The value of networking

Like many of you will relate to, the embracing of a new year always brings a fresh resolve and a hopeful outlook. As someone who has successfully built a career and now a business on networking, I would encourage everyone to actively and consistently network.

Many people do not see networking as a simple and easy task. I would say that is because there is too much pressure and information out there on how to network. My key advice is to make sure you are consistent in your efforts to network and make sure you give as well as take from your networks. On the second part, it matters not that this is done at the same time, it just must overall work out that way in the bigger picture.

When I work with my network I do not hold on to any debt or keep a score as to who owes what in the relationship. I go through my networking wholeheartedly and with an open and often unstructured agenda with the simple principle, if it feels like the right thing to do, I do it, regardless of the cost or effort to myself as I believe networking is based on adding value where I can.

I always have my networking radar on. It is part of my instinct now and I tend to attract many like minded people by being open to conversation. Once upon a time I took a simple taxi ride across London. I spoke to the taxi driver about many things, and we connected, and he shared the details of an incredible charity that was providing support to homeless women to get them back into the world of work from coaching to clothing. This left a big impression on me. I shared this information with many I met, and I touched the heart of someone in my network who then went on to work for that charity. A chance conversation can lead to incredible things. We just need to keep open and to keep up our networking. It doesn’t have to be in big, crowded events, it can simply be the sharing of information for benefit, during a chance meeting!

So Happy 2025! And Happy Networking!