The Power of Networks

Any networks, whether formal, informal, professional or casual are critical when it comes to supporting and guiding your career development.

Your networks can provide a great deal of information that can’t be accessed elsewhere, as well as hands-on experience together with introductions to businesses and organisations and people that can support you and your career.

My professional practice relies heavily on these networks, some of which have been developed over many years and some of which are new to me, such as those in education.

All networks take time and effort to develop and nurture and you have to give, as well as take, when operating within them. This means being prepared to go the extra mile when asked for advice and support, without gaining anything at that point.

All networks rely on the collective knowledge, wisdom and experience of their members and successful networks thrive and survive when everyone works together to develop this collective knowledge and experience.

Networks can be:

online – in the form of webinars, forums, social networks such as LinkedIn
Informal – ad hoc conversations and meetings
Formal – with regular meetings, whether online or face to face
Professional – part of the trade association or a membership organisation
Casual – a collection of local or sector contacts

I belong to and utilise all of these types of networks and have done for many years, whilst continually looking for, and being invited to, other networks that will enhance my practice and my career.

Purpose of Networks

The main purpose of all networks is to provide information, advice and support to members whilst developing and enhancing the common aims of the network and the members. This is particularly true in the case of formal networks that cater for trade associations, business or industry sectors, professional bodies or career pathways.

However, it can also be said of informal and casual networks where the purpose is to help each other, rather than an overall society or body.

Formal and professional networks are characterised by their structure and membership joining criteria, whether by invitation or application and the select (or otherwise) nature of the members themselves.

Informal and casual are more characterised by their relaxed nature and ad hoc, infrequent meeting structure.

In all cases though the network will give a sense of belonging and if professional, an educational and development purpose as well.

Your Networks

Could include within your business and employer:

Departmental team – your colleagues and boss
Management team and senior leadership team
Leadership team of suppliers, clients, local competitors

Within your wider professional circle you will belong to a number of professional, formal, informal and casual networks such as:

Your industry or sector Institution. For example I belong to the Career Development Institute who provide online resources and webinars as well as organising networking events
Local Business Organisations who put on networking events and seminars where it is possible to network with local businesses and presenters and speakers. I usually attend around five of these type of events a year locally- most of these have 100 plus delegates from across the local business scene. I always try to connect with the speakers afterwards by LinkedIn.
Institute of Directors who organise local and national networking events and provide research facilities. Events are both face to face and online. Some of the delegates I have formed business relationships with which continue outside of the events.
Regional networking events organized by various industry bodies and government bodies
Private networking clubs you can become a member of
The local and regional Chambers and business and enterprise departments of the Councils. Some of these I know from previous meetings and also from events organised by them.
The local LEP such as the Worcestershire LEP who work alongside Business Worcestershire and other local groups organising events and seminars.
Local, regional and national casual networks of business people and sector specific business contacts you have developed working relationships with over the years.
Local business friends and acquaintances you have developed relationships with over the years
The local and national community of the sports, hobbies and interests you are involved in
The local church community
LinkedIn and Facebook groups, which can provide access to a wide range of sector specific knowledge and experience through its members. Examples include the HR forums and groups, Career Coaching forums and groups, sector specific groups such as Energy from Waste, Musicians, Robotics...

All of these you can call on for advice in order to support your career or provide introductions to contacts that may be in your sector or area of interest.

You know more people than you think!

Download our Ultimate Guide to Networking

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