Structured networking can be faster and more efficient in terms of building connections, as it often involves a clear agenda and a focus on specific goals. Organic networking may take longer to develop, but can lead to deeper, more meaningful relationships.

Relevance:

Organically grown networks are often more relevant to the individual's interests or values, while structured networks may prioritize quantity over quality (i.e., collecting business cards rather than building genuine connections).

Flexibility:

Organic networking tends to be more flexible and adaptable, as it is driven by personal interactions and relationships. Structured networking can be more rigid, as it is often bound by specific rules or protocols.

Ultimately, both approaches have their strengths and weaknesses. A balanced approach that combines the benefits of organic and structured networking may be the most effective way to build a strong professional network.

Hybrid Approach:

Consider combining elements from both approaches:

• Attend formal events and online platforms (structured) while also fostering genuine relationships and connections through shared interests, values, or experiences (organic).

• Set clear goals for your networking efforts (structured), but also prioritize building trust and rapport with others (organic).

By blending the best of both worlds, you can create a network that is strong, relevant, and adaptable to changing circumstances.

Influence Network

A more advanced concept within networking is the concept of influence maps or influence networks where you map out people in your network indicating the strength of their relationships or connections and the mode or nature of the influence they have on each other. Then using this map, you can develop strategies on how to expand your network. For example, in the graphic below connections are indicated by an arrow. A one-way arrow means the individual has direct influence on the other person and a two-way arrow means they can influence each other. The strength of the relationship or influence is indicated by the strength of the arrow and the colour denotes what is the nature of the influence or relationship - in this case it illustrates if the relationship is based on a mentoring, frriendship or expertise basis.

So, let's say we are the lady with the red shirt in the centre of the graphic above and we decide that we need to establish a mentoring relationship with an individual (represented here as an orange circle at 4 o'clock). When we map out our influence network we see that there are a couple of people in our network map who have a relationship with our 'target' individual. However, we don't have a direct relationship with those people - but others in our network do. In fact, we have a mentoring relationship with one person (at 2 o'clock) who is a mentor to another person, who in turn has a relationship based on expertise with our 'target' individual.

Similarly, we have a relationship based on expertise sharing with another person (at 6 o'clock), who in turn has a mentoring relationship with someone who has an expertise-based relationship with our target individual. We can now ask those two people in our network to facilitate an introduction to the two individuals who have a direct relationship with our 'target' individual, based on the value of the mentoring and expertise sharing they have enjoyed with us. We can, in turn, build relationships with those two people to finally get an introduction to our 'target', provided we demonstrate that we can bring value to that conversation. In this instance we might choose to spend more time developing a relationship with our contact at 2 o'clock because we have a stronger relationship with them and also because this relationship is based on the same modality (mentoring) as the one we are hoping to establish with our 'target'. In this way we can adopt a strategic approach to networking and ensure that our time is well spent.

Start local then go global!

To create a good network, it's essential to identify and connect with key individuals who can help facilitate connections across different regions and industries. These "nodes" serve as gatekeepers to new opportunities and resources.

To do this, we can incorporate the 9 pillars to achieve:

Local Expansion: Leverage your existing network by engaging with local organizations, events, and professionals in your area. Attend conferences, join local chambers of commerce or industry-specific groups, and participate in online forums.

Regional Focus: Identify specific regions that align with your goals and interests. Research key players, thought leaders, and influencers in those areas. Reach out to them through social media, email, or phone calls.

Global Connection: Attend international conferences, join global networking organizations, or participate in online forums focused on your industry or niche. This will help you establish connections with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Content Strategies: Develop a content strategy by sharing valuable insights, research, or expertise through blog posts, articles, podcasts, or videos. Utilize social media platforms to amplify your message and engage with others.

Cultivate Relationships: Foster meaningful relationships by scheduling regular check-ins, offering advice or guidance, and demonstrating genuine interest in the people you're connecting with.

Monitor Progress: Regularly track your progress, adjust your strategy as needed, and maintain a positive attitude towards building connections.

Accordingly, you'll be well on your way to expanding your networking approach from local to global, increasing your opportunities for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and potential partnerships.

Remember, the key is to find common ground with others, build meaningful relationships, and consistently demonstrate value through your actions.