Last week, I arranged for a small meet-up with my industry connections over breakfast. It was an exciting process that led to the breakfast meet-up, where I had first to muscle up and prepare a list of individuals whom I would like to call for the meet-up and would share more details in the blog, but what took me by surprise that initially, 20+ individuals said yes however on the day only 7 of us showed up. While some can say it was disappointing from a turnout perspective, from my point of view, it was a pretty good turnout. I did, though, get my friend Ronny Sequeira (Top 10 photographer in India) to come and share his learnings in creativity and what we can apply in business skills. What didn't please me, though, is that many folks backed out because they didn't seem to network being important or had other conflicts.

It got me thinking, why don't people network? Is Networking essential or relevant in 2022? The answer is very much a big "Yes." With so many changes and advancements in technology, the way we do business is changing too. And with so many new and innovative ways to connect with people and companies, Networking will be more important than ever to stay ahead of the curve. During that day, I learned so much from the individuals who had shown up during the event. More importantly, it became an extensive learning exercise rather than just an excellent breakfast and coffee.

If you haven't read the book - "Never Eat Alone," I would highly recommend you do so as it teaches you so much about networking and mastering the art of it. Thanks to my Podcast guest - Deepshika Kumar, who not only introduced me to the author Keith Ferrazzi but also gifted me the book.

The last two and a half years have taught me that just resting on my past laurels doesn't help me in my current and future path. I need to constantly learn not from the knowledge in the digital world but also others, as each of us has our share of learnings and perspectives, which collectively can be massive to help us prepare for the future.

“But why Networking in Business is the biggest question?”

Staying ahead of the curve in business

Today's DUCA (Disruptive, Unpredictable, Complex, and Ambiguous) environment is not helping us, as there are no past data or scenarios which are helping us to analyze the current and also help prepare for the future. Suppose you are a business person and or part of the organization. In that case, it is imperative that we are ahead of the business to plan, execute and reap the benefits of our endeavors. However, staying two steps behind or in line with the business doesn't help the company, employees, consumers, partners, and other stakeholders. One must have enough empirical data and qualitative inputs to stay ahead of the business. Staying ahead of the business helps build confidence in your day-to-day activities and strategic priorities, thereby allowing you to be more successful as a leader and executive of the company.

Networking abilities empower you to stay ahead of the curve.

Networking with like-minded individuals from your industry or even different industries would allow you to gather a ton of qualitative data points which would enable you to excel and ensure that it helps you stay ahead of the curve. With technology and other elements like AI changing so rapidly, keeping up with all sources we have is just unimaginable. More so, prioritizing what would impact and what wouldn't further be a dilemma for each of us.

Networking is essential for staying ahead of the curve because it allows you to learn about new technology and advancements as they happen. By being in contact with other professionals and businesses, you'll be able to get a head start on adopting new technology and using it in your own business. Networking is also essential for building relationships and connections that can help you in the future. When you need help or advice, you'll have a network of people to turn to.

Some tips on what I have learned from Networking:

Networking is one of the most important things you can do to stay ahead of the curve in 2022. Here are a few tips on how to network effectively:

1. Make an excellent first impression. When you meet someone new, make sure you come across as friendly and approachable. Smile and make conversation, and try to find common ground.

2. Don't be afraid to reach out. If you see someone you want to connect with, don't hesitate to reach out to them. Introduce yourself and offer to help them with whatever they might need.

3. Follow up. When you meet someone new, follow up with them afterward. Stay in touch and keep building that relationship.

4. Don't restrict or confine yourself to individuals from your industry alone; allow yourself to connect and engage with individuals who aren't part of the same industry.

5. Focus on learning and building connections rather than trying to sell or a monetary gain.

6. Know whom not to network with, as others aren't operating with the same intention as you are

7. Declare your intention to ensure that others feel comfortable speaking to you rather than keeping their guards up in front of you

So make sure you're well prepared for 2022 and beyond by getting out there and networking as much as possible!

How to have a fulfilling career?

Learning shouldn’t stop, focus on growth and strengths….

I have now been working for the last 22 years, and my career has been rewarding. If someone asks me today if I had a chance to redo it again, what would change? I would say that probably it would not take me 22 years to get where I am, and probably would have done it in less than a decade. I am not saying experience is not important, experience provides one scenario and opportunities to learn. However, If I had to shape my career and work on a path, I would do it differently.

This is the same question I get asked by many individuals within my teams or I come across. They want to know how can they also get to where I am or similar to my position within the corporate ecosystem. Well, there are a few things which I have worked on and found to be successful and at the same time have observed in others. I would talk about the topic of ‘Observation’ in the other Power Series.

There are some critical steps or evaluations I recommend to individuals which is a leaf from my own growth book:

The big goal: I always recommend to folks to take a step back and dream. What is your ultimate level within the corporate ecosystem you would like to achieve? Often than not, the rat race makes each one of us focus on the next level, which we end up spending our time and energy on. Once we achieve that, we are left again dissatisfied as you want to prepare for the next immediate level. My advice has always been aiming higher and look for an aspirational role. Everything in between your current and the future state would automatically come as you are preparing for a larger role.
Know your strengths and harness them (your ‘I’): Everyone is unique and we are not built equal. Each one of us needs to identify our strengths and more importantly what we are passionate about, also what makes us happy? The self-learning and identification process enables an individual to map the strengths. Once identified, my recommendation is to get so good at it that you would like to see yourself as the best and if you perform on the stage for that skill/strength, you would win it.
The goal maps and completes your T (the ‘—’ line for ‘T’): Once you have identified your big goal, and map the path, it is important to understand and research the various skills you would require to be successful in that big goal role. You don’t need to be great or expert in each of those skills, but awareness and how do those come together for the jobs to be done.

This awareness and building of ‘T’ have enabled me, my industry peers, as well as people whom I admire. More importantly the ‘T’ needs to evolve and cannot be static or set in stone as due to the VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous) nature of the world we live in, it is critical to constantly evaluate (preferably every year) to map and understand what makes sense to be part of the ‘T’ and what needs to add/drop.

If you have counter thoughts or have recommendations for the readers would like to hear your feedback or suggestions. Chao..

An Important Conversation About Networking, Staying Ahead of the curve in 2022 and beyond