Networking In The Finance Sector

The biggest mistake I made in business development? (And the one I see others make every week…) Asking for the business before I gave any value. ❌ I’d pitch. ❌ I’d present. ❌ I’d try to impress. But it rarely worked, and never felt right. What I finally learned was this: You don’t earn trust by selling. You earn it by giving, long before you ever make an ask. So, if you want to become the kind of advisor clients  seek out… ✅ Start with value.  ✅ Lead with generosity.  ✅ Then let trust do the rest. Here are 8 of my favorite ways to offer value before  asking for business: 1. Make a Strategic Introduction → Connect them to someone helpful. Your network  becomes part of your value. 2. Ask for Their Perspective → Curious questions create more respect than pitch  decks ever will. 3. Send a Thoughtful Surprise → A book, a note, a resource. Relevance shows you’re  paying attention and that matters. 4. Share Tailored Insights → Generic = forgettable. A timely idea, just for them, can  open big doors. 5. Invite Them to Something Exclusive → Roundtables or niche events. Scarcity adds value.  Inclusion builds connection. 6. Host a Problem-Solving Session → Brainstorm a real issue together. Let them experience  your thinking in action. 7. Offer a Mini-Diagnostic → Spot something they didn’t know was broken. It  reframes you from seller to solver. 8. Provide a Sample of Your Service → No pressure. Just a preview. Let them feel the value  before the ask. Here’s the shift: Don’t try to close a deal. Try to open a relationship. Give first.  Then give a little more. And I promise the results will take care of themselves. 👉 Which one will you try this week? ♻️ Valuable? Repost to help someone in your network. 📌 Follow Mo Bunnell for client-growth strategies that don’t feel like selling. Want the full cheat sheet? Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/e3qRVJRf 

The MD who proved my entire view on the power of relationships sent me this text at 9:47pm: "Just had drinks with someone I met 7 years ago at a conference. We've exchanged maybe 5 emails since. Tonight he offered me a board seat." Seven years. Five emails. One life-changing opportunity. Most executives think relationship building means endless coffee meetings, forced networking events, and LinkedIn messages that feel like homework. They're exhausted by the performance of it all. But after 25+ years in financial services, I've learned the executives with the deepest networks do something radically different: They invest in relationships like they're building a portfolio, not closing deals. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗼 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀: 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘆 You don't need 500 LinkedIn connections who wouldn't recognize you in an elevator. You need 50 people who'd take your call during their kid's soccer game. Depth beats breadth every time. 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀, 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 Send the article that made you think of them. Make the introduction that helps their business. Share the opportunity they'd be perfect for. No ask attached. No quid pro quo expected. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝟵𝟬-𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗥𝘂𝗹𝗲 Every quarter, one meaningful touchpoint with your core network. Not "checking in" emails. Real value: An insight, a connection, a resource. Takes 10 minutes. Compounds over years. 𝗕𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱, 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 Stop crafting the perfect elevator pitch. Start asking better questions. The most powerful networkers I know remember your kid's college search, not your revenue targets. One client implemented this approach and told me: "I stopped networking and started actually caring about people. Turns out that's the whole secret." Because authentic relationship building isn't about working the room or perfecting your personal brand. It's about being genuinely useful to people with zero expectation of return. The executive who texted me about the board seat? She hadn't "networked" with that person in seven years. She'd simply been helpful when it mattered, stayed loosely connected, and trusted that good relationships create their own opportunities. Your next breakthrough won't come from the person you pitched perfectly at last night's event. It'll come from someone you helped three years ago who suddenly needs exactly what you offer. Stop networking. Start investing. 💭 What's one relationship you've let go dormant that deserves a genuine reconnection this week? ------------ ♻️ Share with someone who needs to rethink their approach to professional relationships ➕ Follow Courtney Intersimone for more truth about building executive influence

