THE VALUE OF NETWORKING

Professional Development
 LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this lesson the learner should be able to:
• Appreciate the value of networking in planning their career
• Create new friends and contacts and establish a long-lasting
relationship with them
• Form excellent character traits such as integrity, honesty,
politeness, and more
 Building sustainable
relationship are one of the most
valuable skills you can develop. It is
not just some contacts you have but
how to establish a strong connection
to other people and the importance of
a good reputation over time.
 Your network includes everyone
from your relative, friends, work colleagues,
business connections, church members, and
members of the group in which you belong.
They can serve as young valuable assets at
every phase of your pursuit. Your connections
can help you assess your skills and interests,
they will become your mentors and be able to
help you assess your skills and interests, they
will become your mentors and able to help
you out to explore deeply about the industry
you belong, they can assist you when
challenges arise, they would open the door of
many opportunities.
THREE WAYS TO BUILD NETWORKING
1. Operational networking
This involves building relationship with
people you encounter in a business
operation such as suppliers,
customers, guests, colleagues, board
members, regulators
STRATEGY: BUILD STRONG CONNECTION THROUGH TRUST
& INTEGRITY
2. Personal networking
These are set of individuals outside
your organization who can help you
with personal advancement and able
to support you when rough times
come. Your friends, relatives, friends
of friends can provide you valuable
resources, and access to the right
resources
STRATEGY: PARTICIPATE IN PROFESSIONAL
ORGANIZATIONS, PARTICIPATE IN ALUMNI GROUPS,
PARTICIPATE IN PERSONAL INTEREST GROUP
3. Strategic networking
These are people outside your control who
will help to reach the key organizational
objectives
STRATEGY: IDENTIFY LATERAL AND VERTICAL
RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER BUSINESS UNIT MANAGERS
 BENEFITS OF NETWORKING
• Builds lasting relationship
• Finds new connection
• Nurtures mentors
• Broadens thinking and brightens new idea
• Best way to find the best suppliers and builds business partner
• Increases visibility for bigger opportunities
11 STEPS TO STRENGTHEN YOUR NETWORK
Step One
• Begin with you
• Ask yourself what is your purpose?
• Do you have a career or establishing
career
• How many people do you know that can
help you identify your strengths?
• Research information about the line of
work you are pursuing
Step Two
Start building your network by listing your
existing contacts such as:
• Family & their friends
• Friends & their family
• Professors, advisers, coaches
• Former or present work colleagues
• Professionals
Step Three
• Have your tools with you all the time
such as business cards, brochures,
resumes
• Provides information about yourself
• It provides information right away
Step Four
• Be at the right place, and at the
right time
• Called “managing your luck”
• Always prepare your elevator
speech
• Be mindful of your “magic moment”
Step Five
• Act like a host not like a guest
• Mingle with other people, make
them feel welcome
• Introduce people you know to other
people
• Basically talk to other people
Step Six
Show interest to someone who shares
ideas, listen, and ask questions.
Remember a good networker has two
ears and one mouth
Step Seven
Expanding your network by asking for
referrals to other contacts. Be specific,
for example, “can you suggest anyone
from the hotel industry or any related
field in hospitality whom I should
contact? May I use your name as my
referral source?
Step Eight
Volunteering your time and skills to
individuals or organizations actively
working in the industry of your choice.
Be clear and concise when you wish to
offer your services
Step Nine
After meeting, send a thank-you note
immediately, and keep the person
informed of your progress. Make sure
that you continue to communicate and
stay connected
Step Ten
Establish a relationship of trust that
may last a long time
Step Eleven
Follow up! This is the most important
part of networking. Ask for permission
to call or e-mail or send information