Building A Networking Strategy

How I rebuilt my network after moving to the Gold Coast [and why it’s now more intentional - and more valuable - than ever before] One of the biggest challenges I see with my clients? They’ve outgrown their old network … But haven’t built their next one. They’ve done 'the right work'. ✔ Stacked experience ✔ Gained credentials ✔ Delivered results But when it’s time to raise capital, land board seats, or step into strategic industry leadership - They realise they don’t have the right people around them to make it happen. I’ve been there. First when I left my FMCG career and pivoted 180° into recruitment - an industry where network is everything. I knew people. The problem was that no one knew me for where I was going next. So over the last 12 years, I’ve been experimenting with what I now call intentional influence— A diversified network of decision-makers, allies, and advocates. [A framework I also teach in the Trusted Authority program.] Here’s what I’m doing differently now: What’s changed? The platforms. The pace. The players. What hasn’t? The fundamentals: proximity, reciprocity, and trust. Here’s how I’m doing it now [and what most people overlook]: 1️⃣ I stopped trying to ‘get in the room’. I built my own. → Invite-only panels → Niche advisory circles → Small private events Proximity > popularity. It’s not about how many know you - it’s who knows your value. 2️⃣ I stopped saying what I do. I started showing how I think. Your point of view is your shortcut to positioning. People don’t follow you for your title. They follow you for your perspective. 3️⃣ I started investing in relationship capital. Not more contacts - more context. I reached out to 10 existing LinkedIn connections I’d never actually spoken to. → Sent a quick voice note → Referenced their work → Asked nothing in return The right relationship is a strategy - not a coincidence. Trust isn’t built by adding followers. It’s built by how you show up - especially when there’s nothing to gain. If you’ve outgrown your old network - it might be time to build the one aligned with your next chapter ... #TrustedAuthority #LeadershipBrand #StrategicNetworking #RelationshipCapital #ExecutivePresence

The RSA Conference is next week! 🎉 It's a whirlwind, so having a plan is key. Here are my top 5 tips to help you make the most of your time: 1. Plan Your Sessions and Expo Hall Visits: The RSAC agenda is packed. Take some time before you arrive to browse the sessions, keynotes, and workshops that align with your interests and professional goals. Use the conference app or website to build a preliminary schedule. Similarly, identify the exhibitors in the expo hall you definitely want to see. This will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed and ensure you prioritize what matters most to you. 2. Network Strategically: RSAC is a prime opportunity to connect with industry peers, potential partners, and thought leaders. Don't just collect business cards or LinkedIn connections; aim for meaningful conversations. Attend networking receptions, Birds of a Feather sessions, and even strike up conversations while waiting in line. Before sessions start, you can just introduce yourself to those around you. Be prepared with a concise intro and what you're hoping to gain from the conference. Follow up with key connections after the event. 3. Stay Hydrated and Comfortable: You'll be doing a lot of walking and talking. Wear comfortable shoes, bring layers as conference center temperatures can fluctuate, and most importantly, stay hydrated. Carry a reusable water bottle and refill it often. Taking care of your physical well-being will help you stay focused and energized throughout the day. 4. Embrace Serendipity but Stay Focused: While having a plan is crucial, be open to spontaneous opportunities. A chance encounter in the hallway or an intriguing booth you stumble upon could lead to valuable insights or connections. However, don't let serendipity derail your primary goals. If a session you planned to attend is starting, get there early to avoid the line and get a good seat. Meet the speakers in the hallway after the session. 5. Take Notes and Follow Up: You'll be exposed to a wealth of information. Bring a notebook or use a note-taking app to jot down key takeaways, interesting ideas, and action items. After the conference, review your notes and prioritize follow-ups with the people you met and the insights you gained. This will help solidify your learning and turn connections into lasting relationships. I hope to see you at RSAC! For those not able to attend, I look forward to meeting up with you next time. Reply with your tips and any questions.

In today’s interconnected world, 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 has become an invaluable skill for professionals at all levels. Building and maintaining meaningful relationships can open doors to new opportunities, foster collaboration, and drive personal and professional growth. Here are some key strategies for effective networking: ① 𝗕𝗲 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲: Authenticity is key in building trust and rapport. Approach networking with a genuine interest in others, and focus on creating meaningful connections rather than just expanding your contact list. ② 𝗔𝗱𝗱 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲: Think about how you can contribute to others before seeking what you can gain. Offering help, sharing knowledge, or connecting people can make you a valuable contact and strengthen your network. ③ 𝗕𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲: Don’t wait for networking opportunities to come to you. Attend industry events, join professional organizations, and engage in online communities to expand your reach. ④ 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮: Platforms like LinkedIn are powerful tools for networking. Regularly update your profile, share insightful content, and engage with others’ posts to stay visible and relevant. ⑤ 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗨𝗽: After meeting someone new, follow up with a personalized message to reinforce the connection. Staying in touch and showing appreciation can turn a casual acquaintance into a lasting professional relationship. ⑥ 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗠𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀: Look for ways to create win-win situations. Networking should be mutually beneficial, where both parties gain value from the relationship. ⑦ 𝗕𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁: Building a strong network takes time and effort. Be patient and persistent, and remember that quality is more important than quantity. Strategic networking is more than just collecting business cards; it’s about creating a supportive community where knowledge, opportunities, and growth are shared. By investing in your network, you invest in your future success. 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙛𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙚𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙣𝙚𝙩𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙟𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