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When it comes to networking, many people tend to focus on building their relationships with external contacts. While this is often valuable, building a robust internal network is equally important. It can help you get things done when you need additional input, build your personal brand and reputation within your organization and provide you with an effective support system when you need advice and guidance. These top tips will help you hone your approach to internal networking.
Plan Ahead
As with external networking, it is important to adopt a targeted approach to your internal networking efforts. Think about your objectives for building an internal network: perhaps you are seeking to grow your career within the organization or build relationships with other managers or leaders who could advise, or even mentor you. With your objectives in mind, consider who in your organization you should start building relationships with, and how you could go about doing this.
Find Effective Networkers
It is a good idea to build relationships with people who you know to be effective internal networkers, as they may be able to provide you with advice and guidance. If you are already aware of such individuals within your team or organization, why not start by inviting them for an informal meeting and asking for some initial hints and tips on internal networking? They might even be able to introduce you to the people you want to meet.
Get Involved
Contributing to cross-functional or organization-wide projects and initiatives is not only good for your development; it can be a great way of growing your network. This type of work is likely to expose you to a range of people with whom you would not otherwise have a chance to work, so it’s a good idea to get involved when the opportunity arises. There may be ongoing projects or initiatives that tie in to your interests (e.g. CSR, Health and Wellbeing), but if you’re unsure where to start, your line manager should be able to point you in the right direction. In addition, taking part in company-wide roadshows or presentations, training events and seminars or special interest groups can also expose you to people with whom you would not normally work.
Join In
Taking part in work-based social events and extra-curricular activities (e.g. charity projects and challenges) can be a good way of raising your profile and building your network in a less formal context. When such events arise, it is a good idea to find out who else is taking part and identify which individuals you should seek out on the day. This will help you to ensure your participation has a positive impact on your internal networking efforts, as well as giving you the opportunity to interact with others on a less formal basis.
Make New Connections
It is important to ensure that your internal network continues to grow, even if you already have a number of robust connections within your organization. If you are concerned that your network has become static, why not set yourself a personal target for making new connections (e.g. two new contacts per month)? Of course, once you have done this, it is important to invest some time in building these relationships, as well as continuing to forge new ones with relevant individuals in your organization.
Reach out to Others
One of the best ways to forge new relationships is simply to get in touch with the relevant individuals. If you learn that someone you have been trying to connect with has been promoted or has achieved something significant, sending them a brief message of congratulations can be an effective – and flattering – way of reaching out to them. Internal communications such as e-bulletins and newsletters can be a good source of information regarding people’s achievements and activities.
If you are aware that someone is an expert in an area you want to know more about, why not send them an email, give them a call, or even approach them at their desk to ask for their advice? Professional networking sites such as LinkedIn can also help you to connect with subject-matter experts and other relevant individuals in your organization. These sites can be particularly useful if you are trying to make contact with colleagues based in other locations.
Focus on Diversity, Not Size
Although it is good practice to continue making new connections, your focus should be on building a diverse contact base, as opposed to a large one. For your internal network to have maximum impact, it should include a variety of people with different skills, qualities and experiences. Having a diverse network will help to ensure you have access to a range of support, guidance and input when you need it.
Use Your Network Appropriately
Once established, your internal network can be a helpful source of support, but be careful not to rely on it too heavily or to ask people for an unreasonable amount of their time. You should aim to add value to your internal network, as well as derive value from it; if someone helps you, you should always try to reciprocate. Offering unsolicited help is not only good practice - it can also be a highly effective way of establishing your value as a member of other people’s networks. Depending on your contacts and their needs, this could involve introducing relevant individuals to one another, inviting others to join a special interest group or get involved with a project, or simply sharing your advice and expertise on internal networking.
