You're looking to build your professional network in Business Operations. What's the best way to do it?

1 Define your goals

Before you start reaching out to people, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve from your networking efforts. Do you want to learn new skills, find a mentor, explore different industries, or land a job? Having a specific goal will help you identify who to contact, what to say, and how to follow up. It will also help you measure your progress and adjust your strategy if needed.

3 Initiate and sustain conversations

The next step is to initiate contact with the people you have identified. You can use email, social media, or phone calls to introduce yourself, explain your goal, and ask for their advice, feedback, or support. Be respectful, concise, and professional in your communication, and avoid asking for favors or jobs right away. Instead, focus on building rapport and trust by expressing appreciation, asking relevant questions, and sharing valuable insights. To sustain the conversation, follow up regularly, update them on your progress, and offer your help if possible.

4 Expand your network

While it is important to nurture your existing connections, you should also look for ways to expand your network and reach new people. You can do this by attending online or offline events related to business operations, such as webinars, workshops, conferences, or meetups. You can also join online groups or forums where you can participate in discussions, share your expertise, and learn from others. Another way to expand your network is to ask your contacts for introductions or recommendations to other people who might be interested in your goal.

7 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?