Building A Networking Strategy

3 ways to build deeper, lasting connections (at work and beyond): 1/ Show up when it’s inconvenient. Anyone can be around for the wins, the praise, the promotion. What counts is who checks in on you when you’re under pressure or dealing with uncertainty. Strong connections are built in showing up without being asked. Especially when there’s nothing obvious in it for you. 2/ Be honest and listen without fixing. Not every conversation needs advice or a solution. Sometimes, people just want to be heard. Ask how someone really is, and hold space for them to be vulnerable. No greater sign of trust than someone feeling safe enough to let their guard down. 3/ Remember the little things. People notice when you recall the book they wanted to read, the job interview they were nervous about, or the fact that they hate phone calls but love voice notes :)) Details tell people they matter. Image via Colby Kultgen

A follow-up to something I posted earlier… The most valuable person in your network probably has nothing to do with your industry. That sounds backwards. But here's what most people miss about networking: The connections that look "irrelevant" create the most exponential growth. The ones that seem "practical" just keep you moving in straight lines. I think about people in my life who have made a real difference, like Michael Roderick, a friend who used to be a Broadway producer and inspired me on my journey to start writing musical theater. As I write about in The Long Game, there are three types of networking most people never distinguish: Short-Term Networking: You connect because you need something now. It feels transactional because it is. People sense the agenda immediately. Long-Term Networking: You build relationships in your field over time. Smart professionals do this consistently. But it's the baseline, not the breakthrough. Infinite Horizon Networking: This is where exponential growth happens. You connect with people completely outside your sphere. Not because you need something. Because they spark curiosity. The astronaut who changes how you think about systems. The comedian who teaches you timing in presentations. The dog breeder who shows you patience in development. These connections seem impractical. They won't help you close a deal next quarter. But here's the paradox: When you stop optimizing for immediate relevance, you start accessing ideas no one else in your field has. You think differently. You solve problems differently. You become unforgettable in a sea of people with identical networks. Your greatest opportunities emerge from conversations you never expected to have. Networking isn't just a business tool. It's about becoming more curious. More creative. More human. When you connect out of genuine curiosity, you don't just build a network. You become someone worth knowing. It's the most rewarding investment you can make in your personal and professional life. Think about the people in your life who inspire you most - and ways you can begin to spend even more time with people outside your sphere.

If you want to grow on LinkedIn, focus less on collecting connections and more on building meaningful ones. Most people treat LinkedIn like a numbers board: “Let me hit 10,000 connections.” But the truth is- growth comes from depth, not quantity. Here’s what actually helps you build worthy, long-term connections 👇 1️⃣ Stop sending cold requests. Start sending context. “Hi, let’s connect” rarely works. A simple one-line reason why you want to connect- changes everything. People respond to intention, not randomness. 2️⃣ Comment before you connect. Thoughtful comments get noticed faster than connection requests. Engage with their posts, add a real perspective, that’s how you become memorable. 3️⃣ Share value consistently. People connect with those who help them grow. Share insights, experiences, frameworks, mistakes, lessons, and value build credibility. 4️⃣ Reach out without expecting anything. The best relationships start with curiosity, not demands. Don’t lead with “Please refer me” or “I need a job.” Start a conversation. Opportunities follow naturally. 5️⃣ Be patient and consistent. Meaningful networks don’t grow overnight. A few weeks of consistent posting + genuine engagement can change your entire reach. 6️⃣ Be authentic, not perfect. Your real voice, real experiences, and real thoughts will attract the right people into your network. LinkedIn isn’t about how many connections you have. It’s about how many you genuinely connect with. Build relationships that feel human- not transactional.

The most effective networkers understand a fundamental principle that distinguishes meaningful professional relationships from transactional interactions: they prioritize contributing value before seeking assistance.   Effective networking strategies focus on mutual benefit:   Pre-Event Research: Identifying attendees and understanding their professional challenges, recent achievements, or industry focus areas where you might offer insights or connections.   Value-Forward Conversations: Initiating discussions around industry trends, sharing relevant resources, or offering introductions to valuable contacts rather than immediately discussing personal career needs.   Strategic Follow-Up: Connecting post-event with thoughtful resources, articles, or introductions that address specific challenges discussed, rather than generic LinkedIn requests.   Long-Term Relationship Building: Maintaining consistent, value-driven contact with your network through sharing relevant opportunities, insights, or connections throughout the year.   This approach transforms networking from a series of favor requests into genuine relationship building that creates reciprocal value over time.   Professionals who consistently offer value before seeking assistance develop networks that actively support their career advancement because those relationships are built on mutual benefit rather than one-sided need.   The strongest professional networks emerge when individuals position themselves as resources for others' success rather than solely focusing on their own advancement needs.   What strategies have you found most effective for creating mutually beneficial professional relationships?   Sign up to my newsletter for more corporate insights and truths here: https://lnkd.in/ei_uQjju   #deepalivyas #eliterecruiter #recruiter #recruitment #jobsearch #corporate #networking #professionalnetworking #relationshipbuilding #careerstrategist

