Today’s blog is a little different from usual. I’d like to talk with you about the importance of networking. That means you, and you and you!!! Whether you are working or not, you need to constantly be aware of the opportunities to network
Maybe you are one of my readers with 20 years at one company. That can change in a heartbeat. Your awareness of the considerable ways to stay connected with your colleagues is important and ongoing.
Social networking, such as Linkedin.com, is here to stay. We live in an electronic age and it’s not just for young people. If you are using Linkedin, use it correctly. Complete your profile with enough data for others who may meet you at a seminar or conference can touch base with you. You want people to find you and you want to find others.
Perhaps you are working on a technical problem for a new cell phone. Linkedin has many groups you can join that allow you to connect with others with similar issues. There are alumni groups, real estate groups, a group of android gurus…you name it and there is probably a group for you on Linkedin. You don’t have to have the email address to contact someone in your group. If you contact someone with similar interests and talk about your technical problem, you may have a new friend and relationship for the future.
Networking inside your company is a wonderful way for successful career development. Large companies often have “management groups” or “technical ladders” to help you associate with people from other parts of the company. You may want to start your own group inside your company to foster a special cause or work on an issue for process improvement.
Remember that you are your own personal brand. Your performance is being judged on a regular basis, both personally and professionally. Your career depends on the profile you project.
If you’d like to hear me expound on this topic, I’ll be speaking on February 25, 2010 at the North Texas Global Telecommunications Society (NTGTS) at University of Dallas-Frisco at 6:00 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. See www.ntgts.org for details and registration. The presentation is called Profiles for Success with an interactive activity to increase your networking acumen. I hope to see you there!