Networking is one of the most important ways to develop your personal and professional life. Whether you’re looking for a new job, a promotion or a way to connect with a new industry, your network can support you in many ways.
Building relationships and networking takes time, effort and attention. However, there are a few things you can do to help maximize the results from your efforts.
Reaching out to people you know and new contacts alike is one of the most effective ways to build relationships for personal and professional develop. It can help you secure referrals, gain insights about a career path or find new job opportunities.
You can also use your network to support others. For example, if you’re an entrepreneur who’s looking for advice on business strategies and growth, connect with someone who is in the same industry.
Similarly, if you’re in the middle of an interview for a new position or you have a question about how to get started, ask your contacts for their expertise.
Make an effort to meet with new contacts in person - particularly at relevant networking events and at conferences. This will create a more solid impression than an email alone and give you a chance to share your stories of success and challenges.
Aside from being a great way to find and meet new people, networking can also help you grow personally. By interacting with others in your field, you may learn about their successes and failures and can even seek their advice when faced with an obstacle or challenge.
Networking is the best way to boost your confidence and get you closer to your goals, so it’s a good idea to give it a try. To make the experience more fun, try a less formal setting where you can talk about something you actually care about. And if you’re feeling particularly shy, it’s not a bad idea to bring a friend along. It can make the difference between a good time and a great one. It’s also a smart move to use your newfound network to build your brand and boost your profile.
Nurture is the care and attention that you give someone to encourage them to grow. You nurture people by spending time with them, listening to them and learning about them.
This helps them to develop emotionally and can help them to cope with life’s ups and downs. It can also help them to form stronger bonds with other people.
New scientific research is showing that early environments are significant to our social emotional skills, wellbeing and behaviour. Children and young people who have a good start in life tend to do better at school, attend regularly, form more meaningful friendships and are less likely to offend or experience physical or mental health problems.
Who we are is a mixture of nature and nurture. Some traits are inherited, such as intelligence and creativity. Other traits are learned.
Asking for help is a skill that needs to be developed and practiced. Every time you do it, it gets easier.
But it can still be a struggle at times, especially if you are trying to build relationships and network for personal and professional develop.
When you do ask for help, be sure to be clear and concise in your request. Explain what you need and why it is important to you.
Ensure you offer to assist in return; this will make people feel that their help is valued and appreciated.
If you are asked for help and it feels overwhelming, consider bringing along a supportive friend or colleague to support you. This will alleviate the burden and allow you to receive the assistance without feeling too overwhelmed or pressured.
The follow up process is essential for building relationships and networking for personal and professional develop. This includes reaching out and connecting with new people as well as nurturing existing connections to keep them happy and engaged.
A good follow up schedule maps out touch points and communication timelines, so that no leads fall through the cracks or are missed in between. Use email, snail mail, phone, and social to keep your prospects on your radar and ensure they're never forgotten.
Follow ups are also a great way to upsell or make a sale, as long as they are done properly. This is a key part of customer service etiquette, and it can make or break your business.