How do you build connections in your target sector?

Often, we know we want to make a change but not the target sector. A combination of reflection, brainstorming, prototyping, and action often must occur before someone can reach this first step of identifying a target sector. Talking to an executive coach or career strategists specializing in design thinking can be a helpful way to reach this first step!

BE UNIQUE & DEMAND UR PRICE! Merc & BMW are costly because they are not run of the mill. TAJ is costly as they give worldclass service – different from what the general ones give. By copying somebody unique - you are a duplicate! A duplicate Amitabh Bachhan gets paid less than 0.005 % of what he gets. Dont be a below average somebody BE the unique ME! People who need somebody like you will take you for your price. Become indispensible and not replaceable Work on your unique self & see yourself grow & rise. Tendulkar, Lata Mangeshkar & Virat Kohli did it! Invest time, energy & attention for effort on self Effort leads to excellence, comfort leads to complacency! ‘Discover Yourself’ – know more - 9945006600

I'm truly grateful for the invitation to be a part of this captivating discussion. I believe the cornerstone of constructing impactful ties within your target sector is 'engagement'. Crafting connections that truly resonate demands your proactive involvement across networking events, social media, industry conferences, and various platforms. By igniting authentic dialogues, exchanging insights, and demonstrating a genuine fascination with the endeavors of others, you catalyze the cultivation of invaluable relationships within your chosen domain. What do you think?

I appreciate the opportunity to contribute my insights to this significant question. In my view, the key factor for establishing connections in your target sector is 'authenticity'. Constructing authentic relationships grounded in trust, transparency, and mutual understanding lays the bedrock for robust and enduring connections across all sectors.

I often tell my clients that NICHE is everything. There is a misconception that a generalist software developer or generalist service provider will get more offers and more money. The reality is quite different. Let me show you an example. Back in my QA days, I started as a generalist QA engineer. I was doing web, API testing, and mobile. I could do it all. But I started earning good income only when I niched down to iOS test automation with XCUITest and Swift. No, I did not write my test automation in 10 programming languages. No, I could not do Android and iOS and Web, and hybrid and ReactNavive. How did it impact my pay ??? I went from $125K per year to $145K per year. Riches are in the niches my friend!

Strategic networking. This is another pillar of a successful career and business. You might be brilliant but you won't make it alone! You need a good community, the right people, the right mentor, and the right coach!

Networking is like a treasure hunt; you're searching for gems in a vast landscape. Start with the gems you already have in your pocket - your existing contacts. They might hold the key to unlocking doors in your target sector. And in today's digital age, you have a treasure map - social media and professional platforms. Dive in, engage, and follow the trails. You never know which connection might lead you to the chest of opportunities you seek. So, be curious, be bold, and explore. Your next big opportunity might just be a conversation away.

We also have to consider the fact that identifying people will take time, energ and effort. Just joining groups or associations won't suffice, you need to be a step ahead. Actively engagae with people in your target sector on the their social media pages if they are active and genuinely start appreciting them for their work, by sharing what aspects of their work inspire you. This helps you to get noticed in a memorable way.

LinkedIn is a great place to do this! Identify the thought leaders and those active in conversations around your target and start interacting with their content. Build warm rapport that can help you create authentic connections.

… whatever you want, (customers/suppliers/partners) they are investing in you. Build the relationship, listen to them, find out who they are, what makes them tick.

The worst you can do is reach out to someone, whether it's a contact you've known for years or a new connection, and ask for something that benefits you and not them. Making an ask that serves their self-interest won't just be a motivator for them to say yes, it will make it a no-brainer for them to help you.

Jab jab jab jab, right hook. This meaning Give Give Give, then ask for something in return. I often see so many DMs like "Hi! I need a job can you refer me?" The answer is NO. I don't know you! You have not built a relationship with me. However, if we interacted and I know you and you're in my community. Then yes! Absolutely!

Very true, its important to be intentional here. For eg, i have been writing to ankur warikoo, a super popular content creator accross platforms inluding linkedin. And he recieves thousands of emails each day, and everytime i write an email i hear back from him. So know why you are connecting, so that it compels the reader on the other end to respond. That would definetly improve your confidence too, and make you realise what is working when you are reaching out to an absolute stranger.

