How can you maintain a strong network in consulting remotely?

LinkedIn and other social platforms can be a great way to grow your network in an authentic way and scale globally with ease. Remember: - Give before you take - Bring something unique - Make your content relevant for the audience you want to attract - Be consistent: do the same thing for 2-3 years and you’ll be flying. Don’t judge on 2-3 months - Learn the algorithm: like it or not it will play a big part in your distribution

- Be genuine and demonstrate the same in connecting with people - Schedule regular check-in - focus on “what’s in it for the other person” - focus on mutual benefit

- while online platforms do help, strategic connections need a periodic physical connect. - it is important to be honest and genuine in your conversations to build deeper connections overtime - care and empathy go a long way in building deeper and lasting connections

Scale your care. People give the best of their lives to employers who care and capitalize on it. Understanding people as people is key to their levels of engagement and bonding at work. Effective networking is then a desirable byproduct...

Gen Y and Z are the most connected individuals and the use of online platforms became one of the key elements of their identities and defines who they are. This will naturally be reflected on their work attitude and orientations. So networking remotely is not that difficult for them. Therefore what needs to be kept in mind is that unlike the use of social media, online professional networking needs to be more mindful and respectful towards the different cultures and backgrounds. Staying professional and respectful will help growing your network and gives you the benefits of being in touch with other professionals who can help you grow.

This one is key. There were several times early in my career that I wanted to connect with anyone. But lessons were learned where it showed that wasn't always the best choice. As much as I enjoy people, one must be selective in one's professional network. The number of how many thousand connections looks nice but whats the substance? Different perspectives are important but there's always the law of diminishing returns. Too much of a good thing can backfire and connections want to connect with you for a reason. You should think along the same lines. Strategically

The emphasis should be on cultivating quality and depth in relationships rather than networking for its own sake. It's essential to engage in interactions that are not only meaningful and constructive but also align with the goals of your potential clients. This approach ensures that each connection you make advances both your objectives and theirs, fostering a mutually beneficial network. By focusing on the value and relevance of each relationship, you create a solid foundation for long-term professional partnerships, where both parties see tangible progress towards their goals.

Being strategic and selective are critical factors in maintaining a strong professional network. It’s as important to manage your network strength with realistic expectations. The pandemic aftershocks are still being felt. Gen X’s transition in taking over the C-suite is only 60% complete. Geopolitical conflicts are a potential powder keg. And, layoffs and resignations continue unabated. Some of my professional network are among those who are exiting. Clearly, I needed a new maintenance model to hold the “inner circle” of my network together. I settled on creating a four-person informal Board of Directors in 2023. It exceeded my expectations. I’m adding new board members in 2024. DM me if you’re interested in the details.

Ao expandir minha rede, busco conex?es que se alinhem com meus objetivos e expertise. é essencial focar na qualidade das conex?es em vez da quantidade, buscando profissionais com interesses e valores similares para estabelecer parcerias sólidas e duradouras.

While using social media you may come across people whose voices resonate with you or your aspirations. I suggest making a list of them, turning on notifications for when they post, and engaging with their posts in meaningful ways with your thoughts' help. On LinkedIn, you can even repost with your thoughts. If you need collaborators you must first be friendly. Take time to be friends virtually and things will move from there.

To be proactive and consistent in networking, I assembled a group of consultants who serve as a mastermind group. We have scheduled meetings every quarter and email each other in between these sessions.

Mantener el contacto con tus contactos es fundamental para mantener una red de contactos sólida. Envía correos electrónicos, mensajes de texto o llama a tus contactos regularmente para mantenerlos actualizados sobre tus proyectos y para preguntarles sobre los suyos. No esperes a que tus contactos se comuniquen contigo. Sé proactivo y comunícate con ellos regularmente. Ofrece ayuda y recursos cuando puedas, y haz que sepan que estás disponible para ayudarlos en cualquier momento.

