Despite being isolated during this pandemic, it has never been easier to connect and network with people. I have met more people during the COVID-19 lockdown than I have met in the past five years. I feel more connected than ever, despite the pandemic. How is that possible, you may wonder? Through a virtual networking strategy.
Most professionals know how to build positive, long-lasting relations with friends and co-workers. But few know how to consciously and systematically develop and maintain positive business relations virtually. It is more than just talent; virtual networking is a skill—or set of skills.
I remember how difficult it was to get in touch with people. In the 90's I spent a lot of time networking at different events around the world. It was a time-consuming activity that required dedication and time from start to finish. It required you to find suitable events to go to, get dressed up and find a babysitter for the night. After distributing business cards at various events, you had to carefully follow up with each connection through handwritten letters, calls and occasionally an email. It was a time-consuming process, but I now have an extensive global network in more than 40 countries. Today, we have the opportunity to build and nurture a network without leaving our home, making it inclusive and accessible to more people.
As the opportunity to network gets more accessible to people, I think it's important to highlight what makes outstanding networking skills necessary and how to best use them. Because if you have the skills and not using them correctly, it won't do you any good.
Have a Goal and a Mission
We know that people who take a goal-oriented approach to a network have more accessible access to inspiration, information, and influence, both at work and in their personal lives. This mindset applies to companies and firms as well. Companies that take a systematic approach to network do far better than the ones that don't. A study of 700 HR Managers and CEOs from 31 industries and 61 countries showed that companies that manage well financially, as measured by EBITDA, are 57% more likely to use relationship tools and social networks than their counterparts that don't fare as well.
19% of these companies regularly use networking as a tool for identifying individuals with relevant knowledge and relevant skillsets. Despite losses, 21% of these companies have recently increased spending on resources to improve relationships and networks. 27% of these companies use the network as a tool for expanding on innovative ideas.
Why Network?
When it comes to building your career or business, the value of online networking is largely undisputed. Every online conference, zoom meeting, virtual lecture and remote social event is an opportunity to meet people, build your reputation and expand your base of relations.
Networking is the simple process of building mutually beneficial, long-term relationships by sharing ideas, information and resources. By strategically networking, you create an extensive web of personal contacts to provide support, feedback and resources needed to get things done.
Why You Need To Network:
- To do some good for yourself (including improving sales)
- To do some good for others (your clients and colleagues)
- To contribute to the community as a whole (the big picture)
You Are Who You Know.
You're living in a society characterized by the over saturation of information, unlimited amounts of factual knowledge, rapid changes and sudden arising needs and challenges.
Once you've established a strong network of competent individuals who possess incredible talent and knowledge in areas where your skills may lack, you'll gain a wider access of knowledge than you do when you stand alone – when that happens both you, clients and your team stand to benefit from that.
Get An Overview
There are many different kinds of networks, but they all have one thing in common: relationships. You can be a formal member of a network or a community such as a "meet up" group, a Facebook community, or more innovative platforms like Clubhouse, etc. Networking is a way of thinking and working – it's an activity.
All your current and lacking relationships should be categorized in a way to give you an overview of who you know, how well you know them and how loyal you are to each other. Do they respond if you call or write? Do they help you make a warm introduction? Do they endorse you? How reliable is your network? These are all questions you need to ask yourself to not waste your time on relationships that aren't gaining for you.
Strategic networking is all about mapping out who you know, nourishing the relationships you have and expanding your circle by getting to know the people you don't know, but that you need to know.
Motive and Mission
What is your motive for networking? To expand your network with valuable connections, you need to establish an answer to this question. It's essential to be mindful of your needs if you want to take a targeted approach to the network.
If you don't, the alternative is an unstructured and random networking tactic that will never produce great results. People don't get what they want because they don't know what they want.
Strategic Online Networking means that you will look at every event you attend with a goal in mind, whether it's a sizable mixer-type event or a one-on-one virtual coffee meeting. The plan you set may be to meet a specific person, or the goal might be to support the organization - whichever the goals are, it's essential to set them. If you do not have a specific plan, you may find yourself drifting through the event and wasting your time or, worse - the time of the people you meet.
Successful people have a way of finding opportunities and a knack for knowing whom to tap to get things done. These qualities come from a set of strategic networking skills that non-leaders rarely possess. True leaders understand the difference between the various types of networks - and the most effective ways in learning how to build and nurture them.
Finally, the most important strategic move is to make sure that you follow up with every contact. It's crucial that you actively make an effort to write thoughtful emails or direct messages back to people you've introduced yourself to. By doing so, you are making a statement about yourself and showing them that you value the time they spent meeting with you.
People seem to forget that networking is about making quality connections and following up with those "quality connections" builds trust and will make you stand out from the rest. However, unfortunately, only a few people do it. Networking allows you to make promises and then shows people that you can keep them. If you don't follow up on your new connections or with people you know, your networking efforts will be wasted, you will not be remembered, and worse, miss out on future opportunities.
Strategic virtual networking requires just a little bit more effort to plan and decide what your goals and actions will be for each time you connect with people. It also includes a careful plan to ensure that everyone who is expecting something from you gets it.
If you're ready to make these simple commitments, then strategic virtual networking will be a sport for you, and you will see a difference in both your personal and professional life.
"network" - Google News
April 28, 2021 at 07:10AM
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The Art Of Virtual Networking - Forbes
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