However, it doesn’t have to solely mean people who are external to your business or work environment. What about the people who work with you? It doesn’t matter if it’s your business, and these people are your staff (though, you should automatically be networking with them), or you’re that member of staff. No matter who you are, where you are in your career, or what you do, you should be establishing and building relationships with your co-workers. With all that said, here are our top 3 reasons why we think YOU should be networking.
Whilst this might not feature on some people’s lists of priorities, here at People Matters we think it’s the most important reason.
When you network, whether internally or externally, you can’t help but learn. It might be learning what another department does and how your role fits in to the overall structure of an organisation. It might be learning how to better handle your mileage or expenses claims. Perhaps you’ll pick up tips for managing long term absences at work.
Whatever it is, and whatever the situation, there is always the chance to learn – whether formally through workshops, more casually through learning points and other member presentations, or by asking individuals specific questions.
Frankly, if you’re networking, and not learning, then you’re doing it wrong and missing a huge piece of the puzzle.
This will be most people’s primary reason or networking, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. If we’re talking about a business owner or sales manager going out to network then it needs to be financially viable. You will lose time, as well as have to pay for your membership, so you have to feel like you’re getting something back.
Of course, that something doesn’t always have to be financial gain – but who doesn’t want referrals or leads? The key here though is that those things don’t happen overnight. You cannot expect to pay your first month’s membership fee and suddenly get £25,000 of new business. You have got to build and develop those relationships, and that can take months. Allow people to get to know you, trust you, and then they can feel confident in putting your name forward on your behalf.
If you’re a solo-preneur, or even if you work in a larger organisation, the social aspects of networking can be good for everyone. Working for yourself can feel very isolating at times – networking gives you the opportunity to bounce ideas around with other people, to realise others have the same problems you do (as well as tips on how to solve them), and there are often chances to get out and about and do something different.
In a team of three the chances are you’re not going to spring for a Christmas do. However, find a few other people in the same boat, and before you know it you have a proper gathering of people with similar interests. It’s a great way to expand your horizons, and maybe even have a little fun.
