How Top Professionals Leverage Networks for Performance and Growth
Networking is a fantastic opportunity to get in front of other professionals interested in learning about what you do and your offerings. Making these connections can provide endless benefits.
Building a professional network helps you attract job and business opportunities, deeper insights and knowledge, improved innovativeness, faster advancement, and greater authority. Building professional relationships also improves the quality of work and increases job satisfaction. Success depends on an individual’s ability to network effectively internally (within their company) and externally to others.
Look at the many benefits to be gained from networking.
- 95% of people agree that better business relationships are built through face-to-face meetings. (Source: Tech Jury)
- Networking directly contributes to filling as many as 85% of all jobs. (Source: Review 42)
- 80% of professionals believe that you can elevate your career success through professional networking. (Source: LinkedIn Press Room)
Try a Service Minded Approach to Networking
Most people approach networking from the wrong angle. Rather than going into conversations thinking, “What’s in this for me?” you should think: “How can I make this person’s day better?”
People tend to forget about the resources they have that others might value. They focus on money, influential contacts, technical support, and information while ignoring less obvious assets such as gratitude, recognition, and enhanced reputation.
Always Be Networking
Networking isn’t just something you do when you have an urgent need. After all, you wouldn’t call your friend only when you need a favor. Instead, you should focus on establishing rewarding, long-term relationships with others.
Nurture Your Network
Professionals who are good at networking make regular time in their schedule to make themselves available to others and proactively reach out to industry thought leaders, associates, and previous colleagues.
Your business is only as strong as your network. Now is the time to build a streamlined, professional network of people where incentives are aligned, objectives are clear, and both individuals can benefit.
Growing and maintaining a close-knit network of knowledgeable individuals can be one of the best investments you can make. The significant benefits of having a strong network are knowledge and referrals. Being able to mine your network’s intelligence when solving a problem can be the difference between success and failure. Plus, when you provide value back to your contacts, they will be more likely to send referrals your way.
Zig Ziglar said, “You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.”
You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.
Zig Ziglar
If you want to form relationships, the key is to give value first. This approach will help you maintain deep and meaningful long-term relationships to enhance your career.
