Power Of Networking In The Workplace Over A Coffee Break
By Power Of Networking
Networking is one of the most spoken terms in our work environments. Networking In the workplace is not something that is relevant only to IT-based firms but to every available business. It resides everywhere. Starting from a bus stop, and tea shop to all manufacturing and software companies.
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Luckily most of us very well know about the importance of networking in the workplace. But, how many of us do networking at the workplace is a question for which most of us have got a smile on our lips and nothing else as an answer.
The Rags to Riches Milestone:
The role and the importance of networking in the workplace is something that can be understood if we go through some of the rags-to-riches stories.
Yeah, I am referring to the personalities who had moved from homeless to great heights with a strong backing of networking at the workplace and sometimes with no place to work. A google on rags to riches examples will give us a good number of search results. The results with great motivating stories that had happened around us.
Most of those stories will for sure trigger our brain chemicals for the good. If we look a bit closer at most of the rags to riches stories we can find networking at the workplace as one of the vital ingredients of their success.
For example, the story of Mrs. Patricia Narayan who had started a food cart at the shores of Marina beach and is now the CEO of Sandheepa Group of Restaurants in Chennai.
Networking Types:
Yes, the term Networking is something owned by the line of computers. But, the LAN, WAN, PAN, VLAN, etc. do not play a role when it comes to humans.
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Networking in humans is categorized into two types.
- Social Networking
- Professional Networking
The best example of Social Networking is our activities on the websites like Meetup, Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, etc.
Websites like Linkedin, Career Network, Xing, Doostang, Branchout, etc. fall under the professional networking category.
But, both the two mentioned above category is something that helps us connect with people virtually at least at the initial stages. They are good but not great as they are less efficient when compared to networking at the workplace. In other words, they cannot compete to connect with someone via physical presence.
Networking At Workplace Is Not Confined To One’s Desk:
Most of the organizations we work with reiterate the importance of networking in the workplace nowadays. The major reason behind that is the benefits they bring in for an individual as well as for an organization.
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Some of the firms do conduct Toast Master sessions where candidates from different projects gather and speak. Though the main motto of the Toast Master sessions is to get rid of stage fear while speaking in front of the public it also opens up a lot of possibilities for networking at the workplace.
Networking at the workplace does not mean that the connection should happen inside a confined room with four walls. The term networking in the workplace has evolved and still evolving in line with the latest trends.
There was a time when people use to connect with their counterparts in hotels and convention centers to discuss their portfolios. But, that is no longer the case.
What Is Coffee Networking?
Let me place a scenario by introducing two characters in this section.
Character Names: A and B
Role Of A At Work: Practice Lead
Role Of B At Work: A candidate with mid-level experience
Place: Company C
Character A is somebody who is with the company for more than 10 years. A person with rich experience in technology, people management, etc.
As a four to five years experienced employee of the firm, character B does his job at his best. A hard as well as a smart worker based on the situation.
Character B for whom character A is a big name and a very familiar person but that is not the case with Character A.
Up on the professional ladder character A never got a chance to have a chat with character B.
Now, character B would like to introduce himself to A and learn from him, and wanted A to be his mentor for his career growth.
Character B initiates the conversation via an email requesting A’s availability for a chat preferably at the time when A takes a break. A chat over a cup of coffee. Here character B does not waste character A’s valuable time and at the same time uses his time wisely. This is one way of Coffee Networking.
A Lot Can Happen Over Coffee:
This a very familiar saying for most of us. The quote of Cafe Coffee Day. Just like how networking at the workplace is not confined to one’s desk or cabin, it also need not be a very formal chat with a specific beverage either.
Please remember, networking at the workplace does not just refer to the professional connection with your own leads and subordinates, there is more to it. An individual’s network can be from any department, with any role and job description.
The crux of networking is to connect with others for personal as well as professional growth. Never forget that everyone in this world is gifted in one or the other way. We will not know who will come to our rescue when we are looking for help.
Why Coffee?
The simple answer is that Caffeine increases the energy levels in the brain. Leading to increased focus, enhanced memory, creativity, etc. But, it again depends on every individual’s interest.
Benefits Of Networking At Workplace:
Though, most of us very well know about the benefits of networking at the workplace. Let me take this moment to help ourselves refresh.
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Networking at the workplace helps…
- To get out of our comfort zone and start a discussion with someone
- Gain knowledge in many areas
- Look at an issue from many perspectives
- Career growth
- Gauge a situation better
- Grow business
- Build long-lasting friendship/relationship
- Find the right job when required and more…
What Not To Do While Networking At Workplace?
- Do not take others’ valuable time for granted. You might be free but that may not be the case for the other party.
- Understand the meaning of Networking. You need not speak every day/week but a “Hi” once a month gives a good feel for the parties involved.
- Use your networking at the workplace for the benefit of yourselves and others.
- Avoid utilizing your connections to degrade and hurt others. Never forget the term “Professional Ethics”.