Are you struggling with expanding your network? Well, in this video, I'm going to give you my
tried and true techniques that I use to help my network grow, which is critical for your career
success. And if you stay tuned to the end of this video, I have something really special for
you that you can share with your network that will get you noticed for the right reasons.
Hi, if you're new here, welcome. Don't forget to subscribe to my channel for the best career
and project management advice coming to you every Wednesday. Start with a positive attitude
about networking. When I talk about networking, believe you me, I get the moans and groans like,
"Oh Adrian, I just don't have time. It's a lot of work, energy, and effort." Yeah, it is. But
it's also impactful to your career. So really change the mindset and think of it like this,
if you're really focused on growing your career and being better at what you're doing,
which you are because you're here and I give you this advice so you can do that. Then really
think positively about networking, really give it the due diligence and change the attitude.
One of the things I've learned through networking is a lot of the cool things that I've come across
is usually through the people I know. People are apt to give you the special opportunities,
because they know you, you're part of their network versus giving it
to someone that's just a random stranger. So really think and be positive and understand the
power that networking is all about. Nurture your network. All right, now that you have a positive
attitude, two thumbs up for you. I'm really glad that you're now thinking differently about this.
There is a nurturing component. Just because you may have someone on your LinkedIn profile that
you've actually followed and they followed you back means nothing. It's what nurturing are you
doing with that particular contact or all your contacts? So really think about sending email,
seeing how people are doing, perhaps posting some stuff, sharing some information that may benefit
the other person. This nurturing part really just gives you that extra level of relationship
building. And it's that relationship building that's going to help with your
career because people start to know you better. Now, if you're now wondering, oh my goodness,
Adriana, I have so much to do already. And now you want me to do this nurturing work,
well as your not only project management expert, but you're efficiency expert, a little goes a long
way. Don't overwhelm yourself by picking a day, once a month to do your nurturing because that's
not going to work. Five minutes a day that's all you need with your cup of coffee in the morning,
go on your LinkedIn or wherever you are and decide on what type of nurturing your do with one or two
people. That's it. That's all you have to do. It makes a world of a difference, even as simple
text saying, "Hey, I was thinking of you. I hope all is well." Can actually have a huge impact.
So nurture your network and do a little bit every day because that can go a long way.
Prepare yourself introduction. Think of it like a ten second commercial and make it
really interesting. Two to three sentences about who you are, what you do. Now, I created one for
a virtual team meeting introduction that let's watch it together so you can get an example.
Hi, I'm Adriana Girdler, president of Cornerstone Dynamics. A productivity and project management
consulting firm. I have over 20 plus years of experience in this amazing industry, working with
some really cool clients. I live and breathe this stuff so much. So just ask me about my laundry
system. Now for more great tips on introductions. I want you to check out this video here as well.
Don't forget your business card, electronic and paper. So like electronic version really
is LinkedIn. So on your cell phone with your LinkedIn app, if you go to the search bar,
there's a QR code that you can actually connect with anybody who's in the room,
who actually has the LinkedIn app as well. Awesome way to get connected quickly and
get all their vital information, which is just going to help you from a networking perspective.
Now, let's talk about paper. Yes, I know it seems a little old fashioned. Some of you are probably
saying, "Man, I had never had a paper business card in a real long time." Well, here's mine. The
cool thing about business cards, paper business cards is you can add stuff on the back of them,
right behind him. I was going to say behind them, on the back of them. Stuff that you want to bring
people's attention to. Now, what's really nice about the paper version is it's so old fashioned
that is kind of like a nice etiquette thing. People go, "Oh my goodness, it's a paper business
card." And they save these now versus when they were the norm, people sometimes just toss it out.
So like a handwritten thank you note, your paper business card just has that same value
because we are so digitally connected. So don't forget your business cards really important.
Both versions are great. I have both, I use both. Determine on the scenario and situation,
which one you want to use the most. And it's just going to help you out. Challenge yourself. Get out
there you got to do in order to really find the benefits of networking. So joining an association,
you really have to get out there in order to start networking. It doesn't happen by you sitting
in your chair and just clicking on profiles. You really have to meet people. It's through the
meeting that really has the big benefit because you start to connect with individuals. If that
feels a little daunting, don't worry, take friend with you to. Your friends want to network as well.
Or at least they ought to be wanting to network because it's going to help them with their career.
And last but not least, don't overthink it. Just do it's networking. You're supposed to be meeting
people, you never know what that meeting is going to end up in for you from a career perspective.
So look at it as things just unfolding the most perfect way for you because you're taking this
leap of faith. Now that you have some networking tips on how to build your network,
how do you keep them engaged and have them ensure and know what a great professional you are? Well,
you do it by going to the link below, under this YouTube video and you grab this.
This is a checklist on why projects fail, because I promise you, you definitely work on projects
with either you realize it or not. If it has a start and an end, it's a project. You may not call
it. Maybe you call it an initiative, it's okay. But you want to be successful with it because
you want to be known for constantly delivering great things. Your network needs to be aware of
that because that's what's going to attract them to you to start offering you other opportunities.
Don't forget to subscribe to this channel, like this video, and please share it with everybody
you know. In fact, let's network, share this with all your network,
I would totally appreciate that. Thank you. On that note, until the next video. See you later.