The Importance Of Professional Business Networks An Interview with Vanessa Ogle

In today's fast-paced business world, professional networks are more than just a pathway to opportunities; they are crucial for growth, learning, and innovation. Whether it's finding mentors, navigating career changes, or driving business success, the right network can be a game changer. How significant are these networks, and how can professionals best leverage them?? I had the pleasure of interviewing Anne Bloom, SHRM – SCP.

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Anne focusses on business coaching and being a trusted advisor while working with leaders and executives of small to mid-size businesses to help develop strategy plans on how to achieve success, determine goals to meet, build better relationships with employees, colleagues and clients.? Anne collaborates with leaders to determine the best fit in building rapport, help you meet your goals while ensuring growth, both personally and professionally. Anne uses a Japanese tool called “Ikigai” in working towards the achievement of finding your purpose. She looks forward to working with individual leaders and teams and will aspire you through assessments, non-directive discussions, and ongoing communication.?

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?Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about your “backstory”? What led you to this particular career path?

?I started my career in coaching and human resources decades ago as a fluke.? I was working for chartered accountants and the office manager asked for help with recruitment.? I found it exhilarating and fun. I was then asked to create the human resources department’s policies and procedures but first needed to show my commitment to the profession so while studying I worked in human resources. I gained my HR designation and learned on the job at the same time.? I have spent the last almost four decades honing my skills to offer the very best services I can.? I am known as a trusted advisor, executive and leadership coach and HR executive who gives 100% to all I do.

?Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?

?There are so many interesting stories that stand out.? I was working as the HR Canadian lead for a large global company.? The global HR lead asked for my help in creating a one HR in North America.? I knew that by doing this project I would be creating an HR lead for North America.? I was situated in Canada and knew that the North American lead would be located in the United States, effectively eliminating my role.? As any good executive I made the choice to create the One North American HR. This project was an interesting one because I was able to put my stamp on what the integration of two vastly different markets would be and how to implement a large change in an organization.? The only thing I knew for certain at the time was that change was inevitable and I could accept it or lose the opportunity for growth. I chose change.?

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

?At the time, this mistake wasn’t funny.? Now, years later I can laugh about it, but it still isn’t funny. I was working for a large global technology company.? The company had offices throughout the world, and I was the HR lead for Canada. ?I was on my way to the theatre when I received a call from an employee in Western Canada to tell me that they were in the midst of a horrific rainstorm.? Most of the downtown core was flooded, people needed to be evacuated from their homes, office buildings were being shut due to elevator shaft flooding and would not be open for the next five to seven days, streets were flooded, and some employees were stuck either in the office, in their homes on their cars.? Unfortunately, I didn’t make it to the theatre that evening, which was too bad because I had tickets for Wicked.? I spent the next seven hours on calls with disaster recovery firms, arranging housing, food, transportation and locating employees who were stranded.?? So, you ask what was the mistake? I did this all without informing our leadership team and well after the fact, called our president and told him what had happened.? His response was thank you but you should have told me.? I could have helped. The lesson learned was to jump into action and do what needs to be done, but make sure that you have the support of the leaders of the company.? Communication is key.? Don’t assume that leaders know what is going on.? They don’t know until we tell them.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

I have been fortunate to have a group of people who have supported me throughout my career.? Several years ago, I was in between roles and floundering on what to do next in my career. Through networking, I started to hear the phrase “advisory group”.? After exploring what that was all about, I brought together six very talented executives who were part of my network and who acted as my advisory group.? We worked together on creating a strategy to progress, and they helped me realize the leader I wanted to be.? We met every month for about one year and discussed the homework I was accountable for.? I reported to them monthly on the success of my plan and we talked about challenges and successes I was having.? What I loved about my advisory group is that we developed a rapport that went beyond advising and lead to us becoming lasting friends.? It is because of them that I am doing what I want to do now and never floundered from the direction I set during that time.

Is there a particular book that made a significant impact on you? Can you share a story or explain why it resonated with you so much?

Many years ago, I read a book called The Importance of Mentoring.? That book showed me why being a mentor was important to the success of individuals.? After reading that book, I joined an organization that focused on mentoring their clients.?

?The opportunity to mentor one person brought on other mentoring opportunities.? I was able to grow my network through this initiative and ended up mentoring four individuals in the early stages of their business which led to future business work and more introductions.?

I learned that you never know why mentoring or networking is important to growth until you see the results of efforts put in.? I am still mentoring one individual which has helped them grow their practice, understand what they should be doing to see success and how building their network is important to other’s successes.

?How have you used your success to make the world a better place?

?I am still working on making the world a better place.? I continue to search for my legacy.? Mark Twain had a quote – There are two important days in your life - the day you were born and the day you discover your why.? I love this quote because we each need to look for and work towards our why and/or purpose.? At this stage of my career, I consider my legacy to be that I am a coach, advisor and an HR executive and can only hope that I have impacted previous and current clients, colleagues, friends, and acquaintances.