6 Follow Up Templates That Keep Networking Conversations Alive: 1. The Value-First Follow Up Aim to add value to an initiative you know they're working on: "Hi Sarah, saw your company just announced the new product launch. I came across this article on similar launches in your industry. Thought it might spark some ideas for your marketing strategy. Hope the launch prep is going smoothly!" 2. The Specific Question Angle Asking specific questions shows credibility and can get you info you can use to add value: "Hey David, been thinking about our coffee chat last week. You mentioned struggling with team retention in H2. Have you tried implementing "retention interviews" yet? I saw 3 companies in tech reduce turnover by 40% using them, here's a link to that data." 3. The Introduction Offer Networking is hard (as you know!). Offering to make an intro is a great way to add value to two people: "Hi Jessica, following up from our chat. You mentioned needing a UI/UX designer for that new AI feature. My former colleague Anna just went freelance and she's brilliant. She redesigned our entire app in 6 weeks last year. Happy to make an intro if you're still looking!" 4. The Industry Update Hook Leveraging a shift in the market or industry can be a great way to spark a follow up conversation: "Hey Marcus, did you see [Company]'s new Slack-free hours announcement? It directly impacts what we discussed about interrupted work and team output. Could be something worth looking into for your team?" 5. The Achievement Celebration Everyone loves to be recognized for their achievements. Be that person! "Lisa! Just saw you got promoted to VP on LinkedIn. I remember you mentioned being in an interview process when we met for coffee. I know how stressed you were about the interview with the C-Level. Looks like you crushed it! Would love to hear about your new role if you're up for a chat in the next week or two." 6. The Resource Share Sharing resources aligned with your contact's needs is one of the best ways to stay top of mind: "Hi Tom, I know you'd mentioned how much time your sales team was spending on pre-qualification. A connection of mine just shared an AI automation flow that solves for that exact problem. He said it's saved his team 15+ hours per week and led to more sales. I grabbed a copy if you'd like to see it. Just let me know!" —— ➕ Follow Austin Belcak for more 🔵 Ready to land your dream job? Click here to learn more about how we help people land amazing jobs in ~3.5 months with a $44k raise: https://lnkd.in/gdysHr-r

Many financial advisors struggle to build a strong social media brand. But you don’t have to be one of them. When I first started, my social media presence was stagnant. But I quickly realized how crucial it is to build trust and credibility online For financial advisors, it's especially important to understand that your audience values authenticity and expertise above all else. I knew I needed a better strategy to grow on social media. So, I worked hard to understand my audience and experimented with different types of content. Over time, I figured out what works, and now I’m sharing these strategies with you. ✅ Share Your Daily Habits: → Let people in on the routines that shape your day and your financial expertise → Authenticity helps build a stronger connection with your clients. ✅ Highlight Your Unique Traits: → Make sure your posts reflect your true personality and financial philosophy. → Be yourself; it’s the best way to stand out in the crowded market. ✅ Understand Your Audience: → Get to know your clients' needs and connect with them on a deeper level. →Tailor your content to what they find valuable and interesting. ✅ Be Open About Your Thoughts: → Share your decision-making process and market insights. → Transparency fosters trust and credibility in your financial advice. ✅ Show Your Passion: → Don’t hesitate to be emotionally open about why you do what you do. → Genuine emotions resonate deeply and build loyalty. ✅ Engage Consistently: → Regular interaction builds trust and familiarity. → Make engagement a daily habit to stay top of mind. ✅ Share Success Stories: →Highlight your clients' achievements and how you helped them reach their goals. → Real success stories motivate potential clients and provide valuable insights. ✅ Provide Value: → Offer actionable insights or tips that can help your audience in their financial journey. → Valuable content keeps your audience coming back for more. Your authenticity is your strongest asset. Use it to build real connections and make a lasting impact. How do you keep your social media content engaging and authentic? P.s. ✍🏻 I am Benjamin Loh, CSP, a strategic growth coach and consultant who has taught over 65,000 leaders in over 20 global cities and constructed some of the leading icons (TOT, Award Winners) in the financial industry in Asia through the power of authentic storytelling and authority building. 💪 Enjoy this post? Follow me for personal brand and growth insights. #topofmind #millennials #business

Transform Your Connections into Opportunities! 🌐 🚀Networking can be your secret weapon in landing your dream role in finance. Here’s how to effectively leverage LinkedIn and other platforms to cultivate a thriving professional network: 1. Optimize Your Profile: Your LinkedIn profile is your digital business card. Make it shine! Use a professional photo, craft a compelling headline that reflects your aspirations, and summarize your CFA goals. Highlight relevant skills and experiences that showcase your commitment to the finance world. 2. Join CFA and Finance Groups: Engage actively in groups dedicated to CFA candidates and finance enthusiasts. Participate in discussions, share your insights, and ask questions. 3. Reach Out Strategically: When connecting with industry professionals, always personalize your connection requests. Mention shared interests or specific reasons for reaching out. A thoughtful message increases your chances of a positive response! 4. Engage with Content: Don't just scroll—interact! Like, comment on, and share posts from industry leaders and CFA Charterholders. Thoughtful engagement can catch their eye, and who knows? It might lead to future collaborations or mentorship opportunities. 5. Informational Interviews: Take the initiative to request brief chats with seasoned professionals. Most people are eager to share their journeys and insights. Prepare a list of thoughtful questions to ensure you make the most of these valuable discussions. 6. Attend Networking Events: Look for webinars, seminars, and local CFA society events. These gatherings are goldmines for meeting like-minded individuals and established professionals. Don’t just attend—be an active participant, and don’t hesitate to introduce yourself! 7. Follow Up: After meeting someone, send a thank-you message or connect on LinkedIn. Keeping the conversation going is crucial. Share articles, insights, or even congratulate them on recent accomplishments to maintain that connection. 8. Share Your Journey: Post about your CFA study experiences, tips, or insights on LinkedIn. Authenticity attracts engagement. You never know who might resonate with your journey and reach out! 9. Leverage Alumni Networks: Tap into your school’s alumni network. Alumni are often willing to help fellow graduates and may offer invaluable career advice or connections in the finance industry. 10. Be Patient and Persistent: Networking is a marathon, not a sprint. Building genuine relationships takes time, so be patient and stay consistent. The more you invest in your network, the more it will pay off in the long run. Your CFA journey is not just about passing exams; it’s about building a community that supports your career growth. Now is the time to invest in relationships that will propel you forward in your career! Follow for more such informative content! #CFA #Networking #FinanceCommunity #CFAInstitute #CFACandidates #CFAlevel1 #CFAlevel2 #CFAlevel3

