What do you do if you want to strengthen your professional network within your company or organization?

Personal contact with your network is the most important thing you can do. Eat together. Work together. Find strengths together. Avoid negativity. Positive contributions to your peers and team will be retributed.

I always encourage my mentees to be present in meetings, go prepared so that you can actively contribute ideas, and follow up with colleagues to maintain ongoing communication and relationships.

Engaging is so important if you want to nurture your relationships. Ask about them, organise casual catch up calls or coffee chats, encourage them, help your peers. All of these are important if you want to build lasting relationships 🧡

It is important to branch out and to engage in other areas, other departments, and with other network groups. I have found that we tend to be creatures of habit, and when that is the case, we pass the same people in the same locations at the same time each and every day. Change things up once in a while go to lunch a half an hour earlier or go a half an hour later than you normally would. Stand up to stretch and walk around the complex at a different time you’ll never know who you might see and be able to connect with. Don’t be afraid to walk up and introduce yourself to people. Find your counterpart in another department and ask for a tour. Have them introduce you to some people that you may have emails from, but have never met.

I simply tend to connect with individuals from different departments and make sure that I constantly take part in several extra curricular activities and my contribution is there among different departments within the organisation and not just focused to my skills. Also it is important to have a hybrid working environment to be able to connect more at work.

I strive to offer help within my capacity, prioritising the betterment of our organisation. At its core, is my commitment to empathy, understanding, and proactive observation of colleagues' needs. Ultimately, it's about fostering a culture of mutual respect and support, where each member feels empowered to thrive and help each other.

Be proactive in offering assistance and support to your colleagues whenever possible. Whether it's lending expertise, providing guidance, or volunteering for tasks, offering help builds trust and rapport within your network.

Ich bin ein Freund von Win-Win-Situationen. Ein Netzwerk sollte auch strategisch aus- und aufgebaut werden. Wo will ich hin, wen benötige ich dazu und wem kann ich supporten. Netzwerkarbeit ist wie eine Freundschaft, die darf gepflegt werden und das benötigt Zeit, ein tragfähiges Netzwerk aufzubauen und lieber weniger Kontakte und dafür, die zu einem und den Werten passen.

Oferecer ajuda é uma maneira eficaz de fortalecer sua rede. Ao ajudar os outros, você se torna um recurso valioso e constrói uma reputação como um jogador de equipe. Isso pode levar a mais oportunidades de colaboração e fortalecer sua presença profissional dentro da organização

Mentorship indeed leverages the art and science of activating networks, making it a pivotal tool in career advancement. By connecting with mentors, especially those well-integrated within your industry, you can gain access to a broader network, benefit from endorsements, and receive crucial career feedback. However, it’s important to recognize that over-reliance on a mentor’s network can inadvertently lead to professional stagnation. Constant engagement and active contributions are essential to keep the relationship dynamic and growth-oriented. Embrace mentorship not just to expand your network, but to actively enrich it, ensuring you continuously evolve and avoid plateauing in your career.

Try to find someone within the organization whose career path or skills you admire and ask them to mentor you. A great mentor can provide guidance, support, and also introduce you to their network.

I am a passionate advocate for mentoring, whether through formal mentorship programs or dynamic speed mentoring sessions. Throughout my career, I have found that these mentoring relationships have been instrumental in driving my personal and professional development forward. Not only do they provide me with invaluable guidance and support, but they also offer a unique opportunity to connect with senior leaders and subject matter experts across the organization. I firmly believe that mentorship is more than just a one-way exchange of knowledge; it's a collaborative partnership focused on achieving shared goals.

Mentoring sowohl in- als auch extern, ist ein Push-Instrument. Im eigenen Unternehmen als Unterstützer, aber auch extern, als Wachstums-Faktor. Wer wachsen will, benötigt ein entsprechendes Umfeld und einen Spiegel zur Reflexion.

Buscar mentoria é essencial para fortalecer sua rede profissional. Encontre mentores na sua organização que possam oferecer orientação e apoio na sua jornada de carreira. Eles podem apresentá-lo a novas conexões, endossar suas habilidades e fornecer feedback valioso. Lembre-se de mostrar gratidão pelo tempo deles e compartilhar seus próprios insights quando apropriado. Essa troca mútua pode criar um relacionamento duradouro e benéfico, expandindo tanto sua rede quanto a do seu mentor.

