Professional networking: Turning colleagues into allies

If we engage in professional networking, we'll never feel isolated. Question is, how do you turn colleagues into allies?

Whilst at one of the monthly meeting groups I attend, I was looking across the eighty or so other coaches and it struck me how important it was for me as a solo operator to have this professional network. The other thing that struck me was how little I really use it for professional networking! And I also thought that was a bit dumb since relationships are supposed to be my thing.

I thought to myself that just because I am in business by myself, for myself, I don’t have to go it alone. In fact if I want to get anywhere with my business (or in any area of life for that matter), I need to utilize and leverage my relationships to achieve my goals.

A great business idea is only a great idea once you can engage other people to support it and generate some action. So here’s a little exercise to do to assess how good you are at professional networking and how well you are utilizing and leveraging your relationships.

Give your self a score out of 10 on how well you are achieving the following (10 is high, 1 is low):

Are you clear on who the people around you are that you need to help you achieve your business objectives? E.g. clients, business support, personal support, mentors or coaches
Are you clear on what, specifically, these people need to do to support you to achieve your business objectives?
Do these people know this?
Finally, do these people have all the required resources (information, time, language and motivation) to support you to achieve your business objectives?

Your scores will make you aware of the gaps you need to fill; while an 8 out of 10 is a great score, 2 out of 10 highlights the areas you need to work on.

Something the presenter said at the meeting rings true here “Work in your strengths and work on your weaknesses” Made sense to me. Anyway, after last night’s meeting I’m off to rev up some key people to help me reach my objectives. What relationship are you going to work on?

John Raymond is a coach and trainer who helps people manage people. His aim is that his work will help you to love your work and those important people around you will love the way you work too.

5 comments | Add your own

I totally agree. I get so much from my 'networks', the benefits gained from a group of like-minded biz owners is wonderful! Steve Davies from Melbourne, Australia
I now set myself a goal of always talking with at least two people a week within my sphere, that are not just related to immediate work. Sure we talk shop, but I am continually expanding my thinking outside current commitments so that I can stay in tune to new or upcoming opportunities. I also find that as a soloist it is easy for me to strike up new friendships or associations. Because of the solo-nature of my work, I actually crave wanting to meet new people. It is even better when work flows from these associations. Mike Williams from Melbourne, Aust
Hey John,
This is timely information. We had a mini workshop in our BNI meeting last week on how to maximise your relationships with clients. The most important point (after providing the best possible service of course) was making sure they knew exactly what sort of clients you were after, and exactly what sort of problems you solve. Then it's just a matter of asking for referrals. The same process would apply to professional contacts and colleagues. Megan Tough from Sydney
Hi John, I have a small network of associates that I think of as partners (a few are even on my website) and although we're all solo, we're there to help each other. It means complete freedom, with a team of business friends who are always ready to help each other. Grant Hyman from Berowra, New South Wales
thanks for commenting on my article.
I think one of things I love about delving into my network is that you never really know what you are going to find - it's like Alice diving into the rabbit hole.
I've had another week of spending time with a completely different network that has paved new thinking, new possibilities and new opportunites - AGAIN! The choice / challenge now is choosing and activating the opportunity that best aligns to my purpose? John Raymond from Sydney | Read my articles

5 comments | Add your own

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