Developing Networking Goals

As an HR professional, I’m often asked about networking and how to approach it effectively. Networking is not just about meeting people—it’s a powerful tool for personal development, continuous learning, and fostering meaningful connections. When done thoughtfully, it opens doors to new opportunities and helps you grow both personally and professionally. Here are three essential tips for successful networking: 1. Be Intentional * Set clear goals: Are you looking for mentorship, exploring new industries, or expanding your support network? Focus on quality not quantity. * Do your homework: Research attendees or speakers in advance and prepare thoughtful questions or talking points to guide your conversations. 2. Lead with Value * Networking is about building relationships, not just seeking personal gain. Shift your focus to “How can I help?” * Look for opportunities to support others—whether by sharing insights, offering resources, or making introductions that could be beneficial. 3. Keep the Connection Alive * After an event or meeting, follow up with a personalized message that references your conversation. * Maintain the relationship by staying in touch over time—share articles, updates, or simply check in to show you value the connection. Conversation Starters Consider these to spark engaging conversations: * "What’s the most exciting part of your current role or project?" * "What inspired you to attend this event today?" * "What’s a professional trend or topic you’re really interested in right now?" And one last tip: Put your phone down! Being fully present shows respect and builds deeper connections. What are your go-to networking strategies? I’d love to hear your thoughts! #Networking #Development #GrowthMindset

TRUTH: “Networking” events give me the icks with a slice of anxiety. But as a marketer and entrepreneur, I have to be “on.” 😅 Even though I have a bold and intense personality, I actually lean introverted. I’m an ISFP, the adventurer, and an Enneagram 8, but still, I fall on the “I” side. And in a place like the DMV, where networking events are everywhere, it can be a little intimidating. But in my industry, meeting the right people is non-negotiable. That’s the key, though. The right people. My goal is never to meet everyone in the room. My goal is to walk away with three genuine connections. Here’s how I make that happen without the overwhelm: • Statement accessories as conversation starters. I always have something distinct—bright sunglasses, rings, or nails. If someone compliments them, we immediately have an easy conversation starter that isn’t the usual, “so what do you do?” Eww. • I avoid aggressive networking. I still remember being mid-conversation at an event when someone came up, interrupted, and forcefully inserted themselves. That approach is an instant turnoff. ❌ My method is to respect conversations, make introductions naturally, and build rapport before asking for anything. • I set a goal and an intention. I learned this approach from Adama Lorna, and it completely reframed how I network. Instead of just saying, I’ll meet three people, I set a specific intention: • One person who could be a potential hire • One person I’d genuinely like to be friends with • One person who could be a client or introduce me to an opportunity At my last conference, I followed this exact strategy, and it made networking feel purposeful instead of transactional. I also like to time my arrival. I don’t show up right when the event starts because I don’t want to be standing around awkwardly as things build up. I arrive about 30 minutes in, when the energy is already flowing, and I can take my time scoping out the room. This approach keeps networking from feeling like a forced performance. And as event season picks up, I’ll be outside, but always on my own terms. What’s your #networking style? Are you a meet everyone type or a quality over quantity type? Let’s discuss.

>>>Do you have a networking plan? A sponsor? I've always actively supported women in building their networks. I regularly push my close friends to build their networks. Unfortunately, we are far worse at building social capital than men. What is social capital? Put simply, a high level of social capital means having good relationships with many people and access to valuable and diverse resources. A good relationship denotes strong norms of trust and reciprocity. You could think of this as goodwill, favors, obligation, or solidarity. Women typically have narrow and deep networks, while men have broad and shallow networks. Broad networks help find and spread ideas, while narrow networks provide close support. High-achieving women often have both. Here are 8 strategies to honour March 8 and help women combine local contact with global reach in professional networking: 1️⃣  𝗕𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹 - instead of aiming for a vast network, focus on being strategic with a smaller group of people. 2️⃣ 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀 - determine what you want to achieve through networking 3️⃣ 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻 - map out how often you want to network and stick to your plan, balancing broadening your network and deepening existing relationships. 4️⃣ 𝗔𝘁����𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲��𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀: Meeting industry professionals at local events can help expand your professional network. Face-to-face interactions are invaluable. (We are running #LinkedInLocal on March 25! You're welcome to join us in person.) 5️⃣ 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀 - start with LinkedIn. Join an online community. 6️⃣ 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀 - Find sponsors in your location to gain face time and access to global high-status networks. 7️⃣ 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹𝘀 - volunteer for local events, shop at local markets, or participate in local groups or clubs to build bridges across cultures and languages. Everybody needs friends close by. 8️⃣ 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 -  provide assistance, share insights, and support your network. When I contact my female friends and acquaintances, I'm sad about how little progress they have made in a year. Why don't we prioritize networking? Time constraints, family obligations, and the mode of a single married parent are the top 3 reasons. That puts us at a disadvantage in accessing career advancement, mentorship, and professional support. I want to know your why? If you have the answers, tell us below.↓

