You’re seeking career growth. What executive networking tools can help you get there?

Like anything that you want to achieve, networking should also have a clearly defined goals. Once you have clarity on your goals, identify relevant people, try to find common interest aligned to your networking goals and build a mutual relationship. Do not only think about your goals only but try to reciprocate and be mindful of the goals and interests of the person you’re networking with. In the process keep working on building your personal brand aligned to your skills, experience, values and aspirations

Your ultimate goal is to grow your network and for this 2 things are most important. Visibility and Consistency. You can break down your goals and go step by step or you can do all once and do it as it feels best to you.

Believe in yourself. Networking and obtaining relevant education and certifications will do nothing for you unless you have an unwavering belief in your abilities. I have met people who suffer from imposter syndrome, which can paralyze career aspirations. Therefore, before setting any goals, networking, or creating the best resume, it's crucial to place a belief in yourself in your heart. Once you have that belief, you can achieve anything you desire.

Before defining the objectives, I recommend focusing well on the purpose. activating a network of relationships solely for the purpose of achieving one's objectives becomes very difficult if one does not first become aware of the value of the relationship itself. supporting a network of relationships based on reciprocity generates value and is generative for everyone. thinking of building a network only for one's own objectives makes the relationship process ineffective

1. Ármate tu agenda con tus contactos actuales 2. Asiste a eventos relacionados a tu área, fija tu objetivo (crecer tu networking, clientes, proveedores) 4. Cuida tu imagen personal (como quieres lucir ante el mundo, desde tu linkedin, entrevistas, foros, muéstrate dispuesto a abrir nuevas oportunidades)

Don’t wait until you’re miserable in your current job to begin positioning yourself for the next. A hard fact in business is that you are dispensable and, therefore, you always need to be networking and building your future teams. One of the best ways to network is to build a ton of goodwill, and that means be a giver to anyone who asks a favor. Inevitably those end up being the cousin of, student of, next leader of…. Your next future boss.

Linkedin is perfect to start with and to expand your network. If you are good in speaking or want to learn it, you can seek for guest speaking at conferences and through this open up opportunities to network.

In the 'Networking and Communication' section: Importance of Online Platforms for Executive Networking: - Connect with a diverse audience globally. - Showcase achievements and expertise. - Stay informed on trends and opportunities. Key Platforms: - LinkedIn: Professional networking, profile creation, content sharing. - Twitter: Engage with thought leaders, share insights. - Clubhouse: Host or join live audio conversations. Vital for executives to maintain visibility and connections in the digital age.

each platform has its own language. understand it. uses an open, generous and exchange-oriented way of relating. post quality content that is not just sales proposals but generates value through what you write by describing areas in which you are an expert or telling interesting points of view. stimulates dialogue and interaction

Sin dudas Linkedin es punto central para contactar referentes del mercado, considera que actualmente alrededor de 900 millones de personas están en Linkedin, como también 58 millones de empresas. Como referentes y mentores, te recomiendo Favikon.com donde podés encontrar las personas más influyentes y sus redes. Y por otro lado los mentores y profesores de Linkedin e-learning dado que la prueba de conocimiento es más bien práctica a través de sus aprendizajes.

It takes time, genuine conversations and continuous efforts to seek help for our own career growth. While events be it online or offline are good starting point, we should be mindful not to jump to our own agenda too quickly too early. There is always something we can learn from each other and hence not to just focus on senior executives judging by age. Find relevance and be aware of others’ needs and motivation in any attempt to seek a follow up meeting too as we certainly want it to be win win.

Yes, you should attend events but the interactions there are typically brief and superficial. Stick around or arrange for additional meetup post events. Nothing beats 1:1 coffee chats/ drinks with people. I always go in with a learning mindset. Does not matter who it is. You can learn something from them from the way they convey who they are as a person to the message delivery. I have learned way more from just talking to people post events than the event itself.

Go outside of your industry and commit to attend one innovative, thought-led global event (like TED Conference, Innovation summits) where it pushes you far outside of your comfort zone. People will once again meet you on a human-to-human level rather than at job title level. You'll shift from a big fish in a small pond to a tiny fish in an ocean of innovation and unknowing. Yes, it may cause discomfort to even the most confident of leaders but if go into it with curiosity and lead with who you are and what you care about, rather than what you do, you'll form diverse and fascinating human connections. When you get back to the comfort of your day to day, you won't be able to unhear, unsee or unexperience any of it and you'll thank yourself!

