What are the best ways to network with colleagues while working remotely?

In my experience, It is not obligatory to conduct online meetings solely focused on tasks, considering that we are robots. However, engaging in conversations about other individuals, their health, well-being, and weekend activities is crucial for fostering social connections and networking with colleagues or team members. Cultivating a genuinely healthy relationship will undoubtedly enhance productivity in the workplace.

Networking with colleagues while working remotely involves leveraging digital communication platforms. Participate actively in virtual team meetings and discussions. Join online company events, workshops, and webinars. Engage with colleagues through internal chat channels, sharing insights and experiences. Initiate virtual coffee breaks or lunch meetings for informal conversations. Collaborate on projects or cross-functional teams to build connections. Utilize professional social media networks like LinkedIn to stay connected and share relevant content. Offer help or expertise and be open to learning from others. Foster relationships through regular communication and shared interests.

Entre algunas de las estrategias para establecer contactos mientras trabajas de forma remota: 1.- Reuniones Virtuales: Organiza video-llamadas regulares para mantener la comunicación. 2.- Herramientas de Colaboración: Utiliza plataformas como Teams o Slack para la comunicación diaria. 3.- Eventos Sociales Virtuales: Organiza actividades sociales en línea para fomentar la camaradería. 4.- Mentoría Remota: Establece programas de mentoría para compartir conocimientos. 5.- Feedback Regular: Proporciona y solicita retroalimentación para mantener la conexión. Espero que estas estrategias pueden ayudarte a mantener la conexión con tus colegas a distancia. Hasta la próxima, Saludos.

LinkedIn is a powerful platform for remote networking. Connect with colleagues, join relevant industry groups, and engage in discussions. Share your expertise through posts and articles, and endorse or recommend your connections. Participate in virtual events hosted on LinkedIn, and don't hesitate to reach out for virtual coffee meetings or informational interviews. Utilizing LinkedIn effectively allows you to maintain professional connections, showcase your skills, and stay updated within your industry, even when working remotely.

I learnt this from a colleague, share content internally with your colleagues, it could be any interesting article, a screen-grab of something interesting you saw, an e-book, any URL etc. Share and ask their views to strike a conversation. The harder part is taking the initiative to signal what intrigues you as a person. Take the first step, send the article that you just read and in most cases like minded individuals are able to strike a conversation and identify common interests.

When I wanted to better understand each stage of the sales process, I utilized our internal chat to introduce myself, then scheduled time with leaders and experts by reiterating my objectives. I learned more about each individual's career progression and personal interests (family, hobbies,..). I gained an extended network within the company and an appreciation for being supported to learn.

Virtual coffee breaks offer several benefits: 1. **Informal Interaction:** They provide a relaxed environment for colleagues to engage in casual conversations, fostering a more informal and friendly atmosphere. 2. **Building Relationships:** By discussing non-work topics, participants have the opportunity to get to know each other on a personal level, strengthening professional relationships. 3. **Team Bonding:** Virtual coffee breaks contribute to team bonding by creating a sense of camaraderie among colleagues, even in a remote work setting.

in my experience in IBM, while we all were on quarantine and working from home, I offered colleagues to organize online team-building, we have chosen interesting subject, and each of us took a cup of coffee, sweets and we start discussion, with seld presentation, funny stories, this interaction helps us to know eacj other more closely, and in friendly atmosphere in spite of the fact we work remotely.