"Reaching out" to a potential contact should not be viewed as a transactional activity. Rather, it is the first step in a relationship building process. Too often I've seen people stress themselves out approaching these conversations as do or die sales calls. Slow down people, get to know the other person, be curious, be courteous and work towards building the Know, Like, and Trust elements. Most importantly, never bait and switch. Make sure it is a research call and not a poorly disguised attempt to secure an interview. That subterfuge will get you kicked out of the office almost every time.

When reaching out, remember, it's not just about you; it's about building a connection. Your purpose should align with the interests and needs of the person you're contacting. Be genuine, and show that you value their insights or expertise. Customize your message to make it clear that this isn't a generic outreach. This personal touch goes a long way in sparking a meaningful conversation. Respect their time, be concise, and leave room for them to respond. Building connections is like planting seeds; nurture them, and they'll grow into valuable relationships.

Building rapport and trust is the foundation of any successful relationship, personal or professional. It's about creating a connection based on mutual respect and understanding. Be genuinely interested in the other person, their work, and their insights. Show appreciation for their time and expertise. Listening actively and empathetically can go a long way in establishing trust. Remember, trust is earned over time, so nurture these connections, and they can lead to valuable collaborations and opportunities in the future.

And I would love to add here, that building rapport and trust initially might be a lot of one way thing. So be a little patient, because good things take time. If your much pursued connections repond, never respond back to them in hurry. Let every step of this building trust process be very thoughtful and intentional, and eventually you will see people are responding the way you wanted them to.

Being authentic myself, allows to share genuine feelings and exchanges. This leads mostly to a respectful and trustworthy relationship. Even in business!

Building relationships in your target sector isn't just about what you can gain; it's also about what you can contribute. By offering value and support to your contacts, you not only strengthen those connections but also contribute positively to your professional community. It's a collaborative effort where everyone benefits. Sharing knowledge, resources, and opportunities is a great way to establish yourself as a valuable and trusted member of your sector. Remember, networking isn't just a transaction; it's about building meaningful, lasting relationships.

Networking is not only looking for benefits, but also to see how you can add value to your connections. There are ways and means to extend help and add value - * Add thought provoking comments to their posts online * Help in reposting good content to reach out to wider audiences * Help people in their job search by sharing their profile to relevant people in your network * Provide guidance/ coaching to juniors in your network * Organize sessions / webinars in your area of strengths If you continuously thinking as to how you can help and add value to others, you will automatically get benefit from your network.

It is important to recognise the value people you meet bring to the table. People love to be recognised and appreciated. A contact is more likely going to remember and value your connection when they remember how they felt meeting you. Bottom line, make sure to highlight value in others.

Absolutely agree! Effective networking is a dynamic give-and-take. It's not just about what you can receive, but what you can contribute to the new connection. Offering value through resource sharing, insights, and expanding the network of others creates a strong foundation of reciprocity. Being a reliable source of feedback, referrals, or assistance for others fosters genuine relationships. #networkbuilding

I try as much as I can to be available to support any request coming my way. This builds up your reputation organically and creates visibility of your expertise. You are then acknowledged in your expertise and you can share or transmit it. Wonderful feeling.

Expanding and diversifying your professional network is key for growth. I've found that engaging with people from different backgrounds and sectors broadens horizons and sparks innovation. For example, conversations with those in unrelated fields can create new business opportunities and offer valuable perspectives. While acting as a mentor, I also learn from my mentees' unique viewpoints. Similarly, as a mentee, I gain insights from those more experienced. In my view, a diverse network paves the ways to learning, sharing, and support that's invaluable in personal and professional development.

That's right. It gives the opportunity to understand differences of opinion and respect others' thoughts, beliefs, and feelings.

I started my Institution posts with a low number of views.. eventually the wide but quick reach and visibility in LinkedIn community elevated the views and my Content reaches my target audience promptly.. thanks to LinkedIn!

As I wrote in my profile, and quoting Mayou, people forget what you did and what you sais but people never forget how you made them feel. Keep that in mind when interacting with people.

It's important to remember that some connections will stick and others won't... and that's ok. Just like developing regular relationships and friendships, let things unfold organically. Always be respectful and supportive, but don't force things if the other party doesn't seem responsive or interested. Take a deep breath and move on... there are plenty more wonderful people out there waiting to meet you.

As you learn more about the industry, you will find a variety of roles and specialties within a profession. Find out more about these specialties by interviewing the people who are in these roles. You want to learn what they like about it, what the challenges are, and what you'll need to consider before going into these roles.