Participation in person is very important to get to know them face to face. you are open to getting to know the other with curiosity. don't just talk about yourself and what you can do, listen and converse. Before being a professional you are a human being who loves being in relationships with others. meet the people behind the roles without being invasive but not too distant either. be prepared to talk about what you do in a concise way and possibly trying to make connections with the conversation you are having. don't use slogans, live in the present moment and try to understand moment by moment what can be useful to tell for the other. collect contacts and then later you can follow up for further information.

There is nothing more Powerful in my experience than a Peer Group. Simply being in a room (whether in person or in a zoom room) with other people who simply “Get it” and have been there and done that is the most liberating feeling. Iron sharpens iron so surrounding yourself with other powerhouses who encourage you to level up your skills is a win win for everyone.

For your association involvement, use ChatGPT to get up to speed on the latest industry trends. This can help your online discussions and prepare you with small talk topics for in-person meetings.

In certain sectors, there's a noticeable gap in mentoring. Effective mentoring can significantly impact the growth of young talent in this field. It is crucial for young talents, unlocking opportunities and fostering essential relationships for career progression. Mentoring is more than guidance; it's a gateway to executive networking and opening career doors. It also accelerates professional growth, offering insights into strategic career moves. It's a tool for skill development, tailored to sectorial challenges. Mentors provide invaluable connections, offering entry into influential networks. They help navigate the sector, identifying and opening the right doors.

it's also vital to consider the compatibility of values and vision with your mentor. Seek mentors who not only have the experience but also share your core values and long-term vision. This alignment ensures more than just guidance; it fosters a deeper, more meaningful professional relationship that is mutually beneficial. Additionally, don't limit yourself to one mentor. Different mentors can provide diverse perspectives and insights, enriching your understanding and approach to various challenges and opportunities in your career.

Finding a mentor is crucial to build your professional network and to become a better individual both professionally and personally. In my view, alignment of the vision of mentor and mentee is critical for the success of mentor and mentee relationship. Be clear and transparent with your mentor and resonate with his/her thinking. One you find your mentor try to work in tandem with him/her and ensure that you are proactive on the things discussed and advised by the mentor.

If you don't have a mentor - find one! It was one of the most important and impactful steps I took in my career. I actually did a post about this a few months ago which I'll included in a post under this one. In short, my advice on finding a mentor is to go to someone you know and have an established personal relationship with. Mentorship is deeply personal and aside from needing to be sure you are aligned with your Mentor's values and approach to business, you will get more time from someone who already knows and loves you! And don't overthink it.. ask yourself "who is a person I know well who I'd love to have as a mentor?". The first person whose name pops up is who you should ask... follow your gut!

I find that the cliche is very true - the more we give, the more we receive. That has been my experience. As I put myself out there to support or mentor or coach a team member, a junior or a friend, doors and opportunities open up in ways I would not have been able to dream of. Supporting and mentoring others also help us to learn from the other’s person’s journey and challenges, and as we work through the solutions with them, we inevitably will start applying the same approach towards our own journeys too.

Measurable mentors defines career goals by meeting tangible aspirations ... often a time - Mentors lack emotional interface by wearing ego-shades of superiority ... Mentors don't define by choice or options- it defines by seeing things with simplicity, - not merge with complexity...!

Generosity aligns with the principle of reciprocity… it’s like a magic penny; the more we give it, the more it comes back to us. By being generous with what we have (and we all have something of value to share), it is more likely that others will reciprocate and support us with opportunities and referrals to help us grow our careers.

Generosity is not a game of ‘if this then that’ and you are unlikely to see direct results in the short term, but it’s likely that over time you will become aware of the subtle ripple effects of your generosity, such as I have seen in engagement, commitment, personal development and growth. Choose one way in which you want to be a more generous professional in 2024 and consciously check yourself when you know you are holding back – and ask yourself why? Regularly reflect on the personal impact of being more generous by asking yourself how does this way of being make you feel? And reflect on the impact on those around you - but don’t expect them to thank you outright because that's not how it works. Generosity is powerful.

creates value through relationships, brings content and points of view with generosity. Give what you know and yourself through willingness to discuss without creating barriers. allow others to get to know you as a person too

Beyond the current suggestions, consider the power of storytelling in your networking efforts. Sharing personal experiences, challenges overcome, and lessons learned can be incredibly powerful. These narratives create emotional connections and make you more relatable and memorable in the eyes of your peers. Additionally, always be adaptable in your networking approach. The business world is dynamic, and being flexible in how you connect and interact with others can open up new avenues for collaboration and growth that you might not have considered before.