INTRA-CORPORATE NETWORKING

In the  21st century, everyone in the company is expected to contribute to the survival, expansion and growth of that business organization in the marketplace.  In short, everyone is an important part of the business development (internal and external) and the fiscal health of that organization.

Today, companies rely on the following governing principles to achieve desired outcomes:

  • team building across department lines 
  • interdependent attitudes and effort
  • cross-functional projects
  • strategic alliances
  • nurturing financial responsibility by the entire organization
  • lateral management (managers who view themselves as managing peers replacing the traditional view of managing subordinates)
  • influencing skills (replacing the traditional demanding or military-like order giving skills).

Therefore, an important asset that you must possess for your own success is the ability to create a company presence that compliments your skills, motivation, and efforts.  This company presence requires a willingness to communicate actively, to give actively, and eventually, to receive the benefits of being viewed as someone who is a resource of information and knowledge, competent work habits, and supportive cooperation and leadership.

QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS
Connecting With Others In The Workplace

"What is it all about?  Why is it important for me to build networks at work? I am busy with my job. I do a good job.  Isn't that enough?"
    
What good is doing your job well if no one really knows about your accomplishments?  No longer does the report card attitude (that worked in the 1950's, 1960's, 1970's and early 1980's) work in today's marketplace.  The old belief if you work hard and do your job well, then you will be rewarded is dead and buried!!!  Today, we all experience fast changes, unbelievable amounts of new information, right-sizing, corporate mergers and acquisitions, cross-functional teams.  Now more than ever it is important to network with others in the company.  Isolate yourself behind your office desk and you will remain out of sight and out of mind.   Your responsibility to yourself and your employer company is to get out there and be seen as a team player.

"How can I get started as an intra-corporate network-er?"

Learn about your department and the rest of the company.  Get out of your comfort zone and ask the right questions of the right people. Create networking opportunities:  join committees;  write for the newsletter; volunteer for sport teams or the United Way program, represent your company at different events, especially as a keynote speaker or a panelist, etc.  Show up at meetings you do not have to attend, and work the room with finesse.  Examples of such meetings are in-house seminars, programs with outside speakers, company sponsored events in the community.

"Are timing and good taste important when I am networking?"

You bet they are.  Avoid coming across as too eager or even as a pest. As a new  member of the company, observe - observe - observe - observe!!!  Become aware of appropriate (acceptable) and inappropriate (unacceptable) behaviors.  Emulate the behaviors of the persons you respect as mentors who know how to position themselves as team players, people to know, people on whom others can count.  Avoid coming across as being overly zealous, phony, a user, or even a taker.  Successful networkers know that it is better to give, offer time and help, assume the roles of being sources of information and problem-solvers who share work efforts.  Team players are not out for themselves;  they are out for the whole team.  Appreciate the bigger business picture.