When we hear the term
“networking,” most of us
think about meeting folks
outside of our company.
However, the true power of networking
resides with making a connection inside
of your company.
Three benefits of networking
within your company
After all, you spend more time working
with people inside your company
than out. It’s these connections that
build camaraderie, co-operation and
a cohesive team. In essence, internal
networking is your secret weapon to:
1. Forge Deeper Connections –
Similar to the old adage, the more
you share, the more you care.
Without a common bond, you’ll
never meet your next mentor, friend
or champion.
2. Understand Your Industry and
Company Better – Tapping into
the brilliance of your colleagues is
an informal way to gain essential
knowledge. Ask your colleagues
how they’re tackling a particular
issue; question how they’re seeing
the industry transform; uncover
successful solutions facing your
team. The bottom line: information
is career currency.
3. Discover Opportunities for
Advancement – Co-ordinating with
someone and partnering on a project
allows your expertise to shine. Of
course, it also sets you up for the
next advancement or promotion.
The deadly sins of networking
Even if you don’t know exactly what
to do to facilitate a conversation and
connection, ensure you avoid these
deadly sins:
1. Screening Yourself with
Screens – Your phone, laptop and
tablet are the enemy. Entering
a meeting room or job site and
immediately delving into your
technology broadcasts that you are
unavailable for conversation.
2. Replying with “Busy, Busy” – Your
answer to, “How’s it going?” could
HUMAN RESOURCES
end with a sure-fire conversation
stopper. Instead, reply with specifics
of a project under construction.
3. Talking Politics – Regardless of
your favourite political candidate,
someone is ready to disagree with
you. The advice: bite your tongue.
Switch the conversation quickly to
a non-controversial one.
Give ’em something to talk about
Networking is simply having a
conversation and then culturing a
relationship; it’s a mutually beneficial
relationship where you share industry
trends, concerns, solutions and relevant
personal information. The old
adage about not mixing business with
pleasure is wrong. If you don’t share
anything, you don’t learn anything!
Further, how do you convert a conversation
into a connection if you have
nothing to say?
A landmark University of Chicago
study concluded that people who
“talk to strangers” felt a greater sense
of self and well-being than those
The Art of Networking
Inside Your Company
How to build camaraderie, co-operation
and a cohesive team
By Liz Goodgold
RAWPIXEL/123RF
PILING CANADA 65
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