Expanding your network

Hello!

I hope you're all well?and having a great month so far...it's getting warmer!

This is number 3 out of 5 recommendations on how?to join the Microsoft community. If you haven't yet read the previous few posts, then you've got some catching up to do!

I've been thinking back, and wondering how many communities I've been a part of in my life so far. I have probably been apart of two or three now I think of it. The student network that you become apart of when you're at university and college, the one I joined when I learnt to dance, (yes I can dance - modern jive, west coast swing and kizomba and no, I won't go into all that just now) and now the Microsoft/Tech community.

Photo by?Ardian Lumi?on?Unsplash

I actually find it a lot easier to network than I thought I would. I like becoming a part of a group of people who share the same interests. Considering I have problems with anxiety and I'm definitely a bit of an introvert, I actually love getting to know people. I think I also want to be seen, not in a vanity type way but, I want to matter and show that I can help and add value.

I've noticed too that as I've got older, I've learnt to be more like myself when networking and in general, which I think is a really good thing. I might be a bit quirky and well, my mum wonders how I survive on my own most days, (I mean, I literally lost my balance last week, fell backwards and lobbed a watermelon across my flat whilst sorting my shopping out - my mum sat there with her face in her hands crying with laughter and embarrassment) but I don't want to hide that side of me, it's who I am.

So getting on with it, my next recommendation which you may have gathered by now, is about...

#3 Expanding your network

Getting out there and making yourself known isn't easy for everyone. Luckily though, the Microsoft community are super friendly. It's definitely beneficial when learning?and if you're looking to add some kind of value to the community. Some people are happy with doing their work, learning on their own and focusing more on things that aren't related to the job, and that is absolutely fine, there is nothing wrong with that at all. But if you're anything like me, and you have the time available, not many other commitments, quite like talking, (I don't stop talking actually) constantly needing a fix of discovering new things, new people and jumping out of your comfort zone; then getting stuck into growing your network is definitely a good shout.

Photo by?Joshua Eckstein?on?Unsplash

Now if I'm honest, I didn't even know until a few years back that the Microsoft community was even a thing.?No I wasn't living under a rock, I just didn't look for it. I was probably quite satisfied with my dancing bubble and didn't need to know about anything else I guess.?But when my dad died a few years ago,?I didn't feel like I could go dancing anymore and then the pandemic hit, and no one was allowed to physically go dancing anyway. So I needed something else.?And this community suddenly made itself known to me and helped me through a difficult time. As they say, when one door shuts, another door opens... and I'm incredibly grateful that I had the support and encouragement to walk through that open door.

Ways in which you can expand your circle(s):

• Social networking
• Virtual face to face interaction
• Physical face to face interaction

LinkedIn - Social networking

The first thing that my friend told me when she gave me advice on where to start, was to follow certain people on LinkedIn. So that's what I'm going to do here.

Oh first of all, I would suggest updating your LinkedIn profile if you haven't done so already. A good link to some tips can be found here: 20 steps to a better LinkedIn profile in 2022. Show that you are a real person (profile pic), have a voice, achievements and goals. I don't know about you, but it always makes me feel a bit wary when someone doesn't have a profile picture uploaded, especially when you don't know them.

I love LinkedIn by the way, so you will hear it mentioned a lot here. I no longer have any other social media accounts, so this platform gets my full allotted social media time slot attention. On LinkedIn, people advertise free support, training, classes, webinars and workshops all the time. You just need to keep a look out for them.

There are different ways to keep track of things on LinkedIn:

• hashtags to follow
• people to follow
• companies to follow
• groups to follow
• posts you can save

Photo by?Alex Azabache?on?Unsplash

Here are SOME of those suggestions I mentioned, to get you started...

People:

Shane Young | Andrew Bibby | Chris Huntingford | April Dunnam | Mark Smith | Sheryl Newman | Megan Walker | Laura Rogers | Damien Bird | Phil Topness | Julian Sharp | Paddy Byrne | Guro Fallor | Jonah Andersson | Alison Mulligan

Companies:

Microsoft (obvs) | HCL Technologies (obvs) | Avanade | 345 Technology | Crimson | South Coast Summit | Scottish Summit

Groups:

MS Dynamics 365 CRM | Dynamics 365 UK User Group | Microsoft Power Apps | Power Apps and Power Automate | Office 365 and SharePoint Users

Hashtags:

#powerplatform | #microsoft | #dynamics365 | #microsoftcommunity | #scottishsummit2022

As them questions, interact with their posts, YouTube videos, listen to their podcasts and read their blogs! They really won't mind, and IF for some reason they do...just move on. Don't be afraid to get out there. If you are one who fancies becoming a regular poster on LinkedIn, you can also tag companies and people in the post so that they will see it. But obviously, try to be mindful when doing this, you don't want to do it if it's irrelevant or unnecessary.

Also if anyone wants to give themselves a shout-out to be followed (bizarre sentence I know), then please do in the comments!

Meetups - Virtual face to face interaction

Meetups are a great way to join a conversation and to introduce yourself to people as well as get insight into updates and other people's experiences. I'm personally not a massive fan about going to these in person but that may suit you better than virtually attending. Whatever fits best for you, go with that.

When you sign up to Meetups, if you haven't already got an account, its good to search for some keywords to find the sessions that are relevant. For example - 'Dynamics 365', 'Microsoft', 'Power Platform'. There should be some virtual and some in person groups to join. I joined a few and got talking to people in some of the sessions and even got to meet some in person later on...which leads me to the in person option.

South Coast Summit and Scottish Summit, any Microsoft Summit really - Physical face to face interaction

I know that the idea of attending a conference sounds real boring to some and well, it's an event full of lots of people with backpacks, but honestly, I really enjoy it and plan to go every year if I can. I you love the Microsoft products and the technology and usage around it all, then it's like going to a career fair!

I don't know why I thought that was going to sell it...I really am an odd bean...

There is usually a quiz, hackathon, meals and drinking involved also...and free swag! You sold now?

Photo by?abhishek gaurav?on?Unsplash

They are fantastic ways to meet people, as well as get fab insights into other companies, and product updates and tips! And they are usually free events. They also give people the opportunity to speak at these events for the first time ever - people who have a problem with getting all excited and saying YES to everything terrifying - like me... I will be talking at the Scottish Summit in June about my experiences and journey into the Microsoft community.

So if you can make it, do come and join me for my first ever session - 'Finding my community and myself' on the 11th June at 12:30 in the Level 3 Conference Room 8 at the Strathclyde Technology & Innovation Centre in Glasgow. Hope to see you there! You're only allowed in if you don't ask any difficult questions ;)

Photo taken at the South Coast Summit 2021 by SCS photographer during the Hackathon presentations - great fun!

So get LinkedIn-ing, Meetup-ing, and Summit-ing and start building your network, MAKE FRIENDS! It's totally worth the effort in so many ways.

Thank you for reading! Look out for recommendation number 4 coming soon!