This is the advice I wish I had be given early on as a financial advisor. Here's some insight and top tips I've gathered during my last 18 years as a financial advisor and what I wish I would have known when I started. As a young advisor I was taught about the products I could sell and how to become a master at cold calling. I was taught that if I called X times, got Y appointments, I would close Z sales and make a lot of money. And sure, this is all true, but very little time was spent on the value of deeper conversations and learning the meaning behind the money of our clients. Here's what I learned the hard way that led me to great success (top 5% of ~11,000 agents nationally) ✅ Listen more than you talk ✅ Show people you listened by repeating back, in-depth, what they are telling you is important to them without a product agenda in mind! ✅ Quickly find commonalities with the people you're meeting with ✅ Talk about how Solution X = Outcome Y and tie it back to your client's hopes, dreams, and goals ✅ Don't rely on the "illustration" to close the sale for you ✅ Know your crowd; i.e. don't wear a suit and tie to meet with a dairy farmer Can a financial advisor find some level of success by focusing on selling financial product X over and over again? Sure, but most times this will limit your production and growth long term. In fact I've seen many advisors crash and burn using this Product model. The above tips might take a little more time to build up the steam you're looking for, but it's worth it. I remember our weekly sales meetings where I had very little to report early on, but then all of a sudden I was the one with the most production and people were asking me how I did it. Here's to teaching you how to fish instead of giving you one! What tips would you add to support the younger generation of advisors trying to grow? #financialadvisors #success #tips

My Relationship-Building Guide (Networking – if we must call it that) After 20+ years in finance, tech, healthcare, and games, I’ve never cold applied to a job. Not once. I'm giving you all my secrets for nothing because I want you to succeed. Every role I’ve ever had came from relationship building. Not from privilege. Not from inherited connections - I had none from my family. Well before any follower count or regular content creation (didn't do that at all until 4-5 years ago). Just consistent effort to connect with people I genuinely respected. This isn’t a cheat code. It’s not fast. It’s not always comfortable. But it is learnable. Important context: I deeply respect concerns around equal access, neurodiversity, comfort zones, and systemic bias. I’m naturally shy too. This isn’t dismissive – it’s practical for the world we’re in. Here are 30 relationship-building principles that shaped my career: 1. Start with alumni networks (school, bootcamps, online courses). Low barrier, real common ground. 2. Be visible online and in person. Familiarity builds trust. 3. Ask: “Is there anyone else I should talk to?” It multiplies your network. 4. Don’t lead with desperation. Lead with curiosity + steadiness. 5. Job talk starts at conversation 3 (minimum). Build trust first. 6. Only build relationships you actually want. No pretending. 7. Always have 5 mentees. Helping keeps you grounded and useful. 8. Always have 5 mentors. Growth never stops. 9. Maintain 10 meaningful conversations. Not 200 weak ties. 10. Say yes to events, then figure it out. 11. Find access (scholarships, discounts, partners). Ask. Research. 12. The “I’m in town” BD trick works. Confirm meeting, then book travel. 13. Celebrate others authentically. Show real appreciation with specifics. 14. Relationships often resurface years later. Be kind always. 15. Think in one-year arcs. Plant seeds. 16. Ask for conversations, not favors. 17. Some of the best convos are about nonsense. Be a person. 18. Never ask what you can Google. Respect time. 19. Map orgs like a business developer. Do homework. 20. Avoid tunnel vision. Great relationships come from unexpected places. 21. Curate your circle. Let go of what drains you. 22. Your performance is your best networking. Reputation travels. 23. Treat people like you're their friend, not their fan. 24. Leave people wanting more. Warm + concise wins. 25. Track outreach (I keep a simple CRM). Helps you be intentional. 26. Keep notes on key people (kids, pets, interests) because you care. 27. Think before you speak. Two minutes changes everything. 28. Be a 5x giver. Lead with generosity. 29. Be authentic and quirky. Realness is memorable. 30. Put good into the world. Giving creates trust that compounds. Here is the long-form of this guide in article form, if you want to learn more: https://lnkd.in/emKD4c93

