Networking: The Why and How

Networking is often referred to as a necessary evil and there are many of us who feel overwhelmed at the idea of walking into a group of strangers and starting conversations. I have been approached numerous times over the last twenty years and asked how someone can network effectively and we all have our different ideas.

I absolutely acknowledge that networking can be overwhelming, and this is the case regardless of whether you are an extrovert or introvert. It can be scary to make that step. When these queries first started, I would always respond with “Make sure you have three open questions to ask in your mind”. However, that was before I listened to some leaders talk about networking and how important active listening was in that forum. This made me reevaluate my thoughts as if you are focusing on remembering the three questions you can ask, you are not actively listening.

Active listening is absolutely vital in networking forums. If you do this, the conversation will flow naturally and you will appear genuine which will promote the development of strong relationships with others, which is the whole purpose of networking. It is not to do a hard sell but develop strong relationships with others in business which will hopefully result in additional work or potential collaborations down the track. Networking is about sharing, not taking. It is about forming trust and helping one another toward goals. Regularly engaging with your contacts and finding opportunities to assist them helps to strengthen the relationship.

The benefits of networking are varied. It can help you provide a lifeline of support, offer solutions to your problems and even help you discover new opportunities that you can benefit from. Networking can generate leads, build contacts for partnerships and joint ventures and help you stay informed about industry trends.

There are many forms of networking. You can attend industry events and networking functions, connect with others on social media or offer your expertise. Whether it's through writing articles, giving presentations or teaching classes, sharing your knowledge through your expertise can help you build a strong reputation and attract new contacts. It's one of the most powerful ways of creating credibility for yourself and your business, which in turn helps build trust.

By focusing on building a strong business network, you can easily create opportunities for collaboration, allow for the exchange of ideas and information, and provide a forum for developing trust and mutual respect. Additionally, networking can help identify potential business partners and customers and create a sense of community and belonging. These relationships will then form a support network. So, if you haven't yet focused on creating a strong network, start working on it now.