My family and friends value me.? I couldn’t ask for more.? They love me for all my flaws and successes.? They tell me that all the time.? I have always said, “Don’t tell me you love me when I can’t hear you anymore. Tell me now and often so that I can respond in the same manner.?? I realize this doesn’t relate to business, but the sentiment is still the same.? Leaders need to show they value employees and thank them for a job well done. Acknowledging people is so important to building relationships, acceptance and growth.

?What strategies do you recommend for building and maintaining strong professional business networks?

?The strategies are simple yet take a lot of work, time and energy.

1.???? Attend as many conferences and webinars as you can.? Be visible.

2.???? Talk to as many people as you can.? Try to meet at least three new people at every event you attend, whether in person or virtual. Share business cards; link on LinkedIn; follow them.

3.???? Stay in contact with your network.? It is important to stay connected when you are employed not[JP1]? only when you are looking for a new position.? Once you need them, reconnecting again will take time.? Don’t let your network forget you.

4.???? Be visible.? Offer to facilitate member organization meetings; write articles, post on LinkedIn and Facebook.?

5.???? When you speak with a person you have never met, you want to introduce yourself, give your thirty second introduction.? If need be, ask for a warm introduction.? Be tenacious but be practical.?

6.???? Don’t just connect with people in your industry or position. Reach outside of your industry or position and connect with people who can support you. Find ways to build that relationship and give back in kind.? Do what you say you will do. Follow up.

Can you share a personal story about how a professional business network has significantly impacted your career or business?

?Throughout my career I have been fortunate that I love networking. I can come across as shy and withdrawn but I love talking to people, sharing information and finding out about them.? It takes me time to warm up to people but when I do, I find it easy to speak to people and share my story. ?I expect an acknowledgement of the connection, sometimes a coffee or lunch; but most of the time a thirty-minute conversation to share ideas, information and knowledge is what happens.?? I believe in giving back. I believe in following through.? I believe in not stalking but being tenacious. I know what I want, and I go after it.

?I am a member of an active Board of Trade.? I attend the monthly meetings.? I have been asked to MC the monthly breakfast meetings.? I have taught in-person leadership learning classes over a six-week period.? I try not to say no to anything because I believe the more visibility I get the more potential clients will know me and ask for my help. ?

?I don’t accept LinkedIn requests from people I haven’t met or who don’t tell me why they want to connect.? I want to understand the benefit we give each other before we connect.? I don’t want a network that won’t help me or vice versa.? If I don’t get a note on why you want to connect and the purpose I don’t accept the invite.? I will send a note to new connections and set up a meeting to get to know them and see how we can help each other.? This is what maintaining a network is all about.

?Networking is an all the time reality. It is important to maintain a network and continuously build it. People should be transparent when they are networking.? It is important to ask for introductions.?? I always look at the profile of people in my network to see if they know someone I should also know.? Provide the reason why you want to meet them, add your thirty second elevator pitch, have a bio prepared and share it.? This is the best way to be introduced.? Don’t rely on people making the introduction to say what you want, tell them what to say.? Anyone can be good at networking if they just do it.? Accept that it is a way of life and that we all need the support of others.

In your experience, what are the common misconceptions about networking, and how can professionals overcome them?

?1.???? The number one common misconception about networking is it is a WASTE OF TIME. It is never a waste of time to meet new people. ?Networking is about having ongoing conversations, it is about sharing information about yourself, your business and how you can help the other person. It is about asking questions to get to know the other person.? ?Networking is not a waste of time when you get the results over time that you seek.

2.???? People are not natural when it comes to networking.? People need to build the skill of networking.? Asking the right questions, giving the right information; knowing the information you want to share is what needs to come naturally.? People need to learn the skill of communication, sharing information and being inquisitive of the other persons business.?

3.???? Building a relationship for most people takes time, skill, understanding and knowing what not to ask.? Networking is NOT about asking for a job or having a one-sided conversation.? It is about getting to know the people you are meeting.? Building trust, follow through and do what you say you will do.

4.???? Networking serves a common goal – to grow values, business, relationships and trust.? People need to be fully engaged in the process of meeting new people.? Letting insecurities get in the way of building relationships leads to misunderstandings and not achieving your goals. ?Networking is a skill that needs to be worked on frequently.? Once you get the hang of networking, it can become second nature.? It is fulfilling and gratifying to meet new people. Building relationships that help grow your business can come from anywhere and we need to be open to all possibilities. ?It is important to realize that networking takes time, effort and the need to attend events will help build your network of qualified businesspeople who just may have the ability to provide you with the yet unknown piece that may help you.?

5.???? People oftentimes expect instant gratification, instant results from networking.? Why would that be the case if you haven’t made the effort to get to know a person.? It can take months to build rapport trust, and acceptance with a person.? It is hard work building a network.? You can’t sit back and wait.? You need to get out there and make it happen.

Ok super. Here is the main question of our interview. Can you please share your “5 Ways to Make the Most of a Professional Business Network”? If you can, please share an example or story for each.

?1.???? Attend as many conferences, webinars, as your time permits even if it is after hours. To build a network, people need to be visible.? Others need to recognize you at events.? I attend networking events at least four times per month. Whether that is a breakfast event or an after-hours event.? By being visible I have been able to build the trust and acceptance needed to build business relationships.? It has taken time – well over one year for people to accept that what I say I can do, I will do.? I follow up, I keep in touch, and I share information.

