KR7: The art of networking

Hi there KReatives!

Let's talk about networking.

Networking is the secret sauce of personal branding and positioning. Not everyone is good at it, but those who have hacked it will always remain relevant.

Most people think of networking as a pain - 'Why should I talk to people I don't know to advance my career or business? I am not chatty, and I don't want to seem like a 'groupie' following a star with adoring eyes. Can't I advance my career or business without being overly friendly?'

Think of networking as connecting with the people who should know you and the people you want to know. Think of networking as another form of reputation management or PR for you or your business. Once you think of it that way, you will realize that networking is not just connecting with people who are a level or more higher than you.

The best kind of networking is done in multiple directions- everyone in positions higher than your current position, everyone in similar positions as you, everyone in positions lower than your current position, and everyone you should know based on the position you aspire to get into.

Before you say, 'Keni, this is a lot of work,' consider this- there is value in multi-directional networking. Befriending the security man gives you insight that the CEO will never give you. Connecting with your colleagues across industries and sectors allows you to glean from their best practices. Becoming a social media connection of a C-Suite member will enable you to understand leadership from their perspective.

For instance, if you work in the pharmaceutical industry as a project manager in Ghana, you should be connected to:

• all the project managers in the pharmaceutical industry
• everyone else in your company and the pharmaceutical industry (leaders, managers, front office staff)
• all the project managers in Ghana
• any project managers outside your country with valuable insights you can learn from
• all the influential people in your dream companies (potential hiring managers)

There are some of them you may have the benefit of encountering physically- if you have done the work of understanding what value and unique perspective you bring to the table, it will be easy to make a potential connection see that as well. Remember, everyone appreciates a meaningful connection.

If you haven't done so already, get your elevator pitch on lockdown before the end of June. You never know when you will end up in an elevator with someone with the influence or connections to get you to the next level of your career or give you the capital injection for your next business.

There are those you may encounter online- I like to think of those as deliberately cultivated relationships. The digital world allows you to see layers of a person's personality that you would typically not have access to. You may be pleased to discover the Chief Operations Officer supports your rival football team- which gives you an ever-fluid source of conversation. Your constant feedback on that global leader's posts may just make you top of mind when they are in your country next.

The key to connecting with people is to show that you have value that they can benefit from- if not now, but in the near future. Send that DM today. Tell that global leader how their TedX talk inspired you to pivot in your career. Volunteer your videography skills for the project your potential employer is working on. Show up at their event. Read the article they shared and share your thoughts.

What is the worst that could happen? They might say no or ignore you. (It's their loss, really!)

What is the best thing that could come out of this? An invaluable connection will be made and you will be better, wiser and much better connected because of it.

Rooting for you!!

Your friend,

Maukeni Padiki Ribeiro

June is already upon us! Once we go past April, the months tend to fly by and before you know it, we are in October. (Yikes!) Hope you are making some good progress on the goals you set for 2024- not just the goals you are measured by at work, but also your personal development goals.

I have enjoyed doing this Personal Branding series and I do hope it has been enlightening. Fitting these tips into bite-size portions has been an interesting ride. If you have any other questions regarding personal branding, my DMs are always open.