The power of networking, and how to build connections early to support career growth
Fox pointed out that participation in industry projects and other relevant activities is key to building your network.

The Ekurhuleni-based Succeed Business Network and Aerotropolis Business Chamber highlighted the importance of networking and shared tips that can help you build connections early to support your career growth.
According to the organisation’s Derek Fox, networking is the backbone of any person, whether an artist, professional, entrepreneur, or business owner, who wants to make career breakthroughs and impact the world.
Fox pointed out that participation in industry projects and other relevant activities is key to building your network.
“There are networking events, meet-ups and get-togethers for almost every discipline and career you can think of, where you can meet like-minded people. There are also business organisations that have breakfasts.
Attending these projects related to your career or your business helps you to access and connect with a broad range of professionals in your field, from your peers to more senior industry professionals. Remember, ‘birds of a feather flock together’.
Other ways of creating and growing your network include establishing mentoring relationships, doing voluntary work and internships to gain that knowledge, career advice, and access to industry insights. These avenues provide great opportunities to meet people and form bonds.
“Also use these activities to build your brand and to create long-term relationships with mutual benefits. While getting to know others, share about you and showcase your capabilities or service offerings.
“Networking will benefit your career because there are people who know what you want to know. If you approach them with the right intentions, they will happily engage and assist you.
“As Ken Kragen puts it, ‘life is a contact sport’. You have to be engaged in it to propel yourself forward.
“It is never who you know, but who they know. Consider the rule of 7, which suggests customers need to see your brand at least seven times before they commit to a purchase decision.
“I challenge you to try this with seven people from where you are now.
“You will reach anyone in the world who you want to by networking because someone always knows the person you want to reach or at least knows someone who knows that person.
“An American survey company called Gallup did a survey many years ago and found that, on average, everyone knows at least 283 people. If you don’t believe this, look at your contacts on your mobile phone. You probably have more than 283 or close to 283.
“Consider this, if everyone knows 283 people, what we are saying is that your 283 people all know 283 people – potentially a network database of 80 089 people.
“Not everyone may be a source that can take you forward. Be conservative and say we can only network with 100 of our contacts and we can only network with 100 of their contacts, that is a potential network of 10 000 people.
“Networking is key but not everyone is a gregarious social butterfly that can network with everyone and talk to strangers. But going to as many networking functions as you can, will take your cause forward.
EHL Insights (a hospitality business school) shared the following tips on how to build your network:
• Participate in shared projects: These include boards, volunteer activities, cross-functional teams and training programs, as these activities can provide opportunities to meet people and create long-term relationships.
• Meet people in new contexts – over coffee, social events, travel, and outside activities. Or consider taking up a hobby that develops soft skills and connections.
Building relationships with people in different settings helps people to see the multiple facets of you and your talents.
• Find a mentor, sponsor, coach. Participate in your company’s mentoring program, ask for help from people who know you well, and build trust. In addition to providing career guidance, mentors and sponsors can make introductions and provide legitimacy.
While your talents are of an unknown quantity, an introduction from a sponsor allows you to showcase your abilities, facilitate trust, and gain acceptance in a new situation.
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