Online Networking Builds Business Relationships

“85% of critical jobs are filled via networking of some sort” via a study conducted by Adler.

This may seem like a tough pill to swallow.

We live in a period where connections are built internationally and instantly, conversely, they can be equally severed in the same amount of time.

Smart negotiators and influencers understand the importance of relationships in business. Companies often hire professionals and executives not only for their performance but for their networks and business relationships.

While Prince Harry is most definitely a capable, intelligent individual when he was hired by BetterUp Inc one can safely assume that it was an exceptional opportunity for the firm to tap into Harry’s elite network.

The key takeaway here. Building your network is still important 10 years ago, as it is today if not, more.

Let’s look at how you can develop or expand your network online, with taste and not desperation.

Online events built around your hobbies

There isn’t an easier and more genuine way to form new networking or build up on current business relationships than by bringing like-minded individuals together centred around a common interest.

Whether it is through a film night, a sports event or language classes, instigating and creating opportunities outside of work with other individuals in the company will build your network internally.

If we expand this notion for external networking, throw it on LinkedIn and start a conversation “I’m looking to expand my Thai culinary skills, can anyone recommend an online cooking course for people connecting after business hours?”

Build digital opinion content pieces

You have a unique voice, don’t be afraid to use it!

Make LinkedIn and Medium your best online friends by writing monthly short-form articles. You want to be a conversation starter and spark interest with people both in and out of your network. Think about it, by writing only one article a quarter in less than three years you will have a bank of over 10 articles on different topics in your field. If you're not a confident writer, ask your partner or a friend to look over your work to straighten out your ideas and sentence structure, there's nothing to be ashamed about!  

Take advantage of the reciprocity principle

The reciprocity principle implies that in many social situations we pay back what we received from others. If we are proactive in giving, we can expect to receive too! It might be a social share of an ex-team member’s new accomplishment, putting two connections in touch over a common topic or interest or it might simply be emailing an interesting article to an old group of colleagues. By creating these interactions, the greater the possibility of your connections to think of you when they get prompted with a similar stimulus. Think of this as a long-term relationship-building exercise.

Be active in different LinkedIn Groups

Get your name out there in LinkedIn’s groups!

So how can you begin on this quest? I would recommend first writing down a list of keywords centred around your industry, department and interests. Then, start searching on LinkedIn for the different groups around your keywords. You will be shocked at the number of members.

If you search “Procurement professionals” you’ll find a huge list of different groups you can be a part of. When you join, it’s important to invest 30 minutes every week to comment, share insights and spark new conversations that can eventually turn into new and genuine connections.

About the Author:

Since 2005, Giuseppe Conti has been an award-winning Lecturer, recognized for his lively and interactive training workshops across a number of the leading business schools in Europe: Cambridge, EPFL, ESADE, HEC Lausanne, HEC Paris, IESE, IMD, Imperial College, INSEAD, London Business School, Oxford, RSM, SDA Bocconi, UBIS, University of Geneva and University of St Gallen.

More recently, he has become a Professor in Negotiation & Influencing. Giuseppe regularly runs negotiation workshops in four continents. Corporate leaders from multinational corporations and individuals from over 110 different countries have attended his workshops.