INTHEBLACK October 2021 - Magazine - Page 68
WORK SMART
// N E T W O R K I N G
STORY JOHANNA LEGGATT
BEST OF
BOTH
WORLDS
PROFESSIONALS NEED TO EMBRACE BOTH
TRADITIONAL AND NEW STYLES OF NETWORKING
TO THRIVE IN THE CURRENT TIMES.
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68 ITB October 2021
etworking used to be a fairly straightforward affair
– the exchange of business cards at conferences,
a business lunch or a breakfast event.
Today, networking is a sophisticated hybrid of
online networking opportunities – webinars, virtual coffee
dates and virtual conferences – as well as in-person
catch-ups, lockdowns permitting.
The shift has proven challenging for some, says
Rebecca Plant, co-founder of networking organisation
The Business League.
“Some people still think that they need to be in a
physical room with someone to really spark a connection,”
Plant says.
“Yet, a networking event is never about landing a sale – it’s
about building relationships, and that shouldn’t be dependent
on whether you’re on a Zoom call or face to face.”
Graeme Beattie FCPA, partner at Worrells Solvency &
Forensic Accountants, also believes that online networking
has created enormous opportunity, while freeing up
precious time.
“Normally, board members would have flown interstate
once every six weeks for the firm’s national board
meeting,” he says.
“Since COVID-19, we’ve done every one of them on
Microsoft Teams, and that has meant I can do school
drop-off and still be able to interact fully in the meeting.”
EXPERT TIPS FOR ONLINE NETWORKING
While online networking does offer a multitude of
opportunities, professionals still need to know how to
make the most of the technology, and it starts with the
all-important videoconferencing platform profile.
“Change the ‘handle’ on your videoconferencing profile, so
it displays your name and business name or title,” Plant says.
You may spot someone in the videoconferencing chat
who could turn into a productive partner, or you could
spark up a conversation with someone who could turn
into a new client.
“If your profile displays something like ‘John’s iPhone’,
then that is going to make it really hard for someone to
connect with you and remember who you are,” she says.
Also, make sure you turn on your video, no matter how
deep your instinct is to hide behind a profile photo.
“Video is a really confronting format for a lot of people,
but the great thing about this environment is that everyone’s
having to do it,” Plant says.
“The thing to note is that, on most virtual platforms, if you
don’t have your video on, you will go to the end of the video
display and could miss the opportunity to be seen.”
Finally, buck the online trend of “lurking”, and be a joiner.
“If the presenter is asking questions, answer them,” Plant
says. “If they’re asking for engagement, or they’re putting you
in a breakout room, be ready to talk about what it is you do.”