Entrepreneurs around the world have counted on networking for their business. Such is the power of networking. Relations, be it personal or professional, always help. They prove to be lifesavers at times, mainly when an organization necessitates a helping hand in terms of sponsorship, customers, building other nexus, and maintaining a reputation in the market. Porter Gale once quoted, “Your network is your net worth.” In short, to perpetuate profitability, sustainability, communication, and long-term outperformance in one’s business, building quality and reliable connections is crucial, and networking helps to make this on the cards!
There’s a critical difference between networking and connecting; the former means knowing more and more people out there, whereas connecting refers to learning more about people. By improving your network, finding valuable connections becomes easy. Networking through the market is critical for long-term referrals and partners and increasing market share.
The importance of personal connections and networking in an organization is unparalleled and there are multiple reasons how they can turn a company into a business giant.
- It introduces up-to-the-minute opportunities, ideas, and proposals.
- Networking uprears the company’s profile and gets it into notice.
- One gets in touch with experienced expertise.
- Networking provides and widens the referrals for one’s enterprise.
- One gets a perception about state-of-the-art techniques, insights, and perspectives to approach a business plan.
- They get support at times of emergencies.
- Networking assists in forming long-lasting relations.
- It, too, helps in keeping an update on the market.
- Via networking, professional collaborations become facile.
- One can get help with monetary needs quickly.
The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown a wrench into traditional networking tactics. It has suddenly given isolation to the in-person meetings, big-room conferences, and various organizational meet-ups. The employees too were supposed to operate in such an atmosphere, the way they never thought! Numerous businesses were facing loss in this networking game, which turned out to be beneficial for some firms later!
All and sundry in the world was making a try to flatten the curve of the covid cases. It seemed to be a golden chance from the institutional point of view! Contrary to the pre-pandemic era, businesses found this a great fortuity to build and shape their efficient online profile, enlargen their business circle, and connect with many people and organizations globally with ease!
Networking is an entrepreneur lifeline, irrespective of the conditions! It is more of a necessity than an option. Although the pandemic has been challenging for many businesses to shut, this didn’t work for building tie-ups!
The online working culture has removed the geographical hurdles for the syndicates to arrange meet-ups and conferences that used to be a thing of hassle, matching the location and availability schedules of two or more participating parties.
So, networking will carry its importance in all eras!
As the lockdown crop ups to an end gradually, and things are wrapping up to be back to the pre-covid scenario, various companies are opting up for a hybrid work environment. This implies a blend of remote working and office-working atmosphere. The development of digital and soft skills in the workforce makes the staff equally compatible and comfortable to work remotely, significantly contributing to the company’s problem-solving, innovation, and ideation tasks.
Creating a workaholic, inspiring, and valuable cadre of white-collar colleagues sitting at a chair is now possible instantly, anywhere globally. But, with a fresh resume to the offline work culture, most companies are looking for is taking a 360-degree view on the skill and performance of the task force.
According to Herminia Ibarra’s ideology, “Networking is a lot like nutrition and fitness; we know what to do, the hard part is making it a top priority.” So here are the various ways that one must adapt to network, during and after the covid era:
- Authenticity: People are craving to build genuine and non-transactional connections. Such people and organizations are present across continents and time zones. What one needs to do on his part is to be authentic and relational to them!
- Digitalize: Building up one’s digital image is the simplest thing he could do sitting at home. The phone is such a communication tool that allows one’s business to master connectivity with customers and corporations! So, start by building a compelling profile of your own and your firm. Let more and more people know!
- Be creative and precise: Approach people in different ways, and never stop growing your network. They should be clear with what digital assets the organization needs to offer in the market.
- Follow and know the industry experts: The new networking norms majorly are Zoom, FaceTime, Teams, Google Meet, and other online meeting applications. Use them the most efficient way, organize monthly meet-ups, discuss the norms of collaborations, etc. Besides, be active on the social networks in creating value, reach, and fortuity.
- Play an empathetic role: Networking is about knowing a large number of people! It is more about bridging ideas and less about connecting with people and businesses. Agree? Be creative in one-to-one interactions and helping people out there!
- Old is Gold: Start the post-pandemic working culture by resuming connectivity and relations with the old contacts and collaborations. Begin the work that old way, and get into their like-minded connections’ radar. They are the key collaborators that could help the most in the organization’s growth.
- Flat-Structured Organization: Startups tend to have such a structure, which elevates each employee’s responsibility and expels excess management layers to enhance coordination and information. Fewer levels between workers promote the decision-making process between teams. The lack of necessity for middle administrators supports the organization’s budget.
