What is networking? #smartbusiness #beprofessional #networkingtips | Athina Iliadis posted on the topic | LinkedIn (2024)

Networking makes a big difference!I just connected with a good friend of mine who's leaving the state to further his careerWe chose this cool pizza spot we used to go to oftenI meet him inside and he's IMMEDIATELY greeted by the waitress We get seated and IMMEDIATELY, he's greeted by another worker!We get to catching upI learn that last weekendAll the places he went to had someone he knewHe had a highly-eventful nightall for FREE!!!We finish up and greet TWO OTHER WORKERSLong story short:This guy is a MASTER of networking and connecting.Anywhere he goes, he'll connect with at least two people,Exchanging socials and all.And evidently, it works for him.Take Away from this interaction:There's a quote I've heard that perfectly encapsulates this."Everyone is worth a cup of coffee"He takes every opportunity to make connections.It starts with one,Talk to one person every day,Send one DMMake one Connection,Because before you know itYou'll see howNetworking makes a BIG DIFFERENCE!....I plan to help people build their brands in authenticity through strategy, consistency, and creativity!#motivation #reflection #perspective #authenticity #creativity #brandawareness #Networking #Connection

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Ever triednottalking business when you’re networking?Seriously, next time you connect with someone, skip the usual “So, what do you do?” and go for something totally random like:👉 “What’s your go-to pizza topping?” 👉 “Are you more of a dog or cat person?” 👉 “What’s the best show you’ve binged lately?”You’d be surprised how quickly you break the ice when you keep it light and human. And let’s be honest—who doesn’t love a good debate about pineapple on pizza? 🍍🍕Networking doesn’t have to be stiff or formal. Sometimes, the best connections come from the most random conversations.What’s the weirdest way you’ve broken the ice with someone?#Networking #keepitReal #unconventionalTips #businessbutFun

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What tips do you have for building and maintaining professional relationships? ✏️1. Communication Comedy 📢: Get ready to talk the talk and walk the walk! 🚶♂️ Chat like a champ, banter like a boss, and let your words do the funky chicken dance of clarity! 🐔 Don't worry, we'll leave the jargon at the door! 🚪2. Networking Nonsense 🌟: It's time to mingle and giggle! 🤣 Attend those events, join those groups, and dive into the sea of awkward icebreakers like a pro! 🥶 Let's turn those networking nightmares into networking nirvana! 🌴3. Follow-Up Fiasco 💌: Keep the party train chugging along with follow-ups! 🚂 Send those thank-you emails, connect on LinkedIn, and schedule those virtual coffee dates faster than a squirrel on a caffeine high! ☕️4. eliability Rodeo 🤝: Be the reliability rockstar! ⭐️ Show up, deliver the goods, and let your consistency shine brighter than a disco ball in a power outage! 💡5. Spread the Love, Spread the Laughs ❤️: Shower your professional peeps with appreciation and laughter! 🌟 Say 'thank you,' give virtual high-fives, and sprinkle compliments like glitter on a craft project! ✨ Let's create a laughter avalanche that never stops rolling! 🤣6. Stay True, Stay Silly 💫: Be the authentic, fabulous you! 💁♀️ Let your personality sparkle and shine like a disco ball at a karaoke party! 🎤 Authenticity is your secret sauce, so pour it on thick! 🍔7. Proactive Pranks 🚀: Take the lead and make those power moves! 💥 Be the superhero of support, the guru of goofiness, and the champion of collaboration! ⚡️ Let's create chaos... I mean, magic together! ✨8. Respect the Funky Beat 💃: Respect the boundaries and keep the dance floor funky fresh! 🕺 Be mindful of others' time and space, and groove to the rhythm of mutual respect like nobody's watching! 🎵9. Stay Connected, Stay Comical 📲: Keep those connections alive and kicking! 💥 Share updates, drop those emojis, and keep the conversation rolling like a bowling ball in a bumper lane! 🎳10. Conflicts? Bring 'em on! 🤝: Handle conflicts with style and humor! 💫 Approach them with open hearts and a sense of humor, and let's disco our way to resolution! 💃 Conflict resolution is just another wacky adventure on this rollercoaster of professional relationships! 🎢Let's turn building and maintaining professional relationships into the ultimate comedy show of success and connection! 🎉✨#networkingninja #relationshipgoals #communicationiskey #professionalgrowth #teamworkmakesthedreamwork #careerconnections #buildingbridges #collaborationnation #BusinessBuddies #mentorshipmatters #workhardplayharder #gratitudeattitude #trusttheprocess #SuccessSquad #communityovercompetition #supportsystem #lifteachotherup #PositivelyProfessional #FriendshipInBusiness #ProfessionalPoliteness #riseandthrive #teambuilding #growtogether #unityindiversity #workplacewellness #celebratesuccess #embracechange #NetworkingNoir #kindnesscounts #positivevibesonly

