What do you do if you want to build a strong professional network in Workforce Management?

1 Identify your goals

Before you reach out to anyone, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve from your network. Do you want to learn new skills, find mentors, get referrals, or collaborate on projects? Your goals will shape who you connect with and how you communicate with them. Write down your specific and realistic goals and use them as a guide for your networking strategy.

2 Research potential contacts

Once you have your goals in mind, you can start looking for people who can help you achieve them. You can use various sources to find potential contacts, such as online platforms, industry events, publications, or referrals. Look for people who have relevant experience, expertise, or influence in WFM and who share your interests or values. Make a list of people you want to connect with and prioritize them based on their relevance and accessibility.

3 Reach out and build rapport

The next step is to initiate contact with your potential contacts and establish a rapport with them. You can use different methods to reach out, such as email, phone, social media, or face-to-face. The key is to be respectful, polite, and professional. Introduce yourself briefly, explain why you are interested in them, and ask for their permission to connect. If they agree, follow up with a thank-you message and express your appreciation. Then, start building rapport by sharing relevant information, asking questions, and offering value. Show genuine interest in them and their work and avoid being pushy or salesy.

4 Maintain and grow your network

Once you have established a connection with someone, you need to maintain and grow your network over time. You can do this by staying in touch regularly, providing feedback, offering support, and acknowledging their achievements. You can also look for ways to deepen your relationship, such as meeting in person, collaborating on projects, or introducing them to other contacts. Remember to be consistent, respectful, and reciprocal in your interactions and to keep track of your contacts and their needs.

5 Evaluate and improve your network

Finally, you need to evaluate and improve your network periodically. You can do this by reviewing your goals and assessing how your network is helping you achieve them. You can also ask for feedback from your contacts and see how you can improve your communication or value proposition. You may need to adjust your strategy, expand your network, or prune some contacts based on your results. The goal is to have a network that is relevant, diverse, and mutually beneficial for you and your contacts.

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?