In the consulting world, proactivity means taking the initiative to solve problems before they become big headaches. It's like staying one step ahead. Consistency is all about being steady and reliable in your work—doing what you say you'll do. When consultants are both proactive and consistent, clients feel confident and satisfied because they get reliable results and a partner who's on top of things. It's the key to building long-lasting trust and a solid professional reputation.

Every year/month we set goals. Adding Networking is a key way to grow your career. List out action items for really being social regularly. Make it a habit. Networks provide so much value that the habit of networking shouldn't be left to chance.

Manter a consistência na intera??o é crucial. Estou sempre atento para oferecer suporte, compartilhar conhecimento ou simplesmente manter contato regular, demonstrando interesse genuíno nas pessoas da minha rede. Essa proatividade fortalece os la?os mesmo à distancia.

For any consulting engagement to be successful, both the parties must trust each other’s contributions. To achieve this listening is a fine art, it builds the desired rapport between them. Once this occurs magic happens and they start sharing the actual problems and implicit needs. Unless the consultant uncovers the actual problem or the issue to be addressed no amount of time will change anything meaningfully for them. A right mix of probing, presenting possible solutions and healthy discussion around feasible options will make the way forward more effective and clearer. Arriving at conclusions too soon or attempting to solve superficial issues may not achieve long term consistent sustainable outcomes.

Being Authentic is not just about giving professional information in a righteous manner. But a main part of maintaining a network is making real connections with your audience. At first the audience should relate to the person dispersing the content, and then it should be with the content itself. By doing this, what you say and how you say it will carry more worth and will present your most authentic and engaging self out there.

There have been movie actors who tried to follow the acting styles of other successful actors, ending up being not successful. Reason? They couldn't keep up or weren't able to do it best because they were just copying someone else. Similarly in consulting, if you're genuine, authentic and being your own self, you are unique, best at it and success cannot be far away.

Offering value while engaging in online communities and communicate with your online connections play a big part in maintaining a strong network in consulting remotely and also create opportunities. For instant, a business coach from another country reach out to me for an advice about coaching and business coaching market insights in the GCC area and Egypt. After we exchanged some information and knew about his expertise, I recommended him for an opportunity in his country that I knew about. However, it is a real challenge for introverted individuals to reach out to new connections. Though I encourage introvert individuals to connect, planning the communication and clearly stating the goal of the conversation help in decreasing anxiety.

Ao interagir com consultores, busco ser autêntico e mostrar interesse verdadeiro em suas experiências e contribui??es. Utilizo diferentes formas de comunica??o, como newsletters ou webinars, para manter um diálogo aberto e envolvente, mantendo viva a conex?o.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020 and the associated social distancing, more and more professionals have been working remotely / from home. Furthermore working remote allows for less, wasted commute time as well as enhanced childcare / family management. You as a consultant need to be aware of the rise of remote work and adapt to your clients’ platforms and schedules to meet them where they are and collaborate with them as effectively as possible.

A adapta??o é chave na constru??o de uma rede sólida. Estou sempre aberto a mudan?as e ajustes, considerando as preferências e necessidades dos consultores. Isso permite que eu me adeque a diferentes estilos de comunica??o e ambientes profissionais variados.

Whether virtually or in person: - Prioritise quality over quantity: there’s no point in having 100s of network contacts if those relationships lack quality and depth - Be authentic and real: whether remotely or otherwise, this will help build a trustworthy, sustainable and lasting bond with the counterpart, one that can withstand the test of time - Focus on the value that that relationship will drive both, for oneself and for the business bilaterally - Think strategically of the value the network will bring, and not just tactically or short-term needs - Be aware of, clear about, and transparent on any limitations on both sides - Invest the time and effort in not just building, but more importantly sustaining that network relation

Além desses aspectos, é importante estar atualizado com as tendências do mercado, explorar novas formas de colabora??o e criar oportunidades para troca de conhecimento e experiências entre os consultores.

That flexibility is key. Ensuring you create space on your calendar will also keep one consistent. Plan various creative ways to keep yourself engaging and visible. Ideas like podcasting,blogging and even creating a Vlog or Linkedin Newsletter will keep you top of mind.