Investing in Relationships: Networking ROI
Sometimes one random conversation changes everything. You meet someone, talk, and a couple of weeks later they introduce you to the right people.
Investing in Relationships: Networking ROI
Sometimes one random conversation changes everything. You meet someone, talk, and a couple of weeks later they introduce you to the right people. This happens more often than it seems. I myself have had several such stories when an acquaintance at an event later turned into work or a project.
**Statistics and Real Stories**
Many vacancies are closed through recommendations. Here's an example: my friend Sergey went to a marketing conference in Moscow. There he met Nikolai, with whom he studied at the same university. A couple of weeks later, Nikolai connected him with the HR director of a large IT company, and Sergey got the job. Such cases are not rare. People often find both clients and partners through personal connections.
Another case was with Andrey. He got into a startup as a co-founder after a conversation at an event in St. Petersburg. Instead of the usual exchange of contacts, he started with ordinary topics, sports, travel. They talked about Kamchatka, and in the end the investor decided to support his project. Sometimes it's enough to just talk normally.
**How to Increase ROI from Networking**
I've tested it on myself more than once: the money spent on a trip or participation pays off. Once I went to Kazan for a business forum, spent about 15 thousand. I returned with three contacts, one of which brought an order more than ten times.
What helps:
Preparation: look in advance who will be there. Browse profiles, find common topics. This immediately relieves tension at the beginning of the conversation.
Talk about your affairs without embarrassment: people remember better those who talk to the point and with interest. A dry list of achievements works worse.
Don't disappear after the meeting: write in a day or two. Mention something from the conversation so that the person understands that you weren't just checking a box.
**Networking for the Long Term**
The most effective connections are usually not from the first meeting. Anna corresponded with a former colleague for several years, congratulated on holidays, sometimes sent interesting articles. When she opened her own business, he became her first client and helped her reach other people.
What I myself try to do:
- Regularity: I go to one or two events a month. More, and you get tired and the quality drops.
- Diversity: I don't stay only in my industry. Sometimes the most unexpected acquaintances give interesting projects.
- Personal brand: I sometimes write on social networks, sharing what is really useful. People start to perceive you as an expert, even if they don't know you personally.
Networking is just the habit of constantly maintaining contact with people who interest you. It is not necessary to build a strategy for years ahead from this. It is enough not to lose contacts and sometimes help others. Then they will help you when needed.
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