Is there anything more awkward than a networking event? You’re in a room full of strangers, being talked at as opposed to being talked to, while collecting business cards quicker than a ticket-taker at a theater on opening night. However, as uncomfortable as it may be — networking is a delicate yet vital business skill. When done right, it allows us to thrive and grow simply by engaging in a natural give and take of meaningful rapport and mutual interest. Too often, though, ambitious efforts to connect leave us feeling uneasy and straining for authenticity that just isn’t there.
Despite this, genuine business relationships can and do exist. Dedicated professionals — the people you want to meet and have on your team — constantly search for others in their industry who are equally committed to excellence. Here are a few ways you can create authentic business connections in your professional circle:
- Share Knowledge and Assistance. Give what you want to receive. Tip off worthy colleagues to professional opportunities that would be beneficial to them. Let them know if you’re willing to serve as a reference for them. Be generous with the valuable insights that only experience brings. If you want help from your network—and we all do—set the golden standard by initiating an atmosphere of help and trust yourself.
- Explore Shared Leisure Interests. Open the way for a more personal, non work-related connection. Sporting events are natural venues for invites, but there are many others. Is a colleague a nature enthusiast or art aficionado? Do they perform in community theater or volunteer on the weekends? Find a common interest, and take part in it.
- Acknowledge Life Events. Remembering or helping people celebrate special occasions lets them know that you see them and value what they have, too. Births, birthdays, graduations, marriages, the purchase of a home and anniversaries are some of the most important moments in a person’s life. Even a gesture as simple as a card slipped in the mail assures the recipient that your friendship is more than just a social climb.
- Make a Physical Effort. Don’t rely on email alone. If you work near someone, get up and walk to where they are for a face-to-face. The electronic world of reply all makes actual personal interaction all the more valuable. When you call or visit, you’re not covertly multitasking, copy-pasting or texting. You’re invested in the other person, and the effort proves it.
- Be Inclusive. In a few years, that intern may be a project manager for the cutting-edge company in your field. Likewise, that administrative assistant may know of an upcoming job opportunity that is perfect for you. By reserving genuine professional relationships for only those you think can help you right now, you could actually be limiting your own future.
- Respect Boundaries. Give professional relationships time and space to develop. Too much too soon may make a person uncomfortable and even prompt them to question your motives. Keep overtures within an appropriate professional comfort zone that builds on history and a balanced relationship. Let colleagues meet you halfway on the give as well as the take.
- Own Your Reputation. Our profile often precedes us, and that reputation accrues over time. Decide early on whether you want to be the person that others refer their friends and colleagues to — or the person that others warn their friends and colleagues about. Each genuine interaction adds to your track record and potential network of connections.
While building strong professional relationships takes time and consistent care, the returns offer longevity and understanding. Thoughtful actions now may yield a return on investment for years to come. Plus, as each of you succeeds, you have the bond of shared history and the ability to ask for advice or help.
Each genuine connection you nurture can starburst into another network of equally authentic professional relationships. It may yield the solution you’ve been seeking, the referral of the decade or the foothold for a whole new direction.
Strengthening Relationships Through Corporate Gifting
Here at Cane River Pecan Company, we help business professionals build meaningful relationships with colleagues, clients, employees and friends. We believe that the best gifts are equal parts simplicity and quality, with a healthy dash of Southern tradition.
If you’re looking for assistance in selecting that perfect corporate gift for a connection worth celebrating, contact us through our website, or call 1.800.692.3109. Our experienced corporate gifting specialists can help you send the perfect selection for every occasion.
