As per the popular contemporary notion, networking is essential to your career, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be a crowded event. Contrary to what the media portrays, networking is also possible with minimal effort. However, if you’re wondering whether it’s truly important or only a way to kill your time, here’s your answer. It can be both depending on who you are and what you are looking for.
Why is it Nasty?
Building a successful network requires the amount of hard work an average person may not be willing to put in. Taking time out of your days off and weekends only to attend a gathering of people you barely know is hardly a priority for anyone. This is where networking gets nasty.
Your communication skills, dressing sense, business cards and every little detail of your work is tested by those who may or may not even belong to the same industry. Getting through hours of long speeches to get to the point of it all is the part where networking does not seem all that interesting. Moreover, there’s no guarantee of you achieving anything at the end of it. You may have been too prepared or not prepared at all, or maybe your competitor completely nailed it. No matter what the reason, it’s not easy to get through these events without strong support, ample amount of preparation and, of course, motivation and energy.
Why is it Necessary?
This is where despite the hard work, the benefits of networking outweigh the costs. Beyond forming relationships and meeting mentors, networking is a way to polish your skillset and stay in the loop about what’s going on in the industry. Here are some benefits of networking.
It Helps You Get Noticed
Whether you’re seeking publicity for business or looking to boost your sales, networking can do wonders if done right. People are quick to notice services that standout in some way. Moreover, even if you didn’t achieve the target, there’s a high chance that you’ve been noticed more than you would’ve been otherwise.
It Improves Your Self-Confidence
Today, no business can survive without the right communication skills. You may have the best services to offer, but if your competitor is better at communicating, you’ll soon be left out of the league. Networking, therefore, does wonders to improve your self-confidence and allows you to gel in with high profile individuals. It helps you exchange ideas.
One of the key benefits of networking is that it allows you to gain wisdom you would’ve missed otherwise. Listening to other people and garnering ideas from here and there can be your road to success in the long run. The trade of ideas fostered in a networking event is unlike anything else, helping you instill the best practices to soothe your career.
In conclusion, whether you choose to network or not, it’s important to understand the requirements of your business. If it’s something you could gain from, there’s no reason you should miss out on it.