Network effects for the (my) brand 'Komal' :)

Even before I started my MBA, I was reaching out to alums trying to understand how I can make the most of my time at 英国帝国理工学院 . In one of those virtual coffee chats I got the advice - Komal, create your brand in the next one year. Little did I know the power of this one sentence!

Networking, like the 2023 Gen-AI buzzword, is an MBA buzzword - dreaded sometimes, misunderstood often and beneficial always!

Wait - Did I get a job through networking? NO! not yet ;)

I got friends, colleagues, acquaintances and contacts that all contributed to the person I am today. I have networked with over 100 people (in events, through LinkedIn ) and met more than 20 people in person 1-1 for coffee chats in the last 10 months. (yes, I can count them and they include presidents/founders/consultants and heck even students like me)

I have been networking probably since I went to pre-school, but I have only recognised the 'technique' and value since I moved to London and joined Imperial College Business School .

Networking is a tool to create your own brand. Network effects is not just a business concept.

While the network effect is a concept best used in creating businesses, I find its relevance in my personal and professional life. Take my own example, I joined the content creator team at the business school > wrote a blog > was contacted by a few alums/nominated for best and brightest MBAs> recently contacted by a media company to share my experience as an Indian student in the UK that has over 4 Mn monthly visits. While these are the tangibles, I cannot fathom the intangibles - every now and then people reach out to me regarding my blog and it brightens my day about the impact I created with just a few words! (oh, relevant words)

I hate small talk. I only network on my terms and yes its for selfish reasons. It's for my growth, my knowledge and I get to meet/chat with the coolest people from across the globe.

So how do I do it? Be it a LinkedIn message, or an in-person meet, I spare a few minutes trying to know the person and in my head run through any topic/information that could be useful to them or interest them. This sounds simple but how many times do you actually do it? I have reached a hit rate of 100% i.e. of-course if I know who I will be meeting. Sometimes I google between conversations and get upto speed. This is my numero uno.

Networking is a two way street! Everyone, CEO or a student, is here to learn.

For the people I meet on the street (figuratively and literally - London is awesome!) I am still honing my own skills and will do a follow up of this article soon....