What do you do if you're an IT Strategy professional struggling to build your professional network?

I agree with all that is said by experts, I will add: gather good stories and references of your success. Success speaks louder than all networking and connections. And success lasts much longer.

Engaging online is not a choice but a necessity. However, it is important to choose your areas. If you can engage in conversations and contribute to articles with practical, real-life examples, then that will go a long way in building your professional network. You will earn respect, and people will want to know your ideas.

My personal experience is that I find LinkedIn as the best place to invest your money with. The quality of service and the mileage you can cover is worth every penny of your investment.

I will share a very simple idea which I have been practicing myself is that if you have any opportunity to help someone in your professional life then do not say "No" even if that request came at odd time say late Friday evening, during the weekend etc. If you are in emergency situation then that's a different story otherwise your YES would go long way in building the professional network. Trust me that you would not get these types pf request at odd timings (say weekend) for most of the time. it would come during regular hours except a handful (< 20% of the request) during odd hours

As a strategist, building a network starts with understanding the context of the community you choose to be a part of. Are you focused on a highly technical community and seeking opportunities to build your skills? Are you focused on a broader domain - technical sales perhaps? Seek professional organizations that offer opportunities to participate and engage with other professionals. Never stop learning and honing your skills and finally, when the opportunity presents itself, volunteer for leadership positions.

Networking is a participation sport. There are no two ways about it. Engage in person and online. Presenting at conferences, participating on panels, writing articles, and actively engaging are the most straightforward ways to build the network. Let people know you are open to network. Tell the audience to connect on LinkedIn or at the very least to follow. Anyone you meet, get their contact information and follow up on LinkedIN.

Based on my experience, attending industry events is a powerful way to build your network. When you go to conferences or meetups, be strategic—know who you want to meet and what you want to learn. Your elevator pitch should succinctly highlight your skills and interests. Post-event, follow-up is crucial. Send personalized messages to new contacts to reinforce the connection and explore potential collaboration opportunities.

Aus meiner Erfahrung ist es wichtig, sich sinnvoll zu vernetzen und ein Auge auf den aktuellen Markt zu haben. Besonders spannend ist es, Erfolgsgeschichten zu h?ren. Eine lohnende Investition in neuer Kontakte, den Wissensaustausch und den Zugang zu Erfolgsgeschichten ist die Teilnahme an Fachkonferenzen. Ich denke, dass diese Zeit gut angelegt ist. Zus?tzlich ist ratsam, die eigenen Online-Profile regelm??ig zu aktualisieren und interessant zu gestalten. Durch das Teilen von Erfolgsgeschichten und das Lernen aus Fehlern anderer kannst du die eigenen F?higkeiten verbessern. Netzwerken sollte nicht nur darauf abzielen, Kontakte zu knüpfen, sondern auch helfen, Wissen auszutauschen und von den Erfahrungen anderer (positiv) zu profitieren.

In every major city there are so many Technology meet up groups or user groups. Most are free to attend but attend with a purpose to meet a specific person or group of people. Then take the next step in volunteering at these events to further get ingrained.

Start by choosing the right events like tech conferences, industry seminars, or local meetups. Before the event, research who’s attending and plan to connect with key people. At the event, don’t be shy—introduce yourself and have a quick pitch about what you do and your interests. Attend sessions and participate in Q&A to get noticed. Make sure to collect business cards or connect on LinkedIn immediately. Follow up after the event with a friendly message to keep the conversation going. Remember, it’s all about building genuine relationships!

Seeking mentorship involves identifying potential mentors, reaching out effectively, and fostering a meaningful relationship. Start by identifying individuals in your field with the experience and knowledge you aspire to gain. Look for mentors through professional organizations, LinkedIn, industry events, or through recommendations from your network. When seeking mentorship, be respectful and specific. Set up regular meetings, come prepared, and be open to feedback. Show appreciation and look for ways to provide value. This approach can help develop a beneficial and lasting mentorship relationship.

Ajuda ao próximo dando sugest?o e direcionamento para apoiar as pessoas. Devemos apoiar as pessoas de forma em direcionar para o futuro uma vez que já fizemos a mesma coisa no passado

Mentors are a great way to get feedback and guidance. They can also be a great way to hold you accountable to your own progress. However, mentors aren’t that easy to find. Consider engaging with a coach on a regular schedule. A coach who is a good fit for you can help you accelerate personal learning and development even faster than a mentor will have time to in many cases.

Start by identifying experienced professionals in your field who you admire. Reach out to them via LinkedIn or through mutual connections, expressing your genuine interest in their career and asking if they'd be open to a brief chat. Prepare specific questions about their experiences and advice for your career path. For example, you could ask about their approach to IT strategy or how they expanded their network. After your meetings, stay in touch by updating them on your progress and thanking them for their guidance. This way, you're building a meaningful relationship and learning from their expertise.

A mentoria pode ser o divisor de águas para seu crescimento profissional, porém é importante avaliar quem procurar, estudar as entregas que a pessoa fez para n?o cair em furada, procure pessoas cuja trajetória profissional você admira e que tenham experiências relevantes para compartilhar e que você ache que vai agregar a você. Um mentor pode oferecer mais do que simplesmente expandir sua rede de contatos. Eles podem fornecer insights valiosos, orienta??o prática e conselhos baseados em sua própria experiência, o que pode acelerar significativamente seu desenvolvimento profissional. Além disso, ao estabelecer uma rela??o de mentoria, você também pode se beneficiar do feedback construtivo que ele trará para sua trajetória.

