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Why build a network?
Networking in business is now essential. It is the life blood of industry. The success of Barron Williams is built on the strength of our network. For those in senior executive positions, business networking keeps you connected to the wider business community and is essential in providing a platform for career progression.
The rise of social media sites, but particularly LinkedIn, is testament to the power of business networking. LinkedIn after all is a platform built specifically for networking. Its primary function is to help us build and engage with professional business connections. Building a network is an incredibly powerful tool that will help to further your career.
Do you “network”? If not, why not?
We have a client who is a great example of building and using a network for personal development. Rather than sitting back and waiting for recruiters to advertise a role or call, she got out there and set about making it happen. Building a great network helped her to establish connections with key figures in relevant sectors. It provided an invaluable opportunity for her to best develop career goals, to look into new sectors and opened doors that would have otherwise remained locked if she hadn’t taken the time and effort to build up her network.
She’d been in a CFO role for a number of years, still in her mid-thirties, and she was looking for NED opportunities. Primarily, to gain broader experience, but also to seek opportunities away from an industry where she felt typecast, and it also provided a welcome change from having to focus on just one organisation. She felt she could contribute the benefit of her perspective, expertise and skills to other Boards. Coming to us initially, she was looking for advice. And our advice was simple, build up your business network.
Like many people we meet, she hadn’t strayed far from the organisation that employed her, and the closer industry in which she worked. But all credit to her. She got out there and, starting with some recommended contacts, grew her reputation. Starting out with a few good contacts. Utilising social media, business forums and simply by picking up the phone, she established connections with a wide variety of great contacts. Business networking has been instrumental in her career progression, moving into new sectors, new roles, and some extremely prestigious NED appointments.
Business networking will help your career to progress
Success in any career is usually attributed to the pool of expertise and experience we build over time. Developing a strong network fosters trade of that knowledge. We all try to stay up to date with changes in our chosen fields. We continue our education with professional qualifications, attend industry events and read the latest industry news. There’s a wealth of experience out there that we can tap into. Networking can give you access to all that and more. Simply by talking to other professionals in your industry you are gaining access to the knowledge of many. And it is far more satisfying and productive that trawling through job-boards or recruitment agency websites.
It is that exchange of information that can really help to advance a career. You can transfer those ideas into your current role and organisation, or use it to help identify completely new opportunities. You could even meet the person looking to fill that role you want. At Barron Williams, when a client comes to us with a new role brief, we may already know relevant potential candidates for that role. That is because our business is built on networking. Networks of people in various industries and sectors, as well as broader business networks. Great networks work for us, and they can work for you. Even if you’re happy in your current role, you never know when that great opportunity may arise. When it does, you’ll want to know about it.
A good network is there for the bad times too
All of us hit hurdles in our professional lives at one time or another. It is inevitable. Good networking, however, can prove invaluable when we hit those bumps in the road. It can provide the support we need. You can talk to people who’ve experienced similar issues. A good network can help you manage those challenges effectively, by either giving you the advice you need, or connecting you with people who can help. And in the future, you can help others in the same situation.
Whilst all of this may sound easy, don’t be fooled. Good networking needs effort. You have to put in the leg work. It takes time to build up a good, strong and trusted network. Time that many of us simply struggle to find in our working day. And depending on your personality, it can also be very difficult for many of us to really put ourselves out there. To find that confidence to just pick up the phone, make those connections.
The rewards are more than worth that extra bit of effort though. Done well, business networking can help you find that new role faster, it will give you a competitive edge throughout every step of your career. Networking is much more than just selling yourself, and more about building long-term relationships. Building your reputation by meeting like-minded people and getting to know who you can support, and who can potentially help you in return. Once built, a good network will last a lifetime.
Building and maintaining a network
With a recruitment market as competitive as it is, it never hurts to know someone with their finger on the pulse, and the more people you know, the greater your chances of finding out about a potential opportunity. However, a good business network also requires a little TLC. It’s important to keep in touch, not too much, just pick up the phone, drop an email, the occasional coffee. It is also important to remember that networking is a two way street, a mutually beneficial relationship. Your skills and resources can also help others in your network. A truly great network is built through this idea of sharing.
In our experience, you meet very few people at C-suite/Board level that don’t have a trusted business network behind them. Often their success can largely be accredited to the strong channels they’ve fostered over time. I know that is most definitely the case with my CFO friend. We work in highly competitive and challenging sectors that often undergo significant change. A good network will help navigate the professional trials and tribulations we face on a daily basis. It will open you up to new opportunities as well as bring you into contact with great, like-minded people.
If you’re looking for your next role, then please feel free to Upload Your CV or Call Us for an exploratory conversation. If you’re looking for a senior executive for your organisation, please use our Client Upload Form or Call Us now.