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What's beyond the usual 'connect-and-forget' networking? Let me share a little secret...(And it's not about "swapping business cards" 😅)It's about those moments that don't scream 'networking' but end up opening doors you never knew existed. Like the time I had a casual online chat with a fellow marketer. No agenda whatsoever–› Just two "professionals" sharing stories.Fast forward six months, and there it was – a partnership opportunity that transformed my agency.Here's the catch ↓ Networking isn't a sprint to collect contacts……it's a marathon where relationships are the real trophies. It’s about that genuine connection, the kind where you're not eyeing immediate gains but building a °foundation°.Actually think about it...When was the last time you had a (genuine) conversation that wasn’t a sales pitch in disguise?Or added someone on LinkedIn not to sell but to learn and grow together?The magic happens in these genuine interactions. When you shift from 'What can I get?' to 'What can we share?' → the game changes.Authenticity breeds opportunities, often in the most unexpected ways.So, here's my take:Ditch the transactional mindset. Embrace authentic connections. You’ll be surprised by the doors that open when you least expect them to.Now, tell me...What’s your most memorable outcome from genuine networking? I'm all ears. 👂#Networking #RelationshipBuilding #AuthenticConnections♻️ P.S. If you found this post enlightening, don’t forget to reshare with your community.

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Stop Faking It - The Real Secret to Successful Networking is Building Genuine ConnectionsBut many people miss the mark by:▪ Imitating others instead of being yourself▪ Forcing connections that don’t feel natural▪ Following outdated networking tacticsI’ve seen this all too often. I call it the ‘Authenticity Abyss’The more we try to conform to others’ methods, the more awkward we feel and the less genuine our connections become. It’s a never-ending loop that doesn’t help anyone.So, wondering what’s the real approach?Don’t worry! As always, I’m here to offer solutions, not just highlight the problem.▪ Facilitate Genuine Conversations↳ Introduce people with common interests and mutual goals↳ Encourage others to share their story and do the same▪ Create Meaningful Interactions↳ Foster real engagement by connecting on shared interests (such as what drew each of you to the event)↳ Support others by actively listening, asking questions and offering valuable insights where appropriate▪ Be Yourself↳ Show your best true self in every interaction (note: true self doesn’t mean you need to air your faults to everyone)↳ Let your passion for connecting with others shine through (Does “passion” feel like a stretch for you? Try this… in nearly everyone you meet, you can find something you appreciate about having met them.)Please remember: Authentic networking is about forging deep and meaningful connections and not merely mirroring or conforming to a template, okay?- Teresa#networking #authenticconnections #professionalnetworking #buildrelationships #networkingtips #connectwithpurpose #relationshipbuilding #communitybuilding #professionaldevelopment #teresathomas

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As someone who's often mistaken for an extrovert because I enjoy attending industry events and conferences, I've learned a valuable lesson: Your personality type has little to do with you being an effective networker.To back it up, Devora Zack’s book "Networking for People Who Hate Networking" has shown me that introverts and ambiverts can be just as successful at building meaningful connections.I recently put this into practice at an event I had to mandatorily attend, but was nervous about networking. (Usually this happens especially when i have to attend with new faces).However, the anxiety was gone when I recognized the host. I had been following her journey, work, and was overly impressed by her accomplishments.When I met her in person, I was able to start a conversation by referencing a specific project she had worked on and sharing how it had impacted me.This led to a meaningful discussion and a valuable connection. It was not about trying to collect business cards or make small talk; it was about showing genuine interest and building a relationship. While sharing a specific experience. Here are a few takeaways that have helped me:- Focus on quality over quantity: Instead of trying to collect business cards, aim for 2-3 meaningful conversations that can lead to real connections.- Listen more than you talk: I have learned to lean into my natural listening skills to build deeper relationships.- Take breaks to recharge: It's okay to step outside for some fresh air or excuse yourself to grab a drink – your energy levels will thank you!Being an introvert or ambivert is the superpower when networking and that can allow you to make a bigger impact in your industry! #networking #industryevents #communication #communitybuilding

