Productive networking leads to the achievement of mutually beneficial outcomes. Here are five ways to engage in productive networking.
Professionals generally acknowledge the importance of networking as a tool for career development. According to Professors Tiziana Casciaro, Francesca Gino and Maryam Kouchakiv,
Professional networks lead to more job and business opportunities, broader and deeper knowledge, improved capacity to innovate, faster advancement, and greater status and authority.
The above quotation from the Harvard Business Review article “Learn to Love Networking,” highlights the importance of networking as an effective career strategy. So, whether you are looking for a new job, starting a new business or planning to move into a new career direction, networking is vital to your success. But beyond networking for the sake of it, how do we ensure that networking leads to the achievement of our career goals? This article suggests ways to engage in productive networking.
1.To Engage in Productive Networking: Define your objectives for networking
To set a clear target upon which you can measure success or failure, everyone needs to identify the objectives for networking? What do you aim to achieve from networking? By defining what you intend to accomplish through networking, it is easier to decide which individuals or groups should be the target of your networking. This makes it easier to determine the benefits you are likely to gain by networking with the individuals and groups and the value you can provide to the networking group. This saves you valuable time and resources put into servicing unproductive relationships and networking communities.
2. Connect with the right individuals, groups or networking communities
The purpose of networking is not only to benefit from the common good derived from the network of relationships, but also to create value for others. This happens if you share the same ideals, values or common interests with the individuals, communities or groups. The shared interests and values may be career related, social or leisure. They may also relate to sports, education or other commonly shared interests. If your goal cannot be aligned with any identifiable interests, then it is not likely to lead to some productive networking outcomes. It also means that you have no basis to be part of the networking group or community.
We are often invited to join some networking groups and sometimes drafted into networking communities without notice. Those who find themselves in such situations should first identify what common goals the networking group seeks to achieve. This is to ensure that the group’s goal align with your networking objectives. Otherwise, you will be in for unproductive social chatter and gossips which lead to nowhere. Shared or common interests create the opportunity to develop more meaningful and authentic relationships capable of helping everyone to achieve set goals.
3. Ensure that you are visible and active in your networking group or community.
If you have chosen or accepted to belong to any networking group, then be active. Do not remain a passive and non-contributory member of the group. If you do not see any opportunity to contribute or benefit, then why belong? An effective network group creates an opportunity for members to contribute and are usually open to supporting one another.
One of the best ways to benefit from a networking group is to show that you are also useful to the group. If you are an expert in any field, let it be known; offer advice, or pro bono services; give your opinion on issues and contribute to debates. If you are looking for a job or other career changing opportunities, do not just thrust your requests on members. Instead, explain your capabilities, discuss your skills and achievements. Explain to your networks how hiring or partnering with you will benefit their organizations or any other organizations they may know.
Sometimes, your networking group members may not help you directly. However, if you are active within the group and able to create a positive impression among your members, they may refer you to places where you may receive the desired favours. Show your skills, be committed and honest in dealing with your members, and provide them with up-to-date information about your professional activities. They will tell or corroborate your stories.
4. To engage in productive networking: Attend networking community or group events.
Despite the increasing influence of social media, the traditional face-to-face mode of networking has remained a very important aspect of professional networking. This is because face-to-face meeting brings in the very important element of social and professional relationships; the human aspect. The human aspect makes it easier to realize that we are not just dealing with machines, our smart phones or computers, but with fellow humans with desires, interests, feelings and emotions.
The above background underscores the importance of attending networking group events. Being physically present at networking events puts a face to your story. This creates a long lasting image which your networks can associate with your skills, products or services.
When invited to networking events, engage in discussions that will help to build your reputation as a knowledgeable, reliable and supportive member of the group. Always ensure that you contribute meaningfully to group discussions. If the need arises, share your ideas about topics of common interest, and offer useful advice and tips only on subjects you are knowledgeable about. When attending networking events, ask questions, seek clarifications on issues you do not understand. Speak only about issues, stories or information you are familiar with, lest members will start avoiding you.
Also, when in social or professional events look out for influencers but do not thrust yourself on them. Show the influencers that you have a fair knowledge of their professional activities. If you get the opportunity, ask the influencers questions about their professional activities and provide them with valuable feedbacks. Also let the influencers know that you have a genuine interest in benefiting or learning from their experiences. You may also seek introduction from people you are close to who may know the influencers well. Do not just make up the number in a professional networking event.
5. Explore the opportunities in any network relationship you belong
There use useful opportunities inherent in every network relationship. However, these opportunities may not be obvious to members because they may be engrossed in the pursuit of specific goals. In pursuing common goals, group members often neglect other equally important benefits arising from their networking relationships. For instance, members of a university alumni network may be so absorbed in improving infrastructure in their alma mater that they neglect the professional and business interests of their members. Yet the networking opportunity if properly harnessed may enhance the business and professional interests of members.
Productive networking may therefore involve looking beyond the collective interests of members and proactively exploring hidden opportunities within a group. Thus, productive networking may lead to the establishment of ancillary relationships for the good of the individual.
You may also like:
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- The myths about hiring matured workers
- What’s your exit strategy from paid employment?
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