Back to Basics: Networking Inside Your Company
By: Shawna Lake
Tags: Networking, Company Culture, Friends At Work, Internal Networking, Onboarding

The internet makes it so easy to connect with someone in Kuala Lumpur you may forget about the guy in the next cubicle or on your team, but you haven’t seen in months. However, each day, the colleagues who work by your side provide some of your best opportunities for developing close friendships and gathering constructive feedback.

Boost your job satisfaction and advance your career by schmoozing closer to home. Consider these suggestions for internal networking.

Internal Networking for Everyday Situations

1. Lend a hand. Being generous will help you develop strong relationships around the office (or virtual office). Volunteer your services when a colleague is trying to meet a tight deadline. Share your expertise on how to close a sale.

2. Take the initiative. Cultivate a reputation for going the extra mile. Earn trust by being a top performer.

3. Speak up. Conflicts rarely resolve themselves. Talk issues over promptly and tactfully before they grow into more serious clashes that can undermine goodwill.

4. Communicate face to face. While it’s quicker to text or send an email, face-to-face discussions have many advantages. Let others know you value them enough to spend time with them. A personal touch increases engagement.

5. Listen closely. Give others your full attention. They’ll appreciate your interest, and you’ll learn more about them. That knowledge will help you ask relevant questions and avoid misunderstandings.

6. Share a laugh. Lighten up. A joke or funny comment can relieve stress and make your boss look forward to having you drop by.

7. Eat together. If you’re usually swamped with paperwork or phone calls, take advantage of lunch hours. Lunch or coffee breaks may be in person or virtual.

8. Show you care. Simple gestures can show your coworkers that they matter to you. Remember their children’s and pet’s names. Tell them that you hope they’re feeling better when they are ill.

Internal Networking for Special Occasions

1. Mingle at office parties and log into virtual happy hours. Maybe you have a position where your interactions are limited to the same few people each day. Use special occasions to extend your circle. Chat with a peer in another department.

2. Participate in staff meetings. Staff meetings will fly by more quickly when you take an active part in the proceedings. Thank the accounting department for explaining the new timesheets. Share what you learned at a business roundtable.

3. Ace your orientation. If you’re new on the job, ask your supervisor to point out a stellar employee you can emulate. Make them a top priority for your internal networking.

4. Greet new hires. If you’ve been on the team for a while, go out of your way to welcome the newcomers. Your extra efforts will stand out when they’re trying to memorize a ton of new names and faces. Plus, teaching is an excellent way of learning, so you may pick up a few pointers as you guide them around.

5. Transition gracefully. While you’ll probably move on to another organization, eventually, your last days can be a productive period when you adapt your relationships to changing circumstances. Exchange contact information and make specific plans to stay in touch instead of counting on having lunch someday.

There’s much more to networking than handing out business cards. Connecting with colleagues inside your company can be just as important as participating in any trade show or Meetup group. Building genuine relationships with your office mates will strengthen your network and make your work more meaningful.

Reflect on your networking approaches and results.