Expand Your Network Beyond the Usual Players

Expand Your Network Beyond the Usual Players

We all know that a network is important for success, but few of us devote sufficient time to making it useful. If you leave things to chance, your network will be too inward-facing and not diverse enough. You need to learn to network outside your organization, team, and close connections. Here are some practical steps to start developing a stronger network:

• Visit a start-up within your sector. Consider why incumbents rarely lead the way in new products and services.
• Attend a new conference.
• Start a LinkedIn or Facebook group.
• Teach a course at a local college. Learn from your students.
• Go to lunch with a peer from a competing company. Learn more about your market value.
• Connect with someone you’ve lost track of. Ask this person to help you connect with someone new.