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# Embracing the Power of Networking: My Journey BeginsI recently watched a video by Avni Barman that sparked a revelation. She shared how reaching out to just two people daily with thoughtful messages led to amazing opportunities. It took me back to my days at Les Roches, where the mantra of networking's importance was constant.I've decided to embark on my networking challenge.Yesterday, I took the plunge and sent out my first few messages. (If you're in my network and receive an unexpected note, now you know why! 😉)Today, I'm diving deeper. While practice is key, I'm also arming myself with knowledge. I've been poring over comprehensive guides on effective networking, and here's what I've learned so far:1. Authenticity is key - genuine connections trump quantity.2. Research before reaching out - personalize your approach.3. Offer value - think about how you can help them too.4. Follow up thoughtfully - building relationships takes time.5. Be consistent - make networking a daily habit.I'm excited to put these insights into practice and see where this journey takes me. Have you had any surprising successes from cold outreach? I'd love to hear your stories and tips!#Networking #CareerGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment #HospitalityIndustry

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Operator, can I get a real connection, please?Networking, often considered an art, is undeniably essential for success. How many of your connections or social media friends do you truly interact with? How many make you smile or make an effort to listen? Let's ponder: Can we reciprocate the same effort for relationships by creating value where we receive happiness in return? #Friends #Networking #Connection #RelationshipBuilding #Workaholism

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What would it look like if we approached networking the same way we approached friendship? 🧐The biggest problem with classic “networking” is that people go into it trying to find that magical person who can answer their specific ask. It’s time-constrained, laser-focused, and the conversation never extends beyond work 👩🏻💻The thing is, this kind of networking doesn’t last — because you’re not really connecting as humans. What does it look like to actually connect? Here’s one way:Meet the Think & Drink. Every few months, my house gathers together 16 friends (and friends of friends) who are down to meet new cool people. The night of, we choose 8 people to give a 3 minute talk about an unknown prompt.This week, the prompt was “A lesson you learned the hard way 😵”.People could have done the classic networking thing where they talked about something from their professional life, but instead, the group presented about a whole variety of topics — from lactose intolerance and dating, to how to talk to people, to how to survive in the wilderness. Some were funny. Others were vulnerable. All of them were super real.It wasn’t supposed to be a networking event, and yet it was actually a really good one because we went beyond "networking". We were building FRIENDSHIPS. And that I think is a much stronger foundation to build from than a career-specific happy hour could ever provide.#networkingtips #communitybuilding

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'Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get'.Derbyshire Business Networking is all about diversity – meeting people from different backgrounds, industries, and experiences. Just like a box of chocolates offers a variety of flavours, networking exposes you to a diverse range of perspectives and opportunities.We also get an eclectic mix of speakers and attendees. So tomorrow we have Mark Saxby, Social Media Consultant, who will be discussing 'How to Get Results from Social Media - Without it Taking Over Your Life' - Mark will give us some great strategies on how to improve our social media, without having to spend too much time on it.We have 40 people signed up for tomorrow, but there is still too to come along (and if you are a first timer, it's free!) Link: https://lnkd.in/ecJHia26Then there's Dave James, Life Coach, Stand Up Comedian and Chief Hug Officer on March the 14th, now he is is very different! And he will be talking about 'How to be a Happy Human', discussing the five pillars he uses to work with his clients to help move them in that universally desirable direction.Link: https://lnkd.in/eQUHHXcgAnd then in our box of chocolates is Heather McLellan✨, Mentor, Consultant and Investor, who will be delivering an engaging session around managing health and business.Link: https://lnkd.in/etbupr-HAnd just as every chocolate in the box is waiting to be savoured, every networking connection holds the potential for collaboration, mentorship, or even friendship. Approach each interaction with curiosity and an open mind!I love networking and chocolate!#networking #businessnetworking #chocolate

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