Business Networking Post-Pandemic - Why You Should Dive Back In

Covid did not change everything. Networking is still vital to your career. Here’s why you should get stuck back into business networking post-pandemic.

It is often said that the Covid-19 pandemic changed everything. Wrong. One thing remains the same: the importance of networking. Whether you are an intern or a CEO, developing professional contacts is vital to gain knowledge, experience, and opportunities. In a word, indispensable.

Don't just take our word for it. According to research, 85% of positions are filled through networking, while 95% of professionals consider face-to-face communication essential for long term business. Pretty simple, right?

Post-Pandemic Networking

Unfortunately, not so simple. Amid nation-wide lockdowns, networking as we knew it changed for good. Events like conferences and workshops moved to virtual spaces and social media became the default mode of communication. Love them or hate them, these online forms of networking are here to stay. It’s definitely time to embrace them if you haven’t already.

To be a more effective networker, try honing down on a single social media platform, one that best represents your professional and personal values. This will avoid fatigue and keep things manageable.

On your preferred profile, create a strong “professional story” with a clear profile image and content. When communicating online, send shorter messages, have more impactful conversations, learn to start, and end on time, and be respectful of a person’s time.

Networking In Person Is Still Effective (Actually, Even More So!)

Luckily, these days are behind us. As restrictions have lifted, opportunities for face-to-face meetings have returned. And thank goodness because nothing can beat them. From dinners to sports matches, these networking opportunities are the best ways of meeting new people and re-engaging with lost ties. Building trust and developing deeper personal connections are the keys to long term business success.

Although it is a necessary back up, much of that connective quality can be lost in video calling. The ability to interpret nonverbal cues, such as the odd sigh or facial expression, results in a loss of communicating important information. The worst part is everyone admits that their focus is often elsewhere as there are too many distractions. Then there’s the clunky conversations that make it harder to contribute and communicate ideas. This might seem simple, but don't underestimate it.

Be it online or in person, one thing is crucial to network effectively: strategy. Like anything in business, it is essential to plan and guide your personal and professional connections, especially if it’s something occurring over time with elements that build on one another. Despite this, research by Relatus reveals that 84% of individuals lack an overall networking strategy. Let’s change this.

I invite you to get in touch with Relatus today to find out how we can help you leverage your networking capabilities.

As always,

Happy netships (networking relationships)

Julia

Julia Palmer a respected Relational Strategist and Chief Executive of Relatus, helping you develop your relational capabilities to give you the human advantage.