How to Network Outside of the Office

Networking is important, but how do you go about doing so outside of the office? There are a couple of options. One is to approach people in your personal circle or from your school years. Another way is to go outside of the industry and network with people you may not have met in person before. These people may have some valuable connections, but they are outside your industry. If you are in a networking position, the next step is to reach out to these people and make sure to introduce yourself.

Face-to-face networking

As technology advances, more people are opting for social networking sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter to build new business contacts. Face-to-face networking, however, is still a very important activity. As opposed to online networking, face-to-face networking focuses on building new business contacts and is just as effective. Here are a few benefits of face-to-face networking:

Online networking is convenient, but it lacks the personal touch of meeting people in person. In person meetings, you can express yourself and exchange ideas freely. In addition, exchanging items such as business cards is a great way to boost your business. But face-to-face networking can be a bit intimidating for many people. It's best to make an effort to overcome this fear and get out of your comfort zone.

First, try to be friendly and approachable. Face-to-face meetings create a more personal feeling, so try to avoid being too serious. Moreover, try to arrive early for a face-to-face meeting, preferably before your scheduled time. Be friendly, and remember to carry business cards. Also, follow-up with people you meet. You can use social networking websites and e-mail to establish business connections. Make sure you stay in touch with those you meet, even if they don't work with you anymore.

Conferences can help you meet people and broaden your network. Whether you are attending a conference or simply attending a social event, a face-to-face meeting can help you build relationships and business connections. Face-to-face networking is more effective than online networking, as it allows you to connect with new people in an authentic and personal way. If you do not have the time to attend these events, you can attend a conference that interests you.

Another benefit of face-to-face networking outside of the office is that it promotes teamwork. You can develop relationships outside of work through team sports, which is not only beneficial for your career but will help you establish strong relationships as well. In addition, it will boost workplace dynamics by enhancing the culture of a company. And, if you are a freelancer, face-to-face networking is a great way to get connected.

Asking for referrals from others

Many people underestimate the power of word of mouth marketing. Asking for referrals regularly will maximize the benefits of word-of-mouth marketing. But not many business owners bother with this simple task. Here are some tips for asking for referrals:

The power of customer referrals cannot be underestimated. A satisfied customer's referral is the most effective source of new business. According to a recent Marketshare report, word-of-mouth marketing improves marketing effectiveness by 54%. Businesses that use referrals as regular marketing experience higher conversion rates and shorter close times. This is not surprising considering that 71 percent of online shoppers read reviews before purchasing a product or service.

Building a broader network

Many managers resolve to build a broader network outside of the office, but they are derailed by their first crisis. Harris Roberts, a new business unit manager at a multinational pharmaceutical company, wanted to build a broader network outside of work, so he volunteered to become the alumni liaison for his cohort's alumni network. But when a major new-drug approval process consumed his time, he canceled his commitments and became a functional manager.

Building trust

While networking with your coworkers, build trust by being available and helpful. You may find that people feel more comfortable talking to you when you include them in office events. If you have a favorite work colleague, invite him or her to brainstorm sessions or group lunches. Make sure you include all coworkers in your personal conversations. By doing so, you will build rapport with everyone. In addition, you'll show your coworker that you care about their input and don't dismiss their concerns.

One of the best ways to build trust is to share your knowledge with other people. By sharing knowledge, you establish credibility and help others. You must make sure that you share your knowledge honestly and with the correct intention. This will also help you build trust. When you share information with your coworkers, they should look at you as trustworthy and trust you to execute your intentions. By doing this, you'll ensure that you get more referrals.

One of the most important aspects of professional networking is to build trust. Trust is vital for any relationship, whether it is professional or personal. In fact, people who work for a company with high levels of trust are 74% less stressed than those in a low-trust environment. Low-trust work environments are stressful for everyone. Trust-based workplaces also encourage teamwork and value hard work. This is good for productivity.

When networking with colleagues, managers can encourage personal connections by starting meetings with a "Take 5" exercise, which helps participants to talk about their lives and their experiences. In a recent virtual team meeting, a virtual team member described how the sniper attacks in the Washington, D.C. area affected her. She then asked her coworker about the violence in the Philippines. Such conversations help develop empathy, which is an essential component of trust building.

Action researchers can be instrumental in facilitating network development and building trust. These networks have several valuable outcomes. Among them are joint customer projects, joint personnel recruitment campaigns, two joint R&D projects, a product prototype, and joint exhibition stand participation. These outcomes have significantly enhanced the inter-organizational relationships among the firms and heightened the know-who competence. So, it is important to consider the social research literature on network development when planning your next networking event.