If anyone is looking for volunteer options at great company please look at Apparo! It’s an amazing technology non-profit helping out by give technical advising and technical solutions to other nonprofits. It’s built by a technology volunteer network and great way to reach out to connect with like minded people.

Look for non-profits, community organizations, or startups that could benefit from your expertise. Offer to help them with IT projects, strategy planning, or tech implementations. For example, you might help a local charity set up a new database system or advise a startup on their IT infrastructure. This not only gives you real-world experience but also connects you with people who can introduce you to their networks. Plus, you'll be making a positive impact, which always leaves a lasting impression. Keep an eye on online platforms like LinkedIn and community boards for volunteer opportunities.

Volunteering your expertise is an excellent way to expand your network. Offer your IT Strategy skills to non-profits or community events. This showcases your abilities and demonstrates your commitment to the field. Through volunteering, you meet professionals you might not encounter otherwise, leading to new opportunities and connections that can be beneficial for your career.

Oferecer suas habilidades voluntariamente é uma forma enriquecedora de construir sua rede no campo de Estratégia de TI. Ao dedicar seu tempo e expertise, você n?o só contribui para o crescimento da comunidade, mas também se destaca como um profissional generoso e engajado. Essa abordagem humanitária pode abrir portas para colabora??es futuras e fortalecer la?os com colegas que valorizam a iniciativa e a contribui??o altruísta. Além disso, o voluntariado pode ser uma plataforma para demonstrar suas habilidades em um ambiente prático, aumentando suas chances de ser notado por potenciais empregadores ou parceiros de negócios.

Creating content is essential, but creating content with your unique point of view is far more valuable. Read the POV of any three IT Strategy firms of your choice and then read the POV of all other IT Strategy firms. There is very little new insight one is going to get after reading the first three. Many professions, including the IT Strategy profession is mired by echo chamber effect and industry groupthink phenomenon. Bring in critical thinking to your content and just be authentic.

Start by sharing your insights and experiences through blog posts, LinkedIn articles, or even short tweets. For example, write about a recent project where you successfully implemented a new IT strategy or share tips on emerging tech trends. You could also create how-to videos or infographics that break down complex IT concepts. Consistency is key, so aim to post regularly. Engage with your audience by responding to comments and joining discussions. This not only showcases your expertise but also attracts like-minded professionals and potential collaborators.

Post some of your experiences, project deliverables, best practices. Seek out other professionals in the industry and make some connections. Trade shows are a great place to expand network. Even within your own organization - make an active effort to network with those you are not already connected with. Go out to lunch with some people you don't know - you might be surprised to find common interests that will lead you to further connections.

Creating and sharing content is a powerful networking tool. Write articles, blog posts, or create videos on IT Strategy topics. This establishes you as a thought leader and attracts attention to your professional profile. Share your content on platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to reach a broader audience. Engaging with feedback and comments on your posts further solidifies your network.

Devemos criar conteúdo, mas que adicione ideias corretas e na maior parte de ser certeira. Pois, a quantidade de postagens sem conteúdo ele pode te dar engajamentos negativos

Curiosity is an indicator of growth. A person who seeks new information and experiences will make new connections in due course. Live events, conferences, meetups, etc. provide a way to bolster one's expertise while creating opportunities for interaction with similarly interested professionals. Bring your whole, curious self to any discussion with and people notice your interest. That interest often leads to affinity which is really the basis of a professional network. Inviting others to describe their experience is a powerful way that introverts and extroverts alike can create the connections that expand a professional network.

Continuous learning is crucial for staying relevant and expanding your network. Stay updated with the latest trends in IT Strategy by attending webinars, taking online courses, or obtaining new certifications. Engaging in educational opportunities allows you to meet like-minded professionals and enhances your expertise, making you a valuable connection in your network.

Join/Support Women in Technology; Women in Communications, Media and Tech, NCTA, Girls, Inc, Girls in Tech, etc. Find others who share similar passions, and join their efforts. Many charities are also looking for support from Technology thinkers. Think outside the box and look for ways to engage face to face (or Teams to Teams).

1. Understand your fears. What are you afraid of? e.g., why aren't you networking? 2. Make a concrete plan. What actions are you going to take? 3. Tell 10 people about your network needs / wants

- Reconnect with old colleagues: Reach out to former co-workers, or anyone you met professionally in the past. - Tap into your friend and family network: Let them know you're looking to connect with people in IT Strategy. They might have surprising connections. - Attend conferences and workshops: Look for events focused on IT Strategy or broader IT topics. Join industry meetups and groups: Look for local meetups or online groups focused on IT Strategy. - Craft a strong LinkedIn profile: Highlight your IT Strategy experience, skills, and accomplishments. Join relevant LinkedIn groups and participate in discussions. Contribute to online IT forums;

Read "How to Win Friends & Influence People" by Dale Carnegie. Your shortcut to building a network is showing genuine interest in others, listening actively, and making others feel important and appreciated.

It is obvious that if you are struggling to build a professional network, you lack certain skills. The first step is to identify what skills you lack and the next would be to get professional help to building those skills. Networking is a fine art and not everyone gets its naturally. A coach or a mentor will be able to help you build these skills.