Business is competitive by nature. If competitors didn’t push our favorite brands to be better, they may not even exist. Our technology options would be limited without Apple’s ingenuity. Shipping options would be limited without UPS or FedEx. And access to our favorite athletic gear would be more limited if no one was pushing the top brands like Nike to innovate. Competition fuels our greatest inventions, but behind every great leader or business is a core network of like-minded people and innovators supporting them. Professional associations connect business leaders to fellow innovators in their industry without competition from local rivals. These organizations offer many benefits and little risk to business leaders looking to grow. If you haven’t yet joined a professional association, these three benefits just might get you to change your mind. Learn and Grow With a Professional Association YOU’RE NOT ALONE
STAY CONNECTED, EVEN AT HOME
Try Digital Networking
It can be exhausting to network, but doing it digitally gives you access to people from across the world — all from your sofa. If you’re used to traditional networking, digital networking might seem like an elusive concept to you. How do you build new relationships when you’ve never met someone face to face? We’re here to tell you a secret: People do it every day. Here’s how.
KEEP EVERYTHING CURRENT.
EDUCATION AND RESOURCES
When’s the last time you updated your LinkedIn? The more details, the better. Even if you wanted to talk about your extracurriculars, you should — chances are there’s a fellow working professional with similar interests. Make sure you include your alma mater, professional associations, volunteer experience, publications, or even a cause you’re passionate about. It’ll be sure to draw the attention of like- minded people. Struggling to have your content shine on your platform? Create your own website to better showcase your work, credentials, interests, writing ability, and more.
Google is great for a quick answer, but when you need to learn something more nuanced, a simple internet search won’t cut it. Professional associations offer tailored, more in- depth help and resources like industry-specific training and webinars, how-to guides, and coaching. From peer advice and education to scholarly studies and reviews, associations act as a library of information for your industry.
NETWORKING AND MENTORSHIP
Why reinvent the wheel when you can adapt it with a mentor? Associations connect you to leaders who have stood where you are standing and succeeded. You can learn a lot from their failures, wisdom, and guidance. You can also connect with peers in your position and bounce ideas off of them. You won’t have to worry about competitors “stealing” your processes, and you have an honest, go-to support team to help you refine them before presenting them to your team.
GIVE PEOPLE A REASON TO REACH OUT TO YOU FIRST.
As soon as there’s an expert in the room, people start approaching them. You want to be that expert. Hone your voice by writing posts and sharing content that interests you while freely offering advice. It’s great to comment on other people’s posts, too! Being active will give your network plenty of reasons to chat with you.
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH
BE AUTHENTIC.
A business is only as good as the leader managing it, and all business leaders have room for improvement. An association can give you the tools to get there. And as you continue to learn, you’ll discover personal and professional areas that can be further refined. This personal development only makes you and your business stronger. Are you still not convinced you should join an association? Think of it this way: Your competitors could be growing through their involvement in an association while you remain stagnant. Push forward and connect with your peers today.
The concept of networking often makes people feel “dirty” because they don’t want to seem selfish. But this feeling is a misconception about networking itself. Networking works best when it isn’t inherently selfish. Be curious about creating genuine relationships that are mutually beneficial. Provide your gratitude and passion for your work, and you’ll be sure to find connections that last your whole career. Digital conferences aren’t all there is to digital networking. Regularly keep up with your relationships, and you’ll be sure to grow your network quicker than you could have imagined. Best of luck on your next LinkedIn post!
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