The New Normal — Building Your Network Virtually
By: Christopher James Langdon
Tags: Mentoring, Networking, Job Hunting, Business Networking, Virtual Networking

I have mentored many people over my career and recently have had the privilege of mentoring a few people who were recent arrivals to Canada. These fine people have come at a most challenging time with many businesses shuttering, most freezing hiring and many working remotely. For a new immigrant trying to get established and meet people in their field it’s quite frankly near impossible.

That got me thinking that we’ve all had to re-imagine our approaches to various business processes and this need to network definitely needed a rethink. How do we continue to establish and build our business networks during and after the pandemic?

There are many reasons why we network: our need for social contact, getting established in a new town, industry or just looking for business opportunities. All of these are great reasons to get out there and all rely on the same fundamental social skills:

· introducing ourselves in a memorable way and

· standing out from the crowd

Sound familiar? It’s all about branding and differentiation. But wait.., now we’ve been thrown this curve ball called COVID-19 and you can’t get out and shake hands and dazzle people with the aura of your magnetic personality. What to do?

Well, the times have changed. The technology we rely has shifted from business cards to on-line profiles, meet-ups have hopefully gone on-line and our on-line persona has become the new first impression. The medium may have changed BUT the basics of networking and meeting people remain the same…same but different.

Below I’ll share with you what I think are the meat and potatoes of business networking and then I’ll expand on how things have shifted as we rely almost entirely on meeting and connecting with people via on-line mediums during this time of COVID-19.

THE BASICS:

1. The More You Give The More You Get — its as simple as giving freely to others and finding out how you can help them. Be a good listener. You’ll be amazed how a virtuous circle will ensue when you help others and the networking connector you will become.

2. Plan and Know Why and How You’re Doing This — like any endeavour, create a plan, a schedule and measurements of success whether that’s landing a job or finding like minded people and organizations in your new city.

3. Test and Iterate — the more at bats you have the more hits you’ll get. Undertake lots of experiments and alter course accordingly. Above all never get discouraged that it’s taking longer to connect with people, especially now.

4. Create a Brand — Your Story, Why You — people remember stories and everyone has one, so get good at telling yours so you stick out from the crowd. Know how you want to be known, be courageous and above all be true to yourself. Shakespeare knew that.

5. Skill to Master — Effective Communication — this is the single most important skill I suggest people master. Your technical skills / background will get you a job, how far you go will depend on how well you can communicate.

6. Learn and share knowledge broadly — add value to the knowledge you share by adding your personal observations or examples. Make sure what you share is aligned to your brand.

DURING A PANDEMIC

1. Skills to Master — Effective VIDEO Communication — just face up to it, you better get good at video. No up the nose shots nor god from above shots, good lighting, a decent camera, clean background and dress appropriately for the situation … from the waist up of course.

2. Learn and Share Knowledge Broadly ON-LINE — create some of your own content using the numerous free content creation tools and platforms out there, don’t just be a re-tweeter. Its easier than you think plus you’ll get better at it the more you try

3. Test and Iterate ON-LINE- its even easier and faster to run experiments and measure success : Likes, followers, new additions to your network. Just make sure you’re running tests and measuring what’s important in order to achieve your goals.

4. First Impressions Still Count — get a professional headshot, not one that looks like you just woke up. Don’t forget to smile, people need to feel your positivity and your headshot is usually their very first impression of you.

5. Brand Consistency -On-line and Off-line — I see this a bunch as we all try and put our best foot forward, but a headshot that is 10 years out of date or a resume that does not align with your actual skills and experience creates this strange dissonance that will work against you. One day your on-line avatar may need to manifest in space-time.

6. Blend Off-line with On-line — sending someone a written thank-you note is a clear level-up play that will create a memorable impression with people you want to connect with. It takes effort and so few people do that these days you’re sure to make an impression.

I hope you can find a nugget or two to put to good use and continue to connect with people who one day you will get to meet face to face AND without a mask.

Cheers.