In a quickly changing business landscape, there is one timeless, but important, activity you shouldn’t lose sight of – networking.
Whether you are stepping into a new career, or have made it to the top of your industry, networking can play a critical role in your professional life. Consider it a long-term investment than can lead to new opportunities, insights and growth.
Below are three tactics to help you build and maintain meaningful connections:
- Create a Relationship Action Plan. Networking may seem like an arduous task, especially if you are content with your career. However, just because you finally landed your dream job or a new client, doesn’t mean you should stop networking. A strong network can often provide you with the knowledge and resources needed to continue moving forward in your profession. Best-selling author of “Never Eat Alone,” Keith Ferrazzi suggests one way to maintain relationships and practice intentional networking is through Relationship Action Planning. In case you’re not familiar with the term, Relationship Action Planning, according to LinkedIn, is “the act of proactively working to advance relationships with the people most important in achieving your business plan.” Ferrazzi has even created a downloadable Relationship Action Planning PDF you can fill out to keep yourself on track. You can’t get more intentional than that.
- Diversify your networking strategies. Although the concept of networking may be timeless, the strategies for building one’s network are constantly evolving. Resources such as LinkedIn and email can serve as useful avenues to spark and follow up with new connections, however, they are only a small piece of the networking puzzle. Attending events is still a wonderful way to meet new people. Expert Forbes panelist Frances McIntosh suggests looking “for local events such as Chamber of Commerce networking events, book launches, or art walks – something you wouldn’t ordinarily do.” This gives you an opportunity to exchange knowledge with individuals outside of your immediate field and gain new insights.
- Follow up with new and existing connections. Effective networking is not a one-and-done activity. While handing out a business card can be an effective networking tactic, this is only the first step. Once you have made a new connection, it’s important that you follow up and maintain the relationship. Like Ivan Misner, Founder of BNI (Business Networking International) said, “It is not what you know or who you know – it’s how well you know each other that counts.”
With this in mind, building on old relationships with friends and colleagues can serve you just as well. Don’t be afraid to bring out your college yearbook and call up a few old friends to meet for coffee. You never know what information or connections you may glean!
What are some helpful networking tactics you’ve used? I’d love to hear about your experience.