The power of connecting

In 2019 I launched a podcast show called People Buy People. It was about the importance of the human connection and I invited many different business and PR professionals on to talk about their experience, hoping to help inspire others.

It struck me again yesterday though, how important connecting is, in a slightly different way.

My new job at Copper Consultancy focuses on growth - of the business and talent. Over the last seven weeks working at Copper, I've noticed that I've never relied more on my network of contacts.

Since I was 17 years old, it's been drummed into me that building relationships and networking is crucial when working in business and I've been doing it ever since, for the 25+ years.

In my younger years my CIPR membership was ideal for meeting people across the PR and communication industry and for spotting good mentors and role models. Moving into my 'Aura years' where many of you perhaps met me, I was expanding that to other professional services, people in leadership roles, and looking to set myself up for future career successes.

But through it all, there's one thing that I've always stuck to, and that's being me. Knowing my personal brand since a young age has helped as I've been able to build a profile around that. I've been me in work, when meeting new contacts, when speaking to new clients, when recruiting staff, working with suppliers and more. Being human and authentic has allowed me to build trusting relationships and to this day, I'm still utilising my network.

Something else I learned early on is that you need to be helpful to other people, too. It's not all take take take. And you can be helpful in many ways, through introductions to contacts, sharing intelligence, giving advice or giving business opportunities to people. Relationships should always be two-way.

Yesterday, I met with a business leader (in the very festive Blythswood Hotel in Glasgow) who turns out I worked with circa 20 years ago through running my first client press office. Firstly, it shows that Scotland is 100% a village and secondly, you should always conduct business with a view that the people you meet and leave an impression on one day, you'll meet again. They could one day be your boss, your next hire or even your client!

What's your personal brand?

My call to action is to always be networking, be helpful and remember that people you meet now, you'll no doubt meet again in the future.

p.s I took the podcast down in 2023

p.p.s if you fancy chatting about work whether it's jobs or business opportunities drop me a line at [email protected]