A Playbook for Building Lasting Connections

Written by: Archita Prahladka

Why does everybody say you should network? Zillions of events are organized just for people to network! How can some people just make some calls and get the work done and some can't? Why do people with 20 years of experience need help to get their next best job?

All these answers revolve around one subject: How well one can network?

You have to know the right people and you have to be known by them for your exceptional value. Culturally and biologically we are not designed to network. We would attempt to network only when we need something. We are more so raised like that. Sadly we are not brought up in a way that teaches us how to network. It’s not taught in schools or colleges or even for that matter in B-Schools.

So what is NETWORKING?

Networking is the exchange of information and ideas which leads to the building of meaningful relationships. It is an ongoing process and starts with a common interest ground.

But how to really network?

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Here are 7 actionable METHODS to inculcate a NETWORKING MINDSET:

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1. Look at Networking as GIVING and not just taking.

People can sense when someone is only out to help themself. The entire deal to network can go to waste. So start networking before you need it. When you network without a personal agenda to gain, it looks very organic.

Actionable Tip:

Whenever you meet someone interesting or outside your circle, you should talk with the intent to add value. If you are in a particular industry and you meet someone who may be from another industry, you can still offer cross-industry intellect, share your domain knowledge which is industry agnostic, or connect them with someone from your network who can be valuable to them (personally or professionally). Often people remember personal references and favors more than professional ones. Once you start building a network of diverse designations and industries, it becomes easier to share more value with newer connections as you already have a parked resource of a rich network.

2. KNOW what you have to offer and WHAT you are good at

The underlying problem most of the time in the above-stated situation is that we don’t know what we have to offer. When we meet someone whom we perceive as someone who is of a higher rank or privilege we think that we can give nothing as significant to them as they can give us. But that’s not right. You always have something vital to offer to anybody.

Actionable Tip:

Offer a fresh perspective to an ongoing situation whether it's environmental, business oriented, etc.
Asking a great question whether it's after their keynote address or something specific about a common domain.
Make them feel good about themselves (people always remember how you have made them feel especially when it's unique).
Offer your expertise in the form of quick recommendations wrt to your skill set. This can make you sound credible instantly.
So take time, reflect on yourselves, and find that one valuable skill set that you may have to offer anybody.
It all starts by being aware of what you are good at and then parallelly developing yourself on that skill set.
You could be someone who can instantly give creative marketing ideas or share successful case studies.
So never let yourself believe that you don’t have something great to offer.

Dive IN!

3. DON'T disregard someone based on their title

Only if you have the intention to engage with people without having a bias for their titles, can you do this.
Someone you may have met is just a fresher or a junior associate and you may ignore them because of that. You never know what kind of rich network they carry or if they are about to build a unicorn startup.
Most of the time when we meet someone notable our mind starts thinking about how to leverage them. As people, we are subconsciously trained to look for advantages in someone and that’s not your fault. It’s an environmental installation after all. The other times when we meet someone who may not be exactly at our level or even be below: We don't make enough effort to engage with them.

So to start with the right networking approach, converse and interact to offer value first and then to seek exchange.

4. Have a DIGITAL ADDRESS ready

Once you meet somebody and interact with them, keep a digital address handy to give them. While in a conversation people do not get the full picture of the other person. If you have a digital address like your LinkedIn Profile ready and fully optimized, then when someone goes to check your profile they remember you more vividly. They get a chance to grasp your entire profile and make a judgment for future conversations. So get your digital address ready, polished, and informative.

Actionable Tip:

Have a QR-based Link tree ready on your visiting card or just on your phone.

5. Take a PICTURE if you can

People meet a lot of other people, they really do not remember everyone they met. But something that will remind them of you especially is a picture you took with them.

Actionable Tip:

Send it to them at whichever contact point you have: WhatsApp, LinkedIn message, or email. That will always be cemented in their conversations and memories with you.

6. STAY CONNECTED after the first meeting

The real networking actually starts after the first meeting. The way you stay connected and well-communicated matters. Festival greetings are great but not enough.

Actionable Tip:

Keep their challenges or growth areas in mind and whenever you come across something meaningful for them, do not hesitate to drop a text or email. If they were looking for a good hire in marketing and if you come across someone right, send that CV. If they were looking for a better supplier and you stumble upon someone, drop a text. If they were looking for high-quality leads and you chance upon someone having a problem statement that can be solved by this person, make that call. One right reference can strengthen your relationship and that connection will then become a friend.
Often we keep moving on from conversations and meeting experiences. We don’t really index it in our minds and refer to it when needed.
Be intentional about helping people at least in the form of passing information that can ease their challenges or enrich their wisdom.

How you add value to someone’s life whether it's business or career or personality, makes the difference.

7. Smile!

This is such a simple, basic rule, yet people just don’t think about it. A smile is a universal language and can instantly connect you to someone.

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Conclusion

These were 7 quick actionable tips on how to really network. I feel this is a skill we really need to work on for acing our professional careers.

Remember a great networker is not one who takes more but who gives more.

If you want to keep reading more about networking please connect with me on LinkedIn where I actively write about multiple topics, especially on networking. With my years of networking, I have built a very diverse network around the world which puts me in a strategic advantage as a professional. It's an organic process but definitely needs intentional practice.

I would urge you to understand your personality on a deeper level and use it to your advantage.

There is a whole universe waiting for you to help you connect with your tribe.

All the best!

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Habits every writer should cultivate

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A Playbook for Building Lasting Connections

But how to really network?

1. Look at Networking as GIVING and not just taking.

2. KNOW what you have to offer and WHAT you are good at

3. DON'T disregard someone based on their title

4. Have a DIGITAL ADDRESS ready

5. Take a PICTURE if you can

6. STAY CONNECTED after the first meeting

7. Smile!

Conclusion

Habits every writer should cultivate

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