Too many businesses make the mistake of trying to appeal to 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦—and end up connecting with 𝘯𝘰 𝘰𝘯𝘦. Businesses that start with a clear niche gain traction faster, build brand authority, and create real momentum before expanding into broader markets. I’ve seen this firsthand in music, tech and cannabis. I am launching a wellness platform for a deeply engaged audience: Gamers. We are aligning with their needs, leveraging existing gaming communities and influencers, and creating packages designed specifically for them. Here’s why this works: ✅ 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 = 𝗙𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵   Gamers are already online, passionate, and looking for ways to optimize their performance and well-being. By meeting them where they are, we don’t have to fight for their attention—we just have to deliver value. ✅ 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀   Rather than building from scratch, I’m tapping into a 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘀. This allows for rapid adoption and organic credibility within the community. ✅ 𝗡𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝘀 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆   When you solve a specific problem for a defined audience, you become the go-to brand in that space. Master your niche first, and expansion becomes much easier. This is a playbook that works across industries. Whether it’s wellness, tech, or consumer goods, the fastest way to scale is 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄, 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱. Who is your niche audience? Are you serving their specific needs—or trying to reach too many people at once? #scalingwellness

How to Triple your influence with Stealth Questions Using questions judiciously can highly influence people. In the practice of NLP, questions directionalize consciousness and can guide people to decisions. Introduction: The Art of Asking Imagine you're a skilled angler. You know that the right bait, cast, and patience can land you a big fish. In the world of LinkedIn, questions are your bait. Used wisely, they can reel in valuable connections, opportunities, and insights. The Power of Questions in NLP In Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), questions are strategic tools. They can: Direct attention: Guide people's thoughts and focus. Elicit information: Uncover hidden beliefs, values, and motivations. Create rapport: Build connections and trust. Influence decisions: Shape people's perspectives and choices. Types of Questions and Their Impact Open-ended questions: Encourage detailed responses. Example: "What are your thoughts on the future of remote work?" Closed-ended questions: Get specific answers. Example: "Have you attended a LinkedIn workshop recently?" Leading questions: Suggest a particular answer. Example: "Wouldn't you agree that networking is essential for career growth?" Hypothetical questions: Explore possibilities. Example: "If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?" LinkedIn Use Cases: Prospecting: Example: "I noticed you're interested in [topic]. Have you considered [product/service]?" Networking: Example: "What are your goals for the next year? How can I support you in achieving them?" Content creation: Example: "What challenges are you facing in [industry]? I'd love to write a post about it." Tips for Effective Questioning: Be genuine: Ask questions out of curiosity, not manipulation. Listen actively: Pay attention to the responses and follow up with relevant questions. Tailor questions: Adapt your questions to the individual and the context. Avoid judgment: Be open-minded and non-confrontational. Analogy: A Guided Tour Think of yourself as a tour guide. Your goal is to lead your visitors (potential connections) to a fascinating destination (a mutually beneficial relationship). By asking the right questions, you can ensure that they have a delightful journey and want to return for more. Remember: The art of questioning is a skill that can be honed with practice. By using questions strategically, you can enhance your LinkedIn interactions, build stronger relationships, and achieve your professional goals. #socialthursday #NLPtraining #persuasion #influence

I've discovered a LinkedIn strategy that compounds over time. It's the opposite of what most people do. Most LinkedIn strategies focus on immediate results: → Post content → Get engagement → Generate leads → Convert quickly This transactional approach treats LinkedIn like a lead generation machine. My compounding strategy focuses on long-term relationship building: → Share insights → Build trust → Develop relationships → Create opportunities Here’s the difference in these mindsets: Transactional: "How can I get something from this platform?" Relational: "How can I add value to this community?" Here’s how a relational approach creates compound returns: Month 1: Building foundation and initial relationships Month 2: Established reputation begins generating opportunities Month 4: Network effects create exponential growth Month 6+: Referrals and opportunities arrive constantly Transactional strategies plateau quickly. Relational strategies compound indefinitely. The most successful LinkedIn users I know focus on giving value, building relationships, and think in years, not weeks. LinkedIn rewards long-term thinking. Be helpful consistently. The business follows naturally. What's one way you could be more helpful to your LinkedIn community this week?

