Networking is a vital skill for anyone who wants to start a career in business strategy. It can help you find mentors, learn from experts, discover opportunities, and build your reputation. But how can you network effectively when you are new to the field and don't have many contacts? Here are some tips to help you grow your network and make a positive impression.
Before you start reaching out to people, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve from networking. Do you want to learn more about a specific industry, role, or topic? Do you want to find potential employers, clients, or partners? Do you want to get feedback on your work or ideas? Having a specific goal will help you target your networking efforts and communicate your value proposition.
En mi experiencia planifico mi objetivo y busco identificar quienes son las personas a las que le puede interesar mi producto o servicio, y los aspectos que mas considero son: El rubro donde se encuentra la persona, ubicacion geografica, identidad de su potencial necesidad y solucion que puedo brindarle, tambien es importante el medio de comunicación que me permitira llegar a las personas, puede ser correo, whatsapp, redes sociales o referidos en eventos y aca inciia el gran protagonista desarrollar una red de relaciones que permita aumentar tus contacto con fidelización desde el momento cero
Once you have your goal, you need to find out who are the people that can help you achieve it. You can use online platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, or industry forums to identify and follow the influencers, thought leaders, and practitioners in your field of interest. You can also look for relevant events, webinars, podcasts, or blogs where you can learn from and interact with them. You should also leverage your existing connections, such as alumni, colleagues, friends, or family, to get introductions or referrals.
If you're starting a career in business strategy from scratch, it can be useful to reach out to the alumni from your school. Alumni are usually pretty happy to connect with each other, and it's a low-risk ask that doesn't require a lot from them personally. When I started out on LinkedIn, I filtered my LinkedIn search by people who were a "2nd-degree connection," "graduate of my school," and then reached out to each of them with a personal message. Once I'd given them some time to respond, I found it opened up a new set of second-degree connections to meet, and it filled my LinkedIn feed with interesting posts and articles where I could learn about new concepts, forums, or blogs to follow. Thanks to the folks who chatted with me back then!
When you contact someone for networking, you should always aim to provide some value to them, not just ask for favors. You can offer to share your insights, feedback, or resources on a topic they are interested in. You can also compliment their work, ask thoughtful questions, or express genuine curiosity. You should also be respectful of their time and availability, and avoid sending generic or spammy messages. You want to show that you are genuinely interested in them and their work, not just in what they can do for you.
In my five years as a pharmacist, I've come to appreciate the power of providing value. When networking, it's not just about what you can gain, but what you can contribute. Share insights from your unique perspective – how digital health intersects with pharmacy, for example. This not only showcases your expertise but also establishes you as a valuable contributor to the business strategy discussions.
Networking is not a one-time event, but a continuous process of building and nurturing relationships. You should always follow up with the people you network with, thank them for their time and help, and keep them updated on your progress. You should also look for ways to add value to them over time, such as sharing relevant information, introducing them to other contacts, or supporting their projects. You should also seek their feedback, advice, or guidance on your career development and goals.
En mi experiencia las relaciones las mantengo a traves de la generación de experiencias positivas y buscar estar en la mente del otro en todo momento para que cuando tenga una necesidad me contacte, les recomiendo tener una base de datos de sus contactos, con cumplea?os, aniversarios, profesion, gustos, entorno familiar, hobbies que te permitan estar presente en estas ocasiones y fidelizar a tu cliente
I love that this section was included in the article. Follow-up is going to make all the difference. Building lasting relationships in business strategy demands ongoing engagement. One strategy I've found impactful is scheduling periodic check-ins. Find a helpful reason to reach out. Consistent communication not only maintains rapport but also strengthens connections over time. Consider organizing virtual networking events. These events provide a platform for connections to interact, fostering a community where ideas are exchanged and collaborations sprout organically. If the follow-up process is difficult for people, make it easy for them by hosting virtual networking. THey'll be relieved that someone else made it easy for them.
Networking is not only about connecting with people who are already in your field or industry, but also with people who have different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. You can learn a lot from people who are in other domains, sectors, or regions, and who can challenge your assumptions, expose you to new opportunities, or inspire you with new ideas. You can also network with people who have similar interests, passions, or values as you, and who can support you on a personal level.
Networking is a powerful way to start and advance your career in business strategy. By following these tips, you can network effectively and build meaningful relationships that can help you grow as a professional and as a person.
My journey from pharmacist to digital health strategist has been marked by a constant thirst for knowledge and growth. Similarly, in business strategy, don't limit yourself to a narrow network. Engage with professionals beyond your immediate field. Embrace diverse perspectives, as they can provide fresh insights and open doors to unexpected collaborations that might revolutionize healthcare strategies.
Lembre-se de que o networking n?o se trata apenas de obter benefícios para você mesmo, mas também de oferecer valor aos outros e construir relacionamentos genuínos. Seja autêntico, interessado e generoso em suas intera??es e você colherá os frutos de um networking eficaz. A dica é simples: dê o primeiro passo, n?o tenha medo e assuma o controle de sua carreira e de sua marca pessoal. No início, pode parecer desafiador e você pode se sentir um pouco deslocado, mas com consistência, isso se tornará mais fácil e, acima de tudo, produtivo. Tenha certeza de que, com dedica??o, você colherá muitos frutos.