Our current economic state presents us with many opportunities; it’s about how you choose to view it. My focus has always been on the basics; take a moment to analyze your foundation with an emphasis on finances. Regardless of where you look, it’s all about relationships – your relationship to your money, bank, employer, family, and friends.
This brings me to the importance of networking and the value of forming and maintaining a strong circle of contacts. There is no better time than now to strengthen or build your network. A strong network will serve you well for years to come and will be an additional tool in your toolbox, especially during these uncertain economic times.
Networking includes both internal and external activities. Internally, be visible in your current job, don’t hide in your office or cubicle. Volunteer for projects and be available. Expand your lunch companions. Meet and talk with new coworkers and continue to communicate with them on a regular basis. To be informed; know where your business is going. You may want to consider brushing up on your skills or expanding your knowledge, which brings me to external networking. This can also improve your current situation. An easy way to do this is to join a professional organization within your field. Network by regularly attending meetings, meeting new people, and benefiting from the information and knowledge presented through seminars and speakers.
Keep in mind that networking is not easy for most and can even be painful.
advice: To help ease your apprehension, consider arriving early for a meeting when there are fewer people or inviting a colleague to join you. Then take your membership to the next level by becoming a board member or chairing a committee. This opens a lot of new doors and looks good on your resume.
Also, consider joining a professional online network like LinkedIn. You can add your professional memberships / organizations to your profile for greater visibility. Invite your contacts to join and continue to expand your network with up-to-date information.
Final advice– Always exchange contact information or business cards and follow-up. Start and maintain a database of contacts on your network that includes their name, email address, phone number, as well as as, When, Y where met with any additional relevant notes to help shake both your memory and the memory of your contact. Keep adding to this database and be sure to keep in touch with any appropriate news or share an article of interest.
It’s about relationships. Build them and keep them strong. Working together is much easier than doing it alone.
