Networking is a way to create alliances and build group projects. It is about promoting participation and teamwork to achieve common goals.
Networking does not escape this principle and is a very important practice in the business world, in which alliances and cooperation are key to enhancing contact between professionals.
Networking is a term that you have probably heard during work meetings, business roundtables, conferences, webinars, online classes, among other spaces.
In the following article, we invite you to learn more about its concept, what it is used for, its impact on digital and its importance when doing business.
What is networking?
Networking is the action of forging professional networks of contacts to publicize a profile and/or business. It is used using both digital platforms and in-person events, such as technology conferences, to enhance the exchange of knowledge and the acquisition of business opportunities.
Therefore, networking takes place both online and offline. The actions that complement networking are:
- Listen and learn from others.
- Find potential collaborators, partners or investors.
- Strengthen labor relations.
If we wanted to delve deeper into what specific spaces networking takes place, we would highlight both social networks for professional purposes (such as LinkedIn, Womenalia or Yammer), as well as fairs, events, talks or any corporate meeting.
Statistics reveal that 65% of professionals prefer corporate events for networking. Therefore, those spaces where valuable knowledge is shared, and educated rather than selling, are conducive spaces for networking.
It should be noted that networking is not exclusive to entrepreneurs or people related to business. Also, it can be beneficial for those who are looking for a job or thinking about changing jobs.
A networking network helps professionals connect with other managers, directors and entrepreneurs to deepen their respective business interests by developing beneficial relationships and business alliances.
Networking in digital: case of LinkedIn
LinkedIn is one of the most important social networks today for getting a job and networking. Its data classification and vacancy application system has enabled millions of users in various countries to receive job offers and find new personnel for their companies.
Within its platform, LinkedIn allows others to rate your performance, legitimize your work skills and learn about your academic recognitions.
Also, it represents an attractive way to present your curriculum vitae (CV) and interact with new professionals. Like Facebook and Instagram, LinkedIn decided to equip itself with new tools for those companies looking to improve their online presence.
This is why this networking network launched an update for companies called “LinkedIn for brands”, which focuses on professionals with potential in the marketing area whose objective is to give more prominence to their projects and/or businesses in this network.
In this way, LinkedIn has become one of the most prodigious platforms for carrying out networking and relationship marketing strategies.
Nowadays, it is extremely important to have a profile within this network of professional contacts, not only so that your employees can indicate that they are part of your team, but to obtain, at the same time, business opportunities with other organizations that share your same value proposition and want to create strategic alliances with your brand.
But be careful! Managers of large companies point out how ineffective it can be to add someone to LinkedIn without having previously met them. However, they say that doing so after having spoken in person can strengthen the relationship and generate greater trust.
What is networking for?
Networking gives you multiple advantages and benefits, among the most notable are:
Strengthen professional relationships
Networking allows you to create 1:1 relationships with your potential clients, suppliers, financial institutions and investors.
You will be the one who interacts personally or virtually with these entities, demonstrating your abilities to negotiate and generate trust.
Without a doubt, this will help you strengthen your relationships and create contact networks that can serve you in the short or long term.
Promote a product or service efficiently
Within networks of high professional impact, it is much easier to give visibility to your business proposals, mention their benefits and why it is important to buy/invest in them.
It is an environment where negotiations and presentation of ideas are widely accepted.
Acquire a greater degree of knowledge
When you network, you are an open book that is in search of new knowledge to enhance the development of your company.
In this sense, this action allows you to learn more about the work environment that surrounds you and assess its risks and opportunities with greater perspective.
Keep in mind that your network of contacts is vital for the development of your professional and business career.
Acquire new clients or partners
Whether within digital platforms or in-person events, increasing your networks of contacts and allies is an advantage that networking offers you to acquire new clients or partners for your company.
When you expose the values that your brand has to an audience interested in your industry, it is much easier for other people to connect with your values and want to be part of your project, either as allies or as clients.
Why is networking so important?
Networking is of great importance because it establishes professional networks of contacts that help people to make known their social skills, listen and learn from others, connect with potential collaborators, partners or investors, receive advice from people who have achieved great trajectory in the commercial world, and most importantly, get potential clients interested in buying your products and/or services.
On the other hand, networking allows you to put your emotional intelligence into practice within competitive scenarios and great work commitment.
This skill, which involves self-control of emotions and establishing empathetic relationships with third parties, makes a wide difference between people who get good jobs and professional opportunities, and the rest of the people who do not.
Networking is not just about creating contacts but about cultivating lasting relationships with people and organizations that can nurture your professional growth.
In short, networking is a set of actions that takes into account the value of negotiation, emotional intelligence and the development of skills.
At the same time, it is a strategy that provides multiple benefits to entrepreneurs and business leaders who want to increase their opportunities in the market.
A networker recognizes the importance of creating networks, sharing values, exchanging knowledge and establishing long-term relationships.
Networking is a solution for those companies that want to cultivate important allies during their market positioning.
