Networking in the New Age

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Networking in the New Age
Who could have imagined the current trends in the workplace a mere 20 [right number?] years ago? Social Media was a gleam in someone’s eye and networking relied on relationships built on common interest and proximity. “Who you know” and “word of mouth” marketing was the currency of social networking and professional advancement. Meeting in shared work settings was a regular and time honored way of building professional rapport. And joining a company was often a life-long commitment on the part of both employer and employees.

And now? It’s a totally different workplace environment from anything we could have imagined. Keeping in touch can literally be a ‘remote’ experience, finding your professional cohort entails a vast ‘search’, and the constantly changing needs of the market place shortens job relevancy, so that people find themselves, changing jobs and even careers with a heretofore unknown rapidity.

How to keep up with this dizzying reality? Here are a few hints gleaned from my own research:

  1. Open your mindset to a life of learning. Gone are the days where once learned professional skills lasted a lifetime. Whether your work involves data, processes, or tools, the rate of change is rapid these days. Keep current with new trends and innovations. There is always more to learn.

  2. To help with the above, identify the change-makers in your professional landscape, and be in touch with them for information on what’s cutting edge in your field and what is falling to the wayside of relevancy.

  3. Be brave. Remember the definition of courage is feeling fear but going ahead anyway. The fast pace of changes in the marketplace can feel overwhelming. However, an active curious mind, due diligence in keeping your skills current and an openness to innovation when it appears will give you the flexibility to make fast pivots when necessary.

The comfort of the old and well worn pathways have given sway to a constantly renewing landscape. A little scary? Possibly. Full of excitement and possibility? Definitely.