THE IMPORTANCE OF NETWORKING (& HOW TO DO IT EFFECTIVELY)

We’ve all heard the phrase ‘your net worth is your network’, and it’s clear that networking and building a strong book of contacts is great for your career and for business development.

And much is to be said for the opportunity to share challenges with like-minded peers who are often facing the same issues. After all, being a senior leader can sometimes be a lonely place.

So I’m focusing this week on the topic of networking, not least because we have two key networking events coming up in the UK games industry – the MCV/DEVELOP Awards on June 20th and the Develop:Brighton Conference and Awards from July 9th to 11th. Both are brilliant for catching up with friends, colleagues and peers – as well as making new connections.

First up some inspiration from Harvard Business School on How Leaders Develop and Use Their Network. It includes insights on how senior execs can benefit from networking, while offering advice on how to develop a professional network. Read on to find out more here.

Meanwhile, Harvard Business Review offers some thoughts on how you can Learn To Love Networking. It highlights that “in today’s world, networking is a necessity. A mountain of research shows that professional networks lead to more job and business opportunities, broader and deeper knowledge, improved capacity to innovate, faster advancement, and greater status and authority. Building and nurturing professional relationships also improves the quality of work and increases job satisfaction.” Find out more about its advice here.

If you’re looking for more practical advice on how to elevate your networking game, Entrepreneur has 6 In-Person Networking Tips, including some great ideas for conversation starters. It concludes with these wise words: “It's nearly impossible to be successful on your own. If you're operating in a silo, you miss out on so many opportunities to learn and benefit from others. This is where networking comes into play.” Discover the top tips here.

And finally, if you’re less outgoing than some others, you’re definitely not alone. And Entrepreneur also has some great advice on Networking at Conferences as an Introvert, in particular on how to create a plan of action before you attend the event. Discover the top tips here. And here’s a bonus article on 6 Ways Introverts Can Avoid Feeling Shy at Conferences.

Do you have any top tips for networking successfully? I’d love to hear from you. And if you’re attending the MCV/DEVELOP Awards or the Develop:Brighton Conference and Awards, hit me up and let’s network!

Photo by Thriday on Unsplash