Why You Need to Network Within Your Company - and How

Oct 23
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  <p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">This week, I’m expanding on my last episode with Brad Englert, when we talked about Building Essential Internal and External Relationships. </p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">This week, I’m providing key how-to strategies for building those relationships. </p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Here’s how I think of it: The broad heading here is Networking. Underneath that is a specific category of networking – building relationships to help you do your job more effectively and efficiently. </p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Networking, in its simplest form, is an exchange of information or services and the cultivation of productive relationships. </p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Note the word “exchange” – networking is not a one-way street, not ever. It should be an equal exchange of energy. The other word of note is “productive” – not everyone you meet will become a productive relationship, nor should they. </p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><strong>Building Relationships at Work</strong></p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Here are several concrete reasons to build relationships at work: </p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">-You can improve productivity and create a better overall work experience by cultivating mutual trust and respect through networking.</p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">-You may find potential mentors and mentees.</p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">-You’ll learn about other facets of your organization including career paths and specific jobs you might be interested in – as well as secure an advocate to help you with that transition.</p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">-You might be exposed to stretch assignments, committee appointments, or project teams you wouldn’t otherwise know about or be considered for.</p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">-You’ll be exposed to insider knowledge of job opportunities before they become more widely known. </p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">-The network you cultivate means that, as those people move on to other companies, you are building a future external network. </p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">&nbsp;</p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><strong>Who, Specifically, Should You Be Networking With? </strong></p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">-Peers</p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">-Stakeholders</p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">-Cross-functional employees</p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">-Your boss’s peers (ask your boss first)</p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">-Movers and shakers – high-potentials, well-regarded, etc. </p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">&nbsp;</p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><strong>Some Ideas for Getting Started</strong></p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">-Invite them for coffee (virtual or in-person)</p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">-Ask if you can stop by their office for 15 minutes – or schedule a virtual 15-minute meeting</p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">-Invite them to lunch</p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">-Invite them to a luncheon meeting as your guest</p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">-Accept other’s invitations to be a guest at their luncheon events</p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">&nbsp;</p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><strong>What Should You Say? </strong></p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Get the other person talking about himself or herself. Here are some great starter questions:<br></p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">-What are you currently working on?</p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">-How did you land your job?</p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">-What’s the best part of working in your department?</p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">-Who in the company have you especially enjoyed working with, and why?</p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">-What has been your proudest achievement at this company? </p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">-How did your degree in [know this ahead of time via LI] prepare you for this field? </p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">-Where did you work prior to [present company], and what was the best part of that job? </p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">&nbsp;</p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><strong>Additional Networking Tips</strong></p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">-Connect with everyone you network with on LinkedIn </p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">-Follow up and follow through</p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">-Look for opportunities to connect those in your network with others in your network</p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">-Create a system for regular touch points – such as quarterly, bi-annually, annually</p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">-Look for opportunities to connect between more formal meetings, such as sending them an article you think they would appreciate or kudos for a recognition they’ve received</p>
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              <span class="blog-item-tag-wrapper"><a href="/tec-podcast/tag/networking" class="blog-item-tag blog-item-tag--networking" rel="tag">networking</a></span><span class="blog-item-tag-wrapper"><a href="/tec-podcast/tag/work+relationships" class="blog-item-tag blog-item-tag--work-relationships" rel="tag">work relationships</a></span>
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              <a href="/tec-podcast?author=617ae7024d577d7cd7e6f36a">
  
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