Networking - social contacts as business accelerators

A functioning network comprised of interpersonal relationships is often essential to professional success. A good network gives you an information advantage in decisive situations. But there are many other advantages to networking. What was previously scorned as vitamin B is today an important career factor. We have compiled the advantages that arise from a well-established social network.

Networking should primarily focus on giving. Be open and interested in getting to know new people and be ready to provide help. Professional information or a good tip, for example, boosts your image as a helpful contact. Leave out inappropriate private concerns and do not force your own interests into the fore. In a social network, it is also important to never take advantage of other people's habits or to create benefits for yourself at the expense of others.

Having a reliable supply of knowledge is essential to advancing your career. Whether dealing with an open position, a promotion opportunity, or a promising applicant: first come, first served. And the larger and more diverse your network is, the greater the chance is that you know someone sitting on the source of information.

Time is often the factor that makes a decisive difference in your professional life. A lot of time is lost in day-to-day life finding out who can actually provide missing information, who offers a reliable service, and so on. It is great if your own network can shorten the search. A specific question in the right place, and problems are efficiently solved.

A network of social contacts can be very helpful when looking for people who share your interests. Whether dealing with a change in your work situation or an innovative idea, many things are easier to achieve working together with others, and often new initiatives arise as a result.

One of the most important requirements is creating trusting relationships. Prove that you are a trustworthy contact in all areas of networking. When your know-how is needed, provide good tips based on sound information and make yourself available as a discreet contact partner. In return you will have a network of people from various fields that you can make use of. For many questions you will know who has proven themselves as a contact, who gets work done on time, who provides reliable information, and who can help you advance.

Being open and friendly is the basis for building up a network. Use the opportunities to get to know people - they may prove to be useful contacts in the near future. Taking on inconveniences and investing time is worthwhile for good, promising contacts. The big plus of networking: every new contact brings with them their own network that you can also make use of to quickly expand your own network. However, this does not just involve making contacts, but also maintaining them so that they are always around.