PERSONAL SPECIAL..NETWORK THE RIGHT WAY!

NETWORK THE RIGHT WAY!

Networking today is the key to excel. We ask a few experts to suggest tips to hone one’s networking skills

PEOPLE have been networking as long as they have been communicating with each other. Business networking is not a new trend, says Shilpashree M head - marketing & communications, Terex India Private Limited, “In the past, it was restricted to people one knew more personally and today, with the virtual world offering new networking tools and opportunities, the horizon of business networking has expanded. The important thing to watch out for is that new-age networking is only as good as you make of it.”

    Even for women, networking is imperative to growth. “It is very important to network in the corporate world - to remain updated on the market trends, generate new business and associate oneself with peers within the industry,” shares Shubhra Bhardwaj Mehandirata, director, Ferriswheel Entertainment Pvt Ltd.

    It has been observed that women network differently as compared to men. Alpana Banerjee, chief human resources officer - emerging markets & specialists division, Kuoni Group reasons it to the fact that men and women vary in mental and emotional disposition. “Men get straight to the point. They simply identify and get in touch with

    individuals who they believe could be of help. Women, on the other hand, believe in building lasting connections, even if there is no immediate business motives. They tend to personalise professional networking for creating connections or friendships. Various studies have shown that women usually have closer relationships with their contacts than men,” she adds.

    There also exists a gap between the networking style of both men and women, and this again is because of the difference in styles and opportunities for networking available to women. “It cannot be ignored that at times women fail to connect with their own aptitude and inherent merits while networking. Moderately, in many women, there is an affluence of skills, when it comes to verbal and non-verbal communication - a key to networking, but it remains to be seen whether they have comprehended it to identify ways to use it,” points out Sakshi Gogia, CEO, Ascent Buildtech Pvt. Ltd.

    Women have different skills, strengths and communication styles when it comes to networking. “These differences can be leveraged by women for successful networking. The best career advancement strategy for working women is to be conscious of their unique situations and act accordingly,” says Banerjee. Agrees Shilpashree, “Being proactive and attentive to the changing environment will work rather than hibernating and surfacing out once in a while. It is important to be seen at the right places - both in person and virtual, in order to gain an extra edge in today’s competitive times.”

- Neha Bhatia ET130320