In this post I would like to share the gist of the online webinar organized by Bija Training under their Mask Leadership series on 8th September 2021. The speaker was Mr Anand Bhadkamkar, Former CEO of Denzu India. The speaker started out by saying that networking is all about expanding your network. However, even as you do it, you should be clear of the purpose, your interest area and the quality of the people you would like to have in your network.
Your network includes key people within the organization, outsiders working/ connected with your industry, clients,vendors and reporters. It is important that your values and the values of those in your network match in order to be mutually beneficial. It would be great if the people whom you had looked up to as role models as a youngster can be won over/ gained as part of your network. It is necessary to commit time for the people in your network. One also needs to be adaptive to the existing realities and ways of keeping in touch and interacting. While previously a meeting over coffee/ lunch/Breakfast may have been the norm, today you may look at virtual meetings and other innovative means of engaging with your network. What ever the method, sufficient time has to devoted to plan the interaction and execute it real time.
Having decided on the key members of the network such as mentors you would like to interact with in a week, the onus of working out opportunities to connect with them is on you. There should be a push and initiative from your side. Set aside two hours of dedicated time per week for this activity. The big goal should be to grow as a professional and with this aim in mind, listen a lot more than you speak. To a question from listeners as to the role of LinkedIn as a networking tool, the speaker said that it is a useful platform that can be used in the context of developing one's brand. One can post in specific areas of interest. The profile also is to be specific and sharp. Get an understanding of how the platform works and curate it to your needs. Having said this, it is not to be taken that LinkedIn is the be and end all of networking. One should look at other means of connecting and engaging with one's network.
The value of a connect will be known when it becomes available to you when you need it most. One should remember to treat the relationship similar to that of a bank account. You will be able to draw from the account when you need it only if you deposit sums at frequent intervals and keep the account live. Be aware of your own sphere of influence. Let the relationship be mutually beneficial. Share information on a regular basis; reach out with a phone call.
As discussed earlier, you should have clarity on your ultimate goal and purpose. The length, width, depth and hues of the network would depend on this. Therefore, your network can extend to people in other industries and in your social circles. As for example it could be a contact from among your Gym friends who connects you to his friend and who in turn is able to connect you to a very good customer in your line of business or interest area.
Short and sweet, this session made available to participants cream ideas for initiating, developing and sustaining your network, which as the title of the webinar suggests is your net worth!
NB: readers may also like to check out my poem "Networking Insights" at this link
