Four People You NEED in Your Professional Network
Published by David Spotts,
You don’t have to convince most people there is value in having a professional network. When you network with others in the industry, you create a community of people you can reach out to for support.
Whether it’s client troubles, employee turnover or troubleshooting HDMI, chances are good that someone else has battled the same issues. You also may have the satisfaction of providing advice that it took you much longer to learn or skills that were difficult to hone.
All of this sounds great, but you may be wondering: How do I create a network? Networking is not a once-a-year effort. To cultivate a network that goes beyond the social sphere or a simple hello at a cocktail hour, you need to be purposeful and persistent.
There are lots of different theories on how to network and who the key players in your network should be. In a Forbes article titled “How to Build a Powerful Professional Network,” Tai Goodwin describes 10 people who should be in your network. Below are a few examples of what these types of people may look like in our industry.
The Mentor. Everyone has aspirations for where they would like to take their business. Perhaps it’s filling your rolodex with celebrity clientele or being able to sell the business by the time you’re 50. The Mentor is someone who has been there; they’ve been successful in the same goals you are pursuing. Mentors can offer you direction and guidance and even help you avoid some pitfalls they may have fallen into on their road to success.
The Visionary. This industry is full of visionaries – just look at CEDIA’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipients. The Visionary has the power to inspire you each time you meet. They can help you dream big dreams and figure out ways to bring them to fruition. CEDIA has employed the help of industry visionaries on projects like the Future Technology Pavilion and our series of white papers. When you’re blazing new trails, make sure you have a Visionary on board.
The Partner. Networking can often seem like a risk. You may be in the same room as your competition. However, it’s important to have someone in your network that is in a similar stage as you – a fellow technician or owner, maybe outside your regional market. This is someone who can commiserate and celebrate with you because they’re in the same place and they “get it.”
The Wanna-Be. It’s always important to pay it forward and mentor someone who could benefit from your wisdom and experience. Maybe this is someone who is just getting into the industry. Or it could even be an industry veteran who has decided to change the look or direction of their business. It may sound corny, but be the type of mentor you would like to have.
Now that we’ve talked about the essential people to have in your network, you may be wondering how to get started. CEDIA EXPO will be here before we know it (September 25-28 in Denver, CO), but CEDIA is also offering a new opportunity for members to network face-to-face. Connect with CEDIA events will begin in May and will allow you to learn from experts in the field, discuss hot topics, and socialize. The first event will be in Indianapolis, IN on May 2.
Additional events are scheduled through the year. Visit www.cedia.net/connect for the full schedule.