How do you maintain your networking and collaboration skills?

1 Set goals and priorities

Before you start reaching out to your network or engaging in collaboration projects, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and why. What are your short-term and long-term goals for your practice? How can networking and collaboration help you reach them? Who are the most relevant and valuable contacts for your objectives? How much time and resources can you allocate to networking and collaboration activities? Setting goals and priorities will help you focus your efforts and avoid wasting time or energy on irrelevant or low-impact connections or tasks.

2 Use online tools and platforms

Technology has made networking and collaboration easier and more accessible than ever. You can use online tools and platforms to find, connect, and communicate with other practice managers, experts, mentors, clients, and partners. For example, you can use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter to build your personal brand, share your insights, join groups, and follow influencers. You can also use online directories, forums, blogs, podcasts, webinars, and newsletters to discover and learn from other sources of information and inspiration. Additionally, you can use online collaboration tools like Google Docs, Slack, Zoom, or Asana to work on projects, share files, chat, and video conference with your collaborators.

3 Be proactive and consistent

Networking and collaboration are not one-time events, but ongoing processes that require regular attention and action. You need to be proactive and consistent in reaching out to your network and collaborators, and in following up with them. Don't wait for opportunities to come to you, but create them yourself by initiating conversations, asking questions, offering help, giving feedback, and expressing gratitude. Don't let your contacts or projects go cold, but keep them warm by staying in touch, updating them on your progress, and checking in on their needs and challenges. Be responsive and reliable, and show that you value and respect your network and collaborators.

4 Be curious and open-minded

Networking and collaboration are also learning opportunities that can help you expand your knowledge, skills, and perspectives. You can learn a lot from your network and collaborators, but you need to be curious and open-minded to do so. Don't be afraid to ask questions, listen actively, and seek feedback. Don't be defensive or dismissive of different opinions, ideas, or approaches. Don't be complacent or arrogant about your own expertise or experience. Instead, be humble and willing to learn from others, and to share your own insights and resources. Be open to new possibilities, opportunities, and partnerships that can enrich your practice and your career.

5 Evaluate and improve

Finally, networking and collaboration are not static, but dynamic skills that can always be improved and refined. You need to evaluate and improve your networking and collaboration skills regularly, based on your goals, priorities, feedback, and results. What are the strengths and weaknesses of your networking and collaboration skills? What are the benefits and challenges of your networking and collaboration activities? What are the best practices and tips that you have learned or applied? What are the areas that you need to work on or develop further? How can you measure and track your networking and collaboration performance and impact? Evaluating and improving your networking and collaboration skills will help you optimize your outcomes and satisfaction.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?