By now, you already know: the best roles are rarely filled through job boards. They’re filled through relationships. Over the years, I’ve refined a method I call the “Strategic Access Framework.” Here’s how it works: 1️⃣ Identify the right people inside your target company Don’t just think about recruiters. Instead, ask: Who has insights about the team, culture, and challenges I want to be part of? These are the leaders and decision-makers worth building a connection with. 2️⃣ Initiate a conversation to learn, not to pitch Set up meetings with genuine curiosity. Ask about the company’s direction, leadership priorities, and what success looks like in their roles. When you focus on learning, you naturally leave a stronger impression. 3️⃣ Position yourself for a referral Referrals don’t happen by accident. They come from thoughtful conversations. By asking the right questions and sharing relevant experiences, you’ll naturally open the door for them to connect you to the right opportunity. 4️⃣ Nurture the relationship long-term A single meeting isn’t the end. It’s the beginning. Stay in touch, share insights, and keep the dialogue going. That way, when opportunities arise (and they will), your name is already top of mind. I’ve seen professionals land interviews and offers within weeks by applying this approach. The key is to stop relying on online applications and start investing in the relationships that drive hiring decisions.

Two telecom operators are driving Qatar’s most strategic FinTech shift. While most conversations focus on digital banks and VC-backed apps, these operators are building licensed wallet platforms within the same regulatory environment, but pursuing very different expansion strategies. 1. Ooredoo Fintech (Ooredoo Money) by Ooredoo Qatar At Web Summit Qatar 2026, Ooredoo FinTech announced a strategic partnership with Western Union to provide Ooredoo Money customers with a broader range of options for sending and receiving money. This strengthens its position in one of Qatar’s most important financial segments: remittances. Strategic Direction: • Embedding Western Union’s global network (200+ countries and territories) directly into its wallet • Expanding both send and receive corridors • Targeting Qatar’s expatriate population, where cross-border transfers are core financial behaviour • Moving toward becoming a cross-border payments platform Ooredoo FinTech is choosing speed and scale via partnerships. Instead of rebuilding global infrastructure, it is plugging into trusted international rails and focusing on access, convenience, and transaction frequency. 2. iPay Qatar by Vodafone Qatar Vodafone’s FinTech strategy for iPay takes a different path. At Web Summit Qatar 2026, Vodafone emphasized digital enablement, SME solutions, and ecosystem partnerships, signalling a commerce-driven expansion strategy. Strategic Direction: • Embedding within SME and merchant ecosystems • Positioning into a broader digital commerce stack • Aligning with enterprise enablement, not just consumer remittances • Building long-term infrastructure readiness under regulatory frameworks This is a long-term approach. If ecosystem depth compounds, it becomes a high-retention, enterprise-anchored platform play. Takeaway: What’s happening in Qatar is a preview of where telcos globally are heading: from connectivity providers → to regulated financial distribution platforms Telcos already have: - Massive user bases - Daily digital touchpoints - Deep KYC and compliance capabilities Do you think telco-led wallets will eventually outperform bank-led digital apps in emerging markets? Or will regulation keep them in supporting roles?

I have built models to raise billions of Naira but not a single one of those deals closed because of an Excel spreadsheet... I see so many people obsessing over mastering valuation models and financial modelling. Don't get me wrong those are the "entry stakes." You need them to stay in the game. But those skills alone won't get you the deal. As a matter of fact, I am highly skilled in financial modelling and valuation. I have built models used to raise billions of naira and millions in USD. I have also trained over 8,000 people in financial modelling and valuation. So if you are building a career in high finance or looking to transition into investment banking or deal advisory, I want to give you one piece of advice that will be worth more than any Excel certification: Invest in your relationships before you need them. Not when you have a deal on the table. Not when you are under pressure to close. Because your next deal, the one that changes your year, your career, your reputation is already sitting inside a relationship you currently have. The question is whether you have nurtured it enough for that person to think of you when the moment comes. "Your network is your net worth" is not a motivational quote. In high finance, it is a financial statement. The best deals don't come from databases. They come from relationships. I have seen it over and over again. The transaction that closes is rarely the one that came from a cold approach but rather from a quality relationship. Excel is important. Learn it. Financial modelling is important. Master it. Valuation is important. Sharpen it. The analyst who closes deals is not always the most technically gifted one in the room. It is the one who made the right people feel seen, valued, and remembered long before any deal was in sight. The deals you will close in December are the conversations you start this April. Don't take any connection for granted. Build your skills. Absolutely. But build your relationships like your career depends on it because in high finance it does. #LinkedInFamily #HighFinance #DealSourcing #InvestmentBanking #Relationships #AfricanFinance #SellSide #CareerGrowth #MATalentAfrica #AfricaRising