The Power of Networking

Do you feel awkward asking for help? Do you sometimes feel you could do so much more, but getting a new, interesting project off the ground means you need somebody else's help? Asking for anything feels hard, so you end up acting strangely about it. You try to "activate your contacts" and call distant acquaintances, cringing the whole time. You sound like a stressed-out door-to-door salesman, but you have one goal: to talk someone into helping you.

What if, every time you needed help, you could turn to someone who was always happy to give it? Don't believe that's possible? Then it's time to learn what networking really is and see the benefits waiting within arm's reach.

“ Connections only hurt the people who don't have any. “

Nele Neuhaus

The author of that line may have learned it in an ad agency, or in one of the several degrees she completed. So stop wondering which of your acquaintances might know the right person every time you need help. Instead, build your own network of mutual relationships — one that helps everyone in it build a genuinely successful career.

Who needs networking?

There's no hiding it: competition for top positions is fiercer than ever. This is exactly where your network comes into play — it can become one of your most powerful assets. A strong network effectively extends your social reach and increases your competitiveness at work. Add fluency in international business English to that, and your opportunities grow even further.

What exactly is networking?

“ You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want. “

Zig Ziglar

According to Investopedia, networking is "the exchange of information and ideas among people with a common profession or special interest." You'll find networking valuable at every stage of your career, whether you work for a large company or you're in the middle of a career change.

What if you're not a fan of business mixers? You can network anywhere, anytime — at an official company reception, right after a talk, or even sharing a cab with someone from your industry who turns out to be genuinely interesting.

The elevator pitch: sixty seconds to sell yourself and land the job

Managers and leaders often say "elevators open doors." The so-called elevator pitch is an industry legend for a reason. Imagine stepping into an elevator with the head of a well-known company you've been trying to get into for years. What would you tell them about yourself in just one minute? In that short window, you can make several great business contacts, so always be ready to use it well.

The professional upside of networking — an essential part of building your career

"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together" — this African proverb holds true anywhere. We need other people to grow. Your network isn't limited to people from your current workplace — you meet people every day in completely ordinary, non-business situations, and you never know which one of them will need your services down the line.

One director at an executive search firm learned this the hard way. Let's call him Peter for this story. While waiting for his car at the repair shop, Peter didn't expect his circle of business contacts to grow by three interesting connections in that very spot: a former client whose company Peter's firm could serve again, a promising future hire who impressed him, and a former employee he swapped contact details with.

These stories show that nurturing business relationships is worth it. Every time you're at the hairdresser or waiting at the car wash, treat it as a chance to build a relationship. The professional benefits of networking:

• •Knowing many people broadens your horizons and exposes you to different points of view.
• •Someone in your network may help you solve the problem keeping you up at night — chances are, someone with more experience, say in finance, is already in your circle.
• •A network is a brilliant way to win new clients and collaborators — referrals from your network aren't cold contacts, they're vetted, trustworthy people.
• •You get more opportunities for interesting work and stay current on trends in your industry.
• •Building business relationships shortens the distance to decision-makers at companies you'd like to work for.
• •More people learn about what you do — your network advertises you, so you don't have to.

Clear communication: the universal currency of international networking

Professionals are expected to communicate clearly and confidently — it's the unwritten baseline of doing business internationally. If the company you work for has international ties, the people who want to meet you and do business with you will want to use a language you can both navigate comfortably. Something as simple as a well-delivered greeting shows people you're engaged and prepared.

Networking online

Networking isn't limited to formal meetings in a conference room — the pandemic years pushed most new relationships to start, and even grow, online. Clear, confident communication is the baseline for building brand-new connections online. Sharpening how you communicate can make it far easier to reach both your personal and professional goals.

Networking — where to start?

Well-run networking is essential if you want to build the career, the business, or the satisfying job you're after. Whatever your personality type, these rules will help you build your network effectively:

• •Focus on the right people — the ones you know can actually move the needle in your career.
• •Create win-win situations where both sides benefit.
• •Give and receive — offer support, but also expect it.
• •Stay in touch. People value a maintained relationship more than you'd think.
• •Become a connector — introduce people you know to each other. Beyond the satisfaction, you'll gain real support in return.
• •Use platforms like LinkedIn — for personal contact with people in your industry, job hunting, and self-presentation.
• •Start your own networking group for people with shared interests, on Facebook for example.

Remember: building relationships takes time, it can be difficult, and it only pays off when the relationships are genuine.

Networking in practice: how do you actually build a network?

The internet gives you a huge toolkit for expanding your networking efforts — if you communicate confidently, you have essentially unlimited opportunities to build relationships with people around the world. Still, don't underestimate the power of meeting face to face — no technology can fully replace an in-person conversation. Check out 7 strategies to become a better speaker.

• •Be active on LinkedIn — a hub for business people worldwide, where you can join groups, post updates, and share information.
• •Join an organization built around networking — internationally, groups like BNI (Business Network International), your local Chamber of Commerce, or Mastermind-style networking groups.
• •Attend business conferences, take business trips — create situations that give your career momentum.
• •Use the more traditional route too, and email selected professionals directly — though the best contacts still come from talking to people face to face.

Becoming an effective networker takes both time and effort — stepping out of your comfort zone and staying consistent. If the rules of networking still feel like a mystery, don't be discouraged — plenty of people in senior roles, even experienced managers and CEOs, struggle to build business relationships effectively.

Sources

• •English as the international language of business. PolskaPraca.info, October 30, 2017.
• •8 stories that prove successful networking doesn't have to be boring. Institute of Managers and Leaders, Aug 27, 2016.
• •Julia Kagan, Networking Definition. Investopedia, June 21, 2022.
• •Mansoor Iqbal, LinkedIn Usage and Revenue Statistics (2022). Business of Apps, Sept 6, 2022.