Networking is about building unconditional business relationships. Contributing to the greater good within or across fields of endeavour. You know, that feeling of giving to others without expecting anything in return. That ‘s the premise and how good does that feel?
As these networking relationships develop, one of the benefits is that it gives you an opportunity to explore and discover all things you and your career! The career path we want to take is not always apparent. Actually we often sit or stand in the same spot expecting the answers to come to us. The reality is we need fresh inputs to create fresh outputs. New ideas, new actions, new options. Networking helps us with that!
Networking provides us with the opportunities to:
Investigate new industries
Explore the feasibility of changing careers
Target organisations that appeal to you
Meet people who can influence others in their own company and create opportunities for you
Increase your exposure
Gather critical career information
Uncover realistic job possibilities
Who to connect with to build your network
Colleagues, peers, team members
Mentors
Coaches
Managers
Direct reports
Customers and clients
Vendors, suppliers, consultants
Professional associations
Competitors
Remember, like building any relationship it takes time and commitment.