3 Ways to Strengthen Your Professional Network
So you’ve got a fantastic professional network: around 500 ex-colleagues, former classmates and that guy you met at a seminar last month. How many of them can you really count on?
Any businessman worth his salt will tell you that a reliable and trend-savvy network is the key to expanding your business. This is even more critical for startups. Knowing the right person in the right organisation can open doors for many businesses.
But ensuring the reliability of your network can be tricky. Most professionals cast a wide net without putting much effort into each new acquaintance, treating networking as a game to be won by the person who collects the most handshakes and business cards.
This approach, while not completely wrong, may not be the best way to establish a solid, dependable network. As Steve Jobs said, “One home run is better than two doubles.”
Here are three ways to strengthen the foundations of your professional network:
1. Prioritise quality over quantity
Instead of racing to collect name cards and rack up LinkedIn connections, focus on cultivating deeper relationships with existing contacts. Interact with them whenever you can: comment on their posts, celebrate their career milestones and grab a coffee now and then.
This is easier when your circle is smaller and more manageable. Rather than a wide network of shallow connections, members of a smaller (but still tight-knit) circle are more likely to understand your needs, pass you relevant business leads and support you in tough times.
2. Be clear and concise
Set clear goals and target specific connections in relevant areas that offer synergy for your business. Don’t waste your time or others’ with a misfired sales pitch!
Focus on the right networks: ask how the person to whom you’re connecting can help your business, and vice versa. Without giving a hard sell, get to know as many practitioners in your field as you can. You’ll learn more about different aspects of your industry and broaden your perspectives, if not your skill set. You’ll have people talking about your business in no time.
3. Trade favours — what goes around comes around
A good relationship is a two-way street. Find out how you can add value to somebody and offer to help them in a way that only you can (without being taken advantage of, or working for free — that’s another story).
The people you help will remember your goodwill. Chances are, they’ll even recommend you to other people and lend a hand when you’re in need. Word travels fast, too: before you know it, you’ll establish a reputation for reliability among clients, partners and customers alike.
This article was published by FundedHere. FundedHere began operation in March 2016 and is the first homegrown Singapore-based platform to offer equity and debt-based crowdfunding.
For more information, please go to www.fundedhere.com