Recently, I've had 40+ conversations with founders, investors, and partners - here's what I learned about building a powerful network. I remember attending a national training at KPMG with thousands of professionals from across the U.S. They asked each team: "What's the most valuable thing you'll get out of this event?" We submitted "Networking will be the most valuable thing we get out of this event." I was shocked when they called out our answer as the winner across all teams. It took me years to really understand this. When I launched Mighty Digits, my first 2 customers came from within my network, giving me freedom to build while securing income. Some of my largest customers came from relationships with VC firms who trusted us with their portfolio companies. As the saying goes: "It's not what you know, it's who you know." To me, it's both - but if I had to choose one, it would be the people in my network. A good network naturally raises your IQ and yields 10x dividends. ➡️ IDENTIFY WHO YOU WANT TO NETWORK WITH Everyone wants to connect with their ideal customer, but don't stop there. Connect with other service providers who serve your target audience but aren't competitive - alternate services or same service in different regions. My favorite people to connect with are investors, since there's strong correlation between investing in a company and wanting confident financial records. Start by making a list of the most ideal people to network with and work backwards. Avoid focusing only on customers to sell to. ➡️ HOW TO CONNECT WITH YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE "Ask for money and get advice, ask for advice, get money twice." Your goal with networking is NOT to sell anything. Your goal is to provide value and establish relationships. Sales come naturally as relationships are nurtured. Four ways to connect: — Reach out for warm intros through mutual connections — Send targeted cold emails that are relevant and personalized — Host events that allow them to expand their network too — Attend events and approach people in groups or standing alone ➡️ THE FOLLOW-UP FRAMEWORK This is the most important part. After connecting: — Send follow-up email with thanks and conversation recap — Find ways to offer value first - referrals, advice, resources — Keep in touch quarterly to see how you can be of service — Treat your A-list players with appreciation - gifts, meals, personal thanks === Networking is a long-term play. Relationships take time to build, and many may not go anywhere. But for those that do, you can build an entire business on them. What's been your experience with networking? Do you have any tips for building powerful relationships? Share your thoughts below 👇

Networking can feel like a daunting task, especially for us introverts (yes, I’m an introvert #iykyk). Walking into a crowded conference room can sometimes feel more overwhelming than energizing, right? Over the years, I've developed a simple yet powerful framework that helps me navigate these situations with intention and actually get the results I'm looking for. I call it the 3-2-1 Networking Framework. Here's how it works: 🎯 3 Strong Contacts: Instead of aiming to collect a stack of business cards you'll never follow up with, go into your event with the goal of making 3 meaningful connections that can genuinely help you achieve a specific goal. This focus allows you to be more present in conversations and truly remember who you've met. Quality over quantity, always! 🗣️ 2 Small Details: Beyond the business talk, make a conscious effort to remember at least 2 seemingly small, personal details about the people you connect with. Did they mention their child's name? Are they excited about an upcoming vacation? Did you both realize you're part of the same sorority? These personal touches create a stronger, more memorable connection. 💡 Pro-tip: Start with the name! This past week at IIEX, I had a few instances where people mistook me for another researcher. While she's fantastic, it highlighted the importance of truly seeing individuals past basic shared demographics. 📣 Another pro-tip (especially when connecting with Black women): Please remember something other than our hair. Our styles are diverse and can change frequently - at least mine does 🤣. Focusing solely on a hairstyle can lead to missed connections – let's move beyond superficial identifiers and get to the heart of the people. 🚀 1 Must-Do Goal: Walk into your networking event with at least 1 clear, actionable goal. Is it to identify potential business partners, find a new vendor, learn about a specific industry trend, or even land one new client? Having this singular focus will direct your conversations and make your time much more effective. You don't need a laundry list of objectives; sometimes, all it takes is one spark to ignite something bigger and better. This 3-2-1 framework has been a game-changer for me, allowing me to turn up the energy when needed, stay focused, and build authentic connections that truly matter. Give it a try at your next event and let me know how it works for you! #networking #introvert #connections #businesstips #IIEX

Why Networking Matters If you're a fractional, solo consultant, or an escapee from the corporate world, over 85% (if not more) of your business will come from networking and referrals Having a plan for these conversations is foundational for your success Here is a simple framework that I use to help my networking: The 4Cs Framework 1️⃣ Clarify Your Goal Define exactly what your goal is from the call to ensure a productive conversation and respect everyone's time. For existing connections, focus on deepening relationships or exploring new collaboration opportunities. 2️⃣ Connect Genuinely Start with common ground & show genuine interest to build a meaningful connection, and reference past conversations with existing contacts to show continuity. Networking is about relationships, not transactions—listen more than you pitch 3️⃣ Contribute Value Offer something useful—whether a perspective, resource, or introduction—to make the conversation balanced. Show you're a giver to build long-term relationships, and for current connections, check in on past topics to move things forward 4️⃣ Close with Follow-Up End each call with a clear next step—like a follow-up email or sending a resource—& ensure you follow through to stay memorable. For existing connections, set a plan for future follow-ups to keep the relationship growing Bonus Tips for Escapees -> Keep it brief -> Focus on listening -> Be a real person -> Follow up This is what has worked for me but I am always looking to improve I'd love to hear what works best for you