Involve yourself in cross-functional projects which collaborate with teams from different departments like marketing, sales, product development, or finance. This way you can: 1. Meet new colleagues and build relationships outside your usual circle. 2. Gain a deeper understanding of the company's various functions and how they intersect. 3. Develop a more holistic perspective on the organization's goals and challenges. 4. Showcase your skills and expertise to a broader audience. 5. Learn from others' strengths and approaches, enhancing your own professional development. Some examples of cross-functional projects include: 1. Developing a marketing campaign 2. Conducting market research or analysis 3. Creating a training program or workshop

Aside from being easy to work with and offering/seeking mentorship, collaborative projects are probably the best way to develop professionally. Working in cross-departmental settings toward a common goal allow you to get out of your silo, exposing you to diverse skill sets, processes, and personalities. Additionally, it builds your visibility within the company, paints you as a reliable and creative teammate, and often results in a more "baked" deliverable.

In my experience, taking a few risks and "putting myself out there" by volunteering to help with projects has been helpful. Whether recognized projects on the corporate docket or smaller, departmental efforts, or even charity or community support events, offering to use my specific skills in a tangible way is appreciated and has allowed my to showcase skills that might not show up in day-to-day work.

Whether being introverted or extroverted attending events can be a good way of building your network. I know this comes easier to extroverted people, but if you make a plan and remember to take small breaks to yourself throughout the event this can also be of huge benefit for introverts. Introverted or extroverted, it is always a good idea to have a plan of networking going into events. Look at who is attending, and where you can bring value. After the event, follow up with people you spoke to and add value by sharing extra information or resources on the topics you spoke about.

By actively participating in company events, initiatives, and conversations, you not only expand your network and yourself be seen but also deepen your understanding of the organization's dynamics and opportunities.

Your work performance speaks volumes about your capabilities, dedication, and expertise. By consistently delivering quality results, exceeding expectations, and demonstrating leadership qualities, you not only earn the respect of your colleagues but also attract opportunities for collaboration and mentorship. Additionally, leveraging online platforms like LinkedIn allows you to amplify your personal brand beyond the confines of your workplace. Share insights, achievements, and industry knowledge, and engage with professionals from diverse backgrounds.

Il faut savoir se mettre en avant dans l'entreprise dans des activités en plus de celles de l'entreprise. Ne pas hésiter également à mettre à profit ses compétences au profit des autres.

Your personal brand is important in networking, this is how you will get remembered. But it is also something built over time - I recommend starting by offering to help others and create value for others. That is a good place to start. Share your knowledge and help.

"You're always optimistic." "You're fun to work with." "You have interesting perspectives." "I don't normally think of PhDs as creative." These are all feedback I have heard, and it was effortless. Do not try to be someone else, as you will lose yourself in the process. Instead, don't just be yourself; BE OPEN WITH IT! I love working in the pharmaceutical industry, but I'm not my job: I'm a father, a husband, a power lifter, a blacksmith... All of these build a personality, and, when coupled with my optimism and willingness to communicate, lead to strong interpersonal relationships with teammates and clients alike! Capitalize on your strengths, reach out to others to help you build off of weaknesses, and you'll leave positive impressions.

Sua marca pessoal é uma poderosa ferramenta de networking dentro da empresa. É a soma das suas habilidades, experiências e personalidade. Comunique claramente sua marca através do seu desempenho, comportamento profissional e presença online. Isso ajuda os outros a entenderem quem você é e o que você oferece, atraindo pessoas e oportunidades afins para sua rede.

Building a personal brand within an organization is most effectively achieved through collaboration and action rather than mere words. Actions resonate louder, embodying the power to influence and inspire. Authenticity is key in this process, as it builds trust and respect over the 8 hours a day we share with colleagues. It's crucial to maintain integrity in all aspects—meeting deadlines, clear communication, and steady progress. Authenticity not only fosters admiration but also shapes how we are perceived, playing a crucial role in our professional journey and growth.

Engage your manager with the development of your network. How can they help you with introductions and or projects/task that help you to meet more people in the organization. This can also be done with a trusted colleague. If you are not comfortable with networking you could consider a training or working with a coach.

Para ser valorizado no trabalho, não espere que alguém venha até você oferecendo ajuda. Em vez disso, coloque-se à disposição para ajudar e compartilhar conhecimento. Seja proativo, ofereça seu apoio e esteja disposto a colaborar com seus colegas. Ao demonstrar iniciativa e generosidade, você não apenas fortalece sua posição profissional, mas também cria um ambiente de trabalho mais cooperativo e produtivo. Lembre-se de que o verdadeiro valor está em como você contribui para o crescimento e sucesso coletivo, não apenas em receber benefícios individuais.

Regularly assess the diversity and depth of your network, actively seek out connections outside your immediate team or department, and be open to learning from colleagues at all levels of the organization.

Leverage your existing network. Ensure the people you connect with on a frequent basis know your interest, career aspirations and even opportunities. Ask them, if they know of someone that would be a good connection to help elevate or close a gap. I often find that we don’t have to go far to find what we’re looking for.