How do you expand your professional network outside your team?

Definitely, having an objective(s)/SMART goals that align with your career/personal development is a must before reaching out to potential contacts . It enables you to identify the right contacts as well as ask the right questions.

indeed, do not go randomly looking for contacts and or potential prospects. First, you need to set a geographic region where you want to find contacts from, then you should set the main characteristic of these contacts that are the most important to you. With that in hands, you can start your search.

I have built my professional network by joining events about business related topics or personal interests. To me, getting to know each other personally, is a big asset. Before approaching someone during an event, I always checked their vibes. Do they look like an open minded person? Are they smiling? Is it easy to talk to them? When my intuition said yes, let's go, nine out of 10 times I had a really nice conversation. I also remember a party where I felt completely left aside. Whilst looking around the party location, I spotted another lady, standing at the corner with her glass of prosecco feeling as disconnected as I felt. I walked over to her, smiled and said "I feel like we have something in common" and we engaged in a conversation.

I have found online platforms and working groups to be convenient for expanding my network, especially the former. I have a low social battery and sometimes get overwhelmed with in-person events. Online platforms, most especially those that cater to a particular industry and/or created by professional or certification bodies serve as a great avenue for easily meeting people you may have common career interests with.

totally agree! with these new tools hat we have in our hands nowadays, it is a lot easier for you to find new contacts from anywhere in the globe. Of course, after the first virtual interactions, it is always a very important thing to meet your contacts in person, at least once in a while.

I agree with this. Nothing beats in-person interactions as it allows for your personality and passion to easily shine through. However, I believe online events are a great complement to offline ones and can serve as a precursor to it. This may provide a certain level of comfort for the participants during the in-person events and may make them less clinical.

All forms of relationships need maintenance and professional ones are no exception. There is responsibility placed on the person looking to expand/build their network to take the initiative of reaching out regularly. There is a need for constant open and constructive communication/conversations/interactions led by you. For instance, in a mentor/mentee relationship, the former is expected to drive the relationship since they are perceived to, and in reality benefit more from it while the latter serves more as a guide.

I have found LinkedIn to be quite helpful with this especially when it comes to connecting with professionals in the same line of work or industry; the insights and opportunities they share are helpful for use for myself and my colleagues/acquaintances whom I share with. Other social media platforms such as Facebook also work well enough when navigated properly - a friend is a testament to this.

The best way to expand your networking and connections is through social media platforms, groups of professionals, entrepreneurs, business areas, etc. It is vital to be willing to step out of the box and face with discomfort the challenges that mean scaling your personal and professional profile. Personal branding can be developed and positioned through personal activities or not such as Meet Ups, Webinars, Youtube podcasts, etc. The key is to be exposed in social networks and let people see the activities you do to generate individual and community growth.

Expanding your professional network beyond your team involves these steps: 1. **Attend Events**: Participate in industry conferences, workshops, seminars, and meetups to connect with professionals from diverse backgrounds. 2. **Online Networking**: Utilize platforms like LinkedIn to connect with colleagues, industry experts, and potential mentors. Engage in discussions and share valuable content. 3. **Alumni Networks**: Tap into your educational institution's alumni network to connect with people who share a common background. 4. **Volunteer or Join Organizations**: Join professional associations, community groups, or non-profit organizations related to your field. Volunteering can help you connect.