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The start of the new year is a natural time to resolve to do better and be better! Everyone knows that a major success factor for virtually any professional is the breadth and depth of their professional network, but too often we’re passive and expect our network to somehow strengthen on its own with minimal effort on our part. It’s also tempting to confuse random robotic social media scrolling during lunch with actively growing our professional network. They’re not the same. Professionals with really strong networks actually make an effort to build them so don’t make the mistake of being passive and allowing your network to stagnate (or worse). Before the first month of the year evaporates, develop a specific plan to grow your professional network. Here are 5 tips to help you do just that.
Tip #1 – Deepen existing relationships
Growing your professional network doesn’t just mean quantity – quality can be just as important (if not more). Instead of focusing only on doubling your number of contacts, also consider how you can deepen the connections you already have. Don’t wait until you need something to reach out to an important connection you’ve recently made. Instead, intentionally reach out to a colleague or new connection when you don’t need anything. Author of CONNECT FIRST: 52 Simple Ways to Ignite Success, Meaning, and Joy at Work, Dr. Melanie A. Katzman also suggests doing a bit of homework before you meet with a colleague to encourage a deeper, more substantive interaction.
“Read up on what your colleague has been doing at work or in the community. Arrive with quality questions. If you can Google the answer, you are asking the wrong question. Make the conversation interesting for the person you are meeting.”
Tip #2 – Develop a monthly networking lunch schedule to broaden your network
Without a doubt, the best time to build a relationship with a senior leader or subject matter expert is before you need it. The sad reality is more often we wait until there’s a crisis and then desperately try to find someone who knows the person we want to influence and that can yield less than optimal results. Trying to build a relationship amidst a crisis is rarely a recipe for success. Instead, develop a monthly schedule of relationship building lunches or coffees. It may not sound sexy, but a year from now, you’ll be so glad you did it. It’s super simple.
1. Document a list of six people who you would like to build a better relationship with this year. (Think about potential mentors, your boss’ boss or other senior leaders, subject matter experts in areas where you’re weak, colleagues in other areas of the business, etc.)
2. Carve out one day a month for your networking lunch/coffee. If there’s a particular time of the month or day of the week that’s typically slower, consider that when selecting the date (to avoid potential conflicts). Email each contact on your list to schedule the lunch/coffee.
3. Try to meet out of the office to encourage a more relaxed atmosphere.
4. Do your homework as advised above in Tip #1. Remember basic networking tips like making sure you’re offering value during the conversation, asking them about their interests and accomplishments and using good eye contact.
5. Follow up within a few days to thank them for the meeting and offer a resource or contact relevant to your conversation. Suggest having another lunch/coffee within three months (assuming you want to continue to cultivate the relationship) and get it scheduled!
Tip #3 – Get more active on LinkedIn
Hands down LinkedIn is one of the most important social media platforms for business professionals, and if you’re not active, you’re most likely missing opportunities to be connected to people who could help you (or whom you could help) this year, next year, or ten years from now. No, you don’t need to post multiple times a day or randomly comment on as many posts as possible. Remember that growing your network by 20% with quality connections is likely more beneficial than expanding it by 40% with random connections. Director Strategy and Project Management Medtronic, Dr. Michael O’Connor recommends making sure your LinkedIn profile is 100% complete as an important first step. Also, avoid common mistakes like using an inappropriate photo, not sharing your location, skills, or education, or not customizing your feed. Make it a priority to get really comfortable on LinkedIn and definitely become a regular, not a visitor on the platform. If you’re already a regular, strive to become a thought leader.
Tip #4 – Learn something new
Part of the reason why our networks stagnate is that it’s so natural to focus almost exclusively within our specific area of expertise. While it’s obviously important to focus on your functional area, you may be limiting yourself unwittingly by failing to explore other areas as well. It’s important to step outside your comfort zone not just to broaden your own skill set but also to expand your professional network. By dipping your toe in the water of other professional disciplines, you’re opening doors to entirely new sets of contacts and relationships. O’Connor suggests, “Attend a conference that is not in your area of expertise.” Indeed, training events and conferences in new functional areas introduce completely new networking opportunities which could provide fertile ground for valuable new connections.
Tip #5 – Meet with your boss early in the year to secure approval to attend preferred conferences/training events
Meeting with your manager early in the year to secure training approval can be key.
Conferences and training events provide opportunities to expand both your mind and your network. Most professionals understand the benefits of attending training/conferences, but too often make the classic mistake of waiting too late into the year to seek approval. Barbara Mason, CEO Career Pathways Consulting insists, “Asking early in the year improves your chances of having the money allocated before budgets get too tight. Remember, that training dollars can sometimes be the first to go!” Be proactive! Go ahead and schedule that meeting with your boss for the last week of January. In the meantime, document your preferred conferences, training or certification requests and be sure you have a strong rationale to support the request.
Tip #6 – Volunteer with professional organization conferences or serve on boards
Mason also suggests that volunteering for professional organizations/conferences or serving on boards is another way to grow your network organically. She advises, “Select board participation based on your career field or choose affiliation based on a cause that you’re passionate about.” This is a great strategy because it provides regular networking opportunities and also boosts your resume at the same time! Certainly, be strategic and realistic with your volunteering choices. If time commitment is a concern, don’t run for president of the organization, but instead volunteer to help coordinate the annual conference. Volunteering for a conference is a triple win as it offers a volunteer experience with broad networking opportunities, limits the time commitment and typically provides a free pass to a great event.
Remember that your network won’t dramatically change if you don’t take steps to make that happen. This week carve out some time to think about how you want your professional network to be quantitatively and qualitatively different this time next year, then take specific steps to make that happen. This just might be the most important investment you make in your career this year.
