In this article, I share practical, globally relevant strategies professionals can use to build stronger networks, foster meaningful relationships, and add value to others.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- 1. Share a resource
- 2. Make targeted introductions
- 3. Relay an opportunity
- 4. Mention an event
- 5. Refer a new customer
- 6. Acknowledge publicly
- 7. Share a useful tool
- Small Gestures Go A Long Way
Introduction
At a client’s cocktail event I attended a couple of weeks ago, as I was wrapping up a short conversation with someone I’d met for the first time, she proceeded to take out her phone and ask if I could quickly review her resume on the spot. Needless to say, I said no. I told her I didn’t know her well enough to provide any useful commentary and also made a point to remind her an evening cocktail event wasn’t the time or place for that.
Networking involves a give and take. Too often, people focus on taking too quickly. A job candidate might connect with someone for the first time on LinkedIn and immediately asks whether their company’s hiring. Or a business owner might meet another conference attendee and immediately jump into pitching their product or service.
If you ask for too much too soon, just like going on a first date and asking the other person to get married, you’ll likely put people off. On the other hand, if you can focus on genuinely giving without expecting anything in return, you might be surprised how this pays off in the long run.
During the networking workshops I host, I often get asked by attendees what you can possibly offer to someone who’s more senior, works in an unfamiliar industry, or seems to already be doing just fine in their career. Here are seven simple ways you can offer value to someone that don’t require deep industry knowledge, role seniority, tremendous resources, or huge amounts of time.
1. Share a resource
These days, when I meet with people personally or professionally, especially during this period of rapid societal and technological change, I try to remind myself that most people, including myself, are struggling with something. That struggle could be small or large, but when you give people an opening to discuss what’s on their mind, even those who seem to “have it all,” will reveal a challenge they’re trying to overcome.
If you walk away from a conversation with a clear sense of one or two issues someone’s facing, share a relevant industry report, article, video, podcast episode, or book with them afterwards. Even if the resource isn’t life-changing, the gesture of making someone feel heard and helped will not go unnoticed.
2. Make targeted introductions
While hard work and achievement are important to your career, most opportunities arise from strong relationships. And in a world that’s become increasingly fragmented, dispersed, digitized, and virtual, being able to make a new human connection is priceless. Most people I talk to these days, especially those like me who are in their mid-life, tell me they have fewer and fewer people in their lives they would consider “close friends.”
Although I wouldn’t say my own network is enormous by any means, I always do what I can to try and foster new relationships for people. Just last month, I was catching up with someone over lunch and discovered she had accepted a role at an organisation that’s a client of mine, so I offered to introduce her to two people I’ve collaborated with there.
The next time you meet with someone, try and think of someone in your network you could introduce them to. If you’re not sure where to start, consider those people who have overlapping interests, background, or ambitions. Or introduce someone to any contacts you may know at the company they’re moving into.
3. Relay an opportunity
On the surface, many professionals, especially highly accomplished ones, may seem like they’re all set in their careers. However, even though it may not seem like it on the surface, if you probe a bit, I bet you’ll find most people wouldn’t mind a little extra professional help. Whether it’s finding a next role, making a career decision, starting a new business, or building a team, most professional endeavors require a lot of effort and energy.
Some examples of opportunities you can relay include unadvertised roles at your organization, freelance gigs, speaking slot at an industry event, or a podcast you’ve been listening to that’s looking for fresh guests who can speak about certain topics. Putting aside the actual opportunity itself, even the act itself of saying, “I thought of you when I saw this,” can mean a lot to someone.
4. Mention an event
There’s no shorage of events out there. All you have to do is go onto platforms like Eventbrite or AllEvents to find anything from cooking classes to business networking events to industry conferences. However, I often struggle myself to find good events to attend that provide a good return on my invested time. So when someone gives an enthusiastic endorsement of an event, I’m more inclined to check it out.
For example, I recently mentioned an upcoming MBA Open Day at a business school I work with to a professional I know who’s been thinking about investing in training. I invited a friend of mine along to a closed-door event I hosted with a client because I thought she would enjoy the change of scenery from her usual crowd. I mentioned an upcoming camera trade show to town to a PR contact of mine whose husband is into photography.
If you come across an event, talk, or industry conference that’s aligned with someone career interests, desired professional transition, or knowledge gaps, mention it to someone you feel would enjoy attending. And if they do attend, set a reminder to check in with them in the future on how it went.
5. Refer a new customer
I’ve had my fair share of bad experiences with service providers. Haven’t we all? So whenever I cross paths with a business owner, supplier, or provider with an offering that’s especially helpful, impressive, or beneficial, I will go out of my way to give them a glowing endorsement. This could come in the form of taking the time to write a client testimonial, Google review, direct client introduction, or an online mention.
If you’ve had a positive experience with an individual, think about someone in your network who could also benefit from what they’re offering. Even if that referral doesn’t ultimately convert, people always appreciate the gesture of a good word being put in for the product or service they’re offering.
6. Acknowledge publicly
In a professional world these days shaped by nonstop visibility, online posts, and nonstop comparison, people are often more quick to criticize than compliment. We’re also all encouraged to advocate for oursleves, develop our own personal brands, and showcase our accomplishments.
In my work as a public speaker and podcast host, I don’t always get a chance to directly connect with audience members who join my workshops or listen to my show. Whenever I do receive a genuine compliment from someone, it truly makes my day. And in those instances when I happen to hear indirectly that a specific individual has said something positive about me, it also reminds me that I’m making a difference out there, even though sometimes, it can feel like I’m not.
If you can think of something nice to say about someone, say it. Share your positive sentiments openly with others both within and outside of their network. Even if that person never hears about it, you’ve done your part in bolstering that person’s reputation. And if you’re feeling a bit braver, share it directly with that individual too. You never know what kind of a positive impact your words may have on their career and life. The seeds to some of my most fulfilling career moves were planted by a single compliment from someone.
7. Share a useful tool
Who doesn’t love a tool that makes your life easier? New apps, tools, and AI-assisted agents pop up every single day, and these days, the challenge is often the fact that too much choice exists out there to know which tool is the best for you. Sharing a useful tool with someone is one of the easiest ways you yourself can be useful.
I maintain and updated list of useful tools, services, apps, and equipment I use myself as a business owner, which I’ve landed on after much research and vetting. Often, if I cross paths with an aspiring business owner or individual in the process of building their own brand, freelance service, podcast, or side gig, I’ll pass this list along to them.
Sharing a tool you find useful with someone else saves them the time involved in finding it themselves while also providing them with something that makes their life easier.
Small Gestures Go A Long Way
Building a strong network takes effort and time. As is the case with any other high quality relationship in life, your professional contacts require nurturing and ongoing maintenance. Giving to your network through contribution and assistance is a way to build stronger, quality relationships while giving you the satisfication of knowing you’re doing what you can to be helpful to someone.
If you’re ever wondering how you can make a difference to others, err on the side of being helpful. Generosity without expectation of reciprocity is how you build trust, credibility, and goodwill in relationships. It positions you as someone who’s attentive and helpful, and helps keep you top of mind if and when relevant opportunities arise. Even if someone doesn’t return the favor, you can still take pride in the fact you’re doing what you can to contribute to others’ success, which itself is a worthwhile, meaningful investment.
Originally published at Forbes.
