Any professional worth his salt knows about ‘networking’ and its significance to his career. In fact, today, with the advent of Web 2.0, it is practically impossible to find a professional who is not active on some business networking platform. If used correctly, networking can be a powerful tool in creating useful connections within a particular industry, spread word of mouth awareness of new trends and establish a framework of individuals, who turn to each other for support, referrals, knowledge sharing and more. However, the question, which remains is how does one leverage this powerful tool to yield the best results?

Let us begin by first understanding what the term networking really means. Wikipedia defines professional networking as “a professional network service (or, in an virtual world context, simply professional network) is a type of social network service that is focused solely on interactions and relationships of a business nature rather than personal, non-business interactions.” Other sources define professional networking simply as “building and maintaining a network of job-related and business contacts.” A professional network can be a formal set up, such as LinkedIn, comprising people with whom one has had work-related relationships, or it can be an informal group of people one has worked with in the past and wish to stay in touch with, or it can be regardless of the nature of one’s network. There are certain dos and don’ts that apply to business networking for it to be successful.

Keep it professional: An individual builds many social contacts throughout his life, each of which are helpful for different aspects of his life. However, in a professional network, whether online or offline, it is important to restrict interactions to a work related nature.

A business network is not the appropriate place to gossip or share irrelevant information. Friends or associates on your professional network also might not appreciate questions personal in nature, like their income and perks at work. Though some amount of grapevine discussions are healthy and important, dwelling solely on such gossip or spreading rumours on a networking platform are a strict no.

Use your discretion: Before you decide to ask for a favour, stop to evaluate if the matter at hand warrants a discussion with the person you were about to call. Approaching senior professionals on ones network for frivolous problems will sour your future relationship with them. This may result in a situation where you cannot approach them again for help that really requires their guidance. This will go a long way in maintaining good relations with your colleagues and professional acquaintances.

It’s not only about your benefit: Most people maintain business networks as an effective way to find new opportunities, whether it is for a new job, a new vendor, a new sales channel or a new way to market products. There is no doubt that a business network is an effective way of achieving all of the above. However, if you start networking only when you have something to gain from it, it will fall flat. Whoever you are trying to connect with is bound to see through your attempt and be put off by your approach. Therefore, it is best to start networking when you have the time, and not when you have an immediate agenda to push or favour to ask.

Give and take: No healthy relationship can survive if it is one way. A professional relationship is no exception to this rule. You expect favours, information and help from people on your network, and it is pretty obvious that they have you on their network because they expect the same from you. As with any relationship, give and take is what keeps a business network healthy and happy.

Honesty is the best policy: Do not exaggerate or falsify any professional information on a networking platform, or even in conversation with an associate. False information or exaggeration of ones qualifications, experience and so on can be a professional death knell. Hence, keep it simple, be honest with your network.

Common courtesies matter: Simple things such as requesting rather than demanding help, thanking after receiving help, staying in touch even without an agenda in mind go a long way in professional networking.

The pointers outlined above may seem simple to the point of being elementary. However, it’s surprising how often how many of us forget basic etiquettes while networking on a professional or personal level. Hence, as with any professional interaction, networking is important to keep in mind that it is indeed ‘professional’ and, therefore, adhere to a code of conduct and etiquette to reap the maximum benefit from the network.

(The author is Co-founder and Director, TeamLease Services.)

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