Effective networking isn't just about knowing people. It's about building meaningful connections and providing value. It's a strategic advantage. Think about it: Networking isn’t about collecting contacts; it’s about planting seeds that grow into partnerships. Imagine this: You meet someone at an event. You exchange business cards, but that’s just the beginning. Real networking starts when you follow up, offer help, and stay in touch. Building meaningful connections means showing genuine interest in others. Ask about their projects, offer your expertise, and be reliable. When you provide value, people remember you. They want to collaborate and support you in return. Effective networking is about quality, not quantity. Focus on a few key relationships and nurture them. This leads to trust, and trust is the foundation of any strong partnership. Providing value can be as simple as sharing useful information, making introductions, or offering your skills. It's about giving before you receive. When you build real connections, opportunities naturally come your way. People are more likely to refer you, collaborate with you, and support your endeavors. Networking is a long-term investment in your career. It’s not about instant gratification but about growing a network that will benefit you and others over time. Remember, it’s not about who you know. It’s about who knows you and values what you bring to the table. Plant those seeds, nurture them, and watch your network grow into a strong, supportive community.

Ever wondered why some project managers always seem one step ahead? 🤔 Two weeks ago, our Siemens Energy PM Community went on a Learning Expedition to ESMT Berlin. We had a session with Gianluca Carnabuci, who shared a simple idea I can’t get out of my head: Being effective as a PM is not just about your operational network. It’s about building a strategic one. Operational networks help us run the day to day. They keep things moving, unblock tasks, and solve problems fast. These connections matter — they create operational cohesion, which is crucial for smooth project execution. But what often goes unnoticed is that this is only half the story. To truly lead across projects, functions, and future challenges, you need something more effective for long‑term steering: a strategic network. A network that spans internal silos, partners and companies. A network that gives you access to early indicators before formal decisions are communicated. A network that helps you detect initial signals, sense shifts in the environment, and gain time to prepare. During the session, it became clear once I connected this to a real project situation. Some time ago, one of our key customers went through a change in ownership structure. Nothing unusual on paper — these things happen. But then their priorities changed quickly, and our whole project team had to react. If we had built a stronger strategic network at that time — not just within the project, but across the broader group of stakeholders — we might have seen the shift earlier. We could have prepared. We could have adapted faster. This aligns directly with what Carnabuci described: Strategic networks is what helps project managers pick up early indicators and anticipate upcoming changes reliably. It’s not luck. It’s design. And it’s also part of our mindset at Siemens Energy: We don’t just deliver HVDC projects. We coordinate work across technical and organizational boundaries, connect countries, and make grids designed for upcoming requirements. That requires PMs who are well connected — not only in execution, but in insight. So in summary, the most applicable insight from Berlin is this: Network building is not a “nice to have.” It’s a core PM skill. And strategic networks may determine whether teams adjust before or after a change occurs. ⚡ Thanks Florencia Rodriguez Lamas and Danielle Schrepfer for organizing the event. What was a moment in your career when your strategic network helped you see a change coming earlier? 🤝

I landed back in Los Angeles after a 4-day legal convention in Vegas and realized something: People are great at networking in the moment, but struggle to follow-up and keep relationships after an event like a major convention. To make sure all of the connections you made are sustained long-term, here's a step-by-step guide to effectively follow up post-convention: 📝 Personalized Note Writing: Always begin with a personalized note. Thank your new contacts for their time and highlight specific topics or moments you shared. A handwritten note can make a deep impression in today's digital world, signaling thoughtfulness and genuine interest. 📲 Organize Contact Details: Compile a database of the addresses, emails, and other contact details you've gathered. Tools like Microsoft Excel or CRM platforms like Salesforce or HubSpot can be great for this. This not only helps with immediate follow-up but aids in long-term relationship management. 🤳🏻 Engage on Social Media:   Connect with your new contacts on platforms like LinkedIn, YouTube, IG, Facebook and TikTok. Engage with their posts to foster online rapport, but ensure your interactions are meaningful. 📩 Newsletters:   If you have a newsletter, consider adding your new contacts to the mailing list (with their consent). This keeps them updated on your activities, insights, and the latest happenings in the legal field. 🔄 Share Your Work: If you've written books, articles, or other publications, share them. It not only positions you as an expert but provides value to your contacts. ✅ Regular Check-ins:   Set reminders to touch base periodically. You could share relevant articles, wish them on holidays, or update them about significant milestones in your career. 👏🏼 Tips and Insights: Offer helpful tips or insights from the convention or from your experience. It’s a non-invasive way to remind them of the value you bring to the table. 🤝 Long-Term Relationship Building Relationships are not about transactions but genuine connections. Ensure your interactions are not always business-focused. Learn about their interests, congratulate them on personal achievements, and be there during challenging times. 📚 Recommend Books: If you've come across insightful books (including ones you've written), recommend them. It's a subtle way to showcase your expertise and share knowledge. 🎉 Events and Reunions: Consider organizing or attending reunion events for convention attendees. It's a way to rekindle connections and stay updated on each other’s progress. Remember: post-convention networking is an art. It requires genuine interest, persistence, and patience. By investing time and effort into nurturing these relationships, you'll not only grow your network but also enrich your professional journey. Remember, it's not about how many contacts you have, but the depth and quality of those connections. #networking #lawyer #success #relationshipbuilding