6 ways to foster your professional network during the new year

The start of the new year is a natural time to decide to do better and be better. Everyone knows that an important success factor for virtually any professional is the breadth and depth of their professional network, but too often we are passive and expect our network to strengthen on its own with minimal effort on the part of ours. It is also tempting to confuse the random scrolling of robotic social media during lunch with the active growth of our professional network. They are not the same. Professionals with very strong networks really make an effort to build them, so don’t make the mistake of being passive and allowing your network to stagnate (or worse). Before the first month of the year evaporates, develop a specific plan to grow your professional network. Here are five tips to help you do just that.

Tip 1: Deepen existing relationships

Growing your professional network not only means quantity, but quality can be just as important (if not more so). Instead of focusing only on doubling the number of contacts, also consider how you can go deeper into the connections you already have. Don’t wait until you need something to reach an important connection you’ve recently established. Instead, intentionally contact a partner or a new connection when you don’t need anything. Author of CONNECT FIRST: 52 Easy Ways to Turn on Success, Meaning, and Joy at Work, Dr. Melanie A. Katzman also suggests doing some homework before meeting with a partner to encourage interaction deeper and more substantial.

“Read what your partner has been doing at work or in the community. Arrive with quality questions. If you can answer Google, ask the wrong question. Make the conversation interesting to the person you know. ”

Tip no. 2: Develop a monthly network lunch schedule to expand your network

Without a doubt, the best time to establish a relationship with a senior leader or subject matter expert is before You need it. The sad reality is that more often than not we wait until there is a crisis and then we desperately try to find someone who knows the person we want to influence and who can produce less than optimal results. Trying to build a relationship in the midst of a crisis is rarely a recipe for success. Instead, develop a monthly calendar of lunches or coffees for relationship building. It may not sound appealing, but in a year you will be very happy to have done so. It’s super simple.

1. Document a list of six people with whom you would like to establish a better relationship this year. (Think of potential mentors, your boss, or other top leaders, subject matter experts in areas where you are weak, colleagues in other areas of the business, etc.)

2. Sculpt yourself one day a month for your networked lunch / coffee. If there is usually an hour of the month or day of the week that is slower, be careful when selecting the date (to avoid possible conflicts). Email each contact on your list to schedule lunch / coffee.

3. Try to meet outside the office to foster a more relaxed atmosphere.

4. Do homework as indicated above in Board no. 1. Remember basic networking tips like making sure you offer value during the conversation, asking them about their interests and achievements, and using good eye contact.

5. Follow up within a few days to thank them for the meeting and offer you a resource or contact relevant to your conversation. Suggest having another lunch / coffee within three months (assuming you want to continue cultivating the relationship) and schedule it.

Tip no. 3: Become more active on LinkedIn

Hands down LinkedIn is one of the most important social networking platforms for business professionals, and if you’re not active, you’re likely to miss opportunities to connect with people who could help you (or who you could help) this year, next year or ten years from now. No, you do not need to post several times a day or comment on as many posts as you can. Remember that growing your network by 20% with quality connections is probably more beneficial than expanding it by 40% with random connections. As an important first step, Dr. Michael O’Connor, Medtronic’s director of strategy and project management, recommends making sure your LinkedIn profile is 100% complete. Also, avoid common mistakes like using an inappropriate photo, not sharing your location, skills or education, or not customizing your feed. Make it a priority to get very comfortable on LinkedIn and definitely become a regular visitor to the platform. If you’re already used to it, try to become a thought leader.

Tip 4: Learn something new

Part of the reason our networks are stagnating is that it’s so natural to focus almost exclusively on our specific area of ​​specialization. While it’s obviously important to focus on your functional area, you may inadvertently limit yourself to not exploring other areas as well. It’s important to step out of your comfort zone not only to expand your own skill set, but also to expand your professional network. By immersing your finger in the water of other professional disciplines, you open the doors to completely new sets of relationships and contacts. O’Connor suggests, “Attend a conference that doesn’t fall within your area of ​​expertise.” In fact, training events and conferences in new functional areas introduce completely new networking opportunities that could provide fertile ground for valuable new connections.

Tip no. 5: Meet with your boss earlier this year for approval to attend your favorite training conferences / events

Conferences and training events offer opportunities to expand your mind and network. Most professionals understand the benefits of attending training / conferences, but often make the classic mistake of waiting too late in the year to seek approval. Barbara Mason, CEO of Career Pathways Consulting, insists: “Asking at the beginning of the year improves the chances of having the money allocated before budgets are too tight. Remember that sometimes training dollars can be the first to go for it! ”Be proactive. Go ahead and schedule this meeting with your boss for the last week of January. In the meantime, document your preferred conference, training, or certification requests and make sure you have a solid justification for supporting the request.

Tip no. 6: Volunteer with professional organization conferences or participate in boards of directors

Mason also suggests that volunteering for professional organizations / conferences or serving on boards of directors is another way to grow your network organically. She advises, “Select board participation based on your professional field or choose affiliation based on a cause you are passionate about.” This is a great strategy as it provides regular networking opportunities and also increases your resume at the same time. Certainly, be strategic and realistic with your volunteer options. If time commitment is a concern, do not run for the presidency of the organization, but volunteer to help coordinate the annual conference. Volunteering for a conference is a triple victory, as it offers a volunteering experience with ample networking opportunities, limits time spent, and usually provides a free pass to a large event.

Remember that your network will not change drastically if you do nothing to make this happen. This week take a moment to think about how you want your professional network to be quantitatively and qualitatively different this time next year, and then take specific steps to make that happen. This could be the most important investment you make in your career this year.