We close out this series on how to use your professional network to get maximum value from your connections, peer-to-peer interaction, and the collective insight and experience of colleagues. The best-practices we’ve covered give you a great foundation for building, leveraging and sustaining a truly powerful professional network. We’ll leave you with one final thought and recap a full spectrum of strategies.
We all need occasional help to refresh and renew. The more you work in isolation the greater your risk for personal burnout and professional stagnation. Sharing knowledge and inspiration promotes new thinking and new ideas. It strengthens professional ties and spreads success across organizations. Your network is a valuable source of fresh perspectives and new ideas. It’s also a source of fresh energy and new enthusiasm, so reconnect and re-engage with colleagues and peers. Your professional peer network can provide a fresh boost of energy for you and your organization!
Thanks for staying with us through this series. I hope you’ll remember…
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All of us together know more than any of us alone, and your goal should not be to build a strong network … but to participate in one.
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A broad network of informed, experienced contacts gives you access to new and valuable information
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You can accelerate decision making by leveraging a network of colleagues who have “been there and done that”.
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Give your network a little proactive care and attention to keep it healthy and productive.
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Getting your team connected and involved extends the huge value across the organization.
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Get in the game. Show colleagues that you’re a valuable connection too. When we all share we all win!
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Common courtesy will go a long way in adding value to a long-term asset (your network). Paying attention to etiquette pays off.
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We should never forget that our network is ultimately a set of relationships, and in the end it’s all about people helping each other.
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Your network is a valuable source of fresh perspectives and new ideas … fresh energy and new enthusiasm.
These best-practices have come from decades working alongside top people in customer service and support. However, I believe these strategies can be applied almost universally. If you find they’re useful to a conversation or a colleague in another sphere … we hope you’ll share them.
For a complete list of our best-practices you can use this link for a copy of the full white paper. You’ll get a pdf you can save and share, and immediate access to the content online.
To view previous posts in this Best Practices for a Powerful Professional Network series, please use the following links:
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Part 2: Expand Your View
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Part 3: Accelerate Decision Making
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Part 4: Proactive Care and Attention
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Part 5: Inside Strategies
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Part 6: Get In The Game
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Part 7: Etiquette Matters
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Part 8: Refresh and Renew
Lon Hendrickson is the Executive Director of the CCNG Magnet Program.