2.???? Say “yes” to events, webinars, etc. Being shy or withdrawn will not bring you the results needed to achieve success.? I attend monthly breakfast meetings for the Board of Trade.? I was approached to act as the MC for one meeting.? My immediate response was absolutely.? And then I asked what does it entail?? I am open and game for putting myself out there, for being visible and for having fun.? I find facilitating events fun.? The feedback I have received from MCing three breakfast meetings has been gratifying.? This has led to my MCing more breakfast events.?

3.???? Manage your relationships. Reach out to your network frequently. Schedule coffees, lunches, virtual meetings, but stay in touch.? When speaking with your network always share what’s changed in your business.? What are you doing in your business today that others would find interesting and fun to learn.? I recently received a phone call from a former boss who I spoke to last year.? It was time to reconnect, but he beat me to it.? His reason for the call was to catch up, to share what was new in his world but also to give me a consulting lead.? People will remember you when you remember them.? I am following up on that lead and who knows what will transpire!

4.???? Networking leads to future coffees, lunches and initial meetings.? Always follow up on those meetings.? Thank the person for their time and review what was discussed.? Having notes to follow up on later is always important to let the person know that you are thinking of them, their business and the conversation. I relish meeting people in person. The eyeball-to-eyeball conversations are enlightening and engaging.? Being able to see body language is important to gage how a person is accepting of the conversation.? Sometimes it doesn’t work out. I remember a networking meeting I had with an HR leader. We had scheduled a one-hour meeting.? After what seemed like only five minutes, he said “sorry but I forgot to do something. I have to leave”. ?Even though I have followed up on numerous occasions, we have never reconnected.? It is too bad, but obviously he felt something that was putting him off and didn’t want to continue the discussion.? This can happen but not often. More often the meetings are beneficial and lead to future meetings and business deals.

5.???? Always listen and ask questions.? Make sure to have business cards available.? It is best not to provide the business card unless asked for. In today’s world we can connect directly on LinkedIn and other social media sites.? Take the opportunity to connect and follow up on any connection.? I only connect with people who tell me why they want to connect.? What is the value add? If I don’t know a person or haven’t been introduced, I don’t accept the invitation.? I need to know why people want to connect. How can we benefit from getting to know each other? Networking is about the value add for both parties.? It is not about one-sided value.

What role does digital networking play in today's business environment, and how can individuals maximize its potential while maintaining meaningful connections?

?In today’s technological world, digital networking is important as a tool that can open doors for people to meet others, find new jobs, learn about their current role, understand who the people are that you work with.? Digital networking builds and fortifies relationships, helps understand how to market yourself to your network (30 second elevator pitch).? Digital networking puts leaders and employees on a fact-finding mission to learn more about people and companies.? I love the idea of using LinkedIn as a learning tool to help me understand who I am speaking too, their background, what makes them tick and what their hobbies are.? I often use my networking as a sounding board for new ideas and thoughts.? Having the support of my network whether in person or online is important to not only my success but theirs as well.? I strongly believe in reciprocity and helping others.?

?You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good for the greatest number of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.

?People just starting out in their careers don’t have the biggest network and oftentimes aren’t sure what steps to take to grow their network.? I would love to help new entrepreneurs and employees discover the importance of networking including how to network effectively and building trust in yourself to know that you have the common sense and knowledge to help yourself and others. Teaching a course, mentoring others and building the bridge to growth and success is important. ?We need to start a movement on the importance of networking, write the book and share the information. There are a few books on this already, but it never hurts to tell your stories again. ?I did some research on influencers and only found beauty, sports, food, clothes, lifestyle influencers. I did not find any information on business influencers.? It would be great to have someone (maybe me, you never know) start a blog on business growth, employee development, what leaders need to know on establishing after-Covid strategies. I can envision this as a “let me help you understand the world of change and the impact on employees and your business”.? The only thing I do know for certain is that change is inevitable, and it needs to be embraced. ?

?We are very blessed that some very prominent names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them.

?I recently attended an online webinar.? The facilitator was from Women of Influence and the guest speaker was Lisa Bragg from Bragging Rights.? She spoke about not being afraid to share your story to be recognized.? Brag about your achievements so that colleagues, family and friends learn what you do and the reasons why you do the work you do.?? I love this because it is no longer a black mark against a person who can brag about their achievements, their wants and their needs and be able to say “I am great but also grateful for the people who listen to and understand me. ?I believe in me, and I want others to believe in me the same way.” Bragging to self and others is not a bad thing and can lead to receiving compliments. Bragging is not about ego but is about confidence and growth. Lisa says “bet on yourself and the future you.”?

?How can our readers further follow your work online?

?I use LinkedIn as a way of staying connected with my network.? I can be found at www.dhirubhai.net/in/annebloomcphr.? Readers can also find me at [email protected].

?Thank you for these fantastic insights. We greatly appreciate the time you spent on this.

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