The Art of Networking

According to online stats around 55% of UK employers are more likely to hire someone recommended to them, increasing to 70% – 85% globally.  Given this percentage drops to around 33% for graduates who generally have to apply through online graduate recruitment sites, the percentage is higher for those 40 and above.

For those of us on LinkedIn (itself a networking site), we’re increasingly seeing contacts advertising through the platform to their networks for personal recommendations.  It’s a great way of connecting with trusted people who could be the ideal match and also removing recruitment fees. 

Networking (in my opinion anyway) is a great connector, however, in day to day conversations, mention the word ‘Networking’ and the topic becomes like Marmite, you either like it or you don’t.  Some people actively throw themselves into it, others see it simply as a necessity, while others will go to great lengths to avoid, but what is really all about?

At its simplest level Networking is a gateway to:

• Building working relationships and connections
• Building ‘Know, Like and Trust’ with those connections
• Building knowledge – personal, business and industry
• Building Sales and Marketing outlets

Networking actually operates at a range of different levels, from individual conversations and small groups within your own organization, to large industry events, but the trick is consistency. We actually all network without realising it. For instance, I’ve watched people who claim they never network, meet up with current and ex-work colleagues on a regular basis and subsequently provide job recommendations for these same connections when required, i.e. unconscious networking.

Personally, I’ve always enjoyed networking and facilitating (apparently this is well known!) and am very grateful for all the networking opportunities that have come my way, from the early days of my career up to the current day and everyone who has encouraged me along the way.  These days I’m often asked which events I’m attending and increasingly, how to actually network. The events I attend are wide ranging, large conferences, smaller events, learning opportunities, networking groups, business social gatherings, plus facilitation, speaking and even podcasting at events.  Every event brings me an opportunity to learn and meet people which in turn, gives me the opportunity to link people across the industry in different guises as everything comes full circle.  

In the last few years this has led to the lovely opportunity to run Networking workshop sessions for firms and groups exploring how they can network as individuals and businesses.  Ideas have flowed in these sessions with attendees coming up with simple and effective strategies to benefit themselves and the local communities.

There’s no hard and fast rules for Networking, it’s not a dark art and anyone can learn / remind themselves of basic networking techniques as it’s easy to forget when our focus is elsewhere.  For example:

• Which events serve you best – consider what is your area of expertise or areas where you need to learn, which offer CPD if this is a requirement and which offer networking opportunities
• Who should attend networking events – if you are part of the team, split up events between you over a year
• Value for money – most events are free for Advisers so well worth investigating what is available in your local area and further afield
• What suits you – really important as some people are happier at smaller events, others love the bigger environments
• How you network – From building confidence and conversations to which social media platforms best suit your business
• Be consistent – turning up the second time is always easier than the first time and you start to get to know people
• Make an effort – lots of people on their own attend events so aim to speak to a minimum number of people at an event. It gets easier over time and you don’t need to be an extravert to hold a conversation.

It’s been really great to watch individuals from the workshop sessions expand their networking techniques, develop their confidence and try different approaches with great success, from online posts to videos and awards, benefiting themselves and their businesses (you know who you are!).  So with 2026 fast approaching now is the opportunity to start lining up your networking plans for next year.  Give it go, you never know what might happen!

Helen is the founder of Mint Blue Consulting, proving Project Management and Consultancy services to help Financial Services firms with key change and development.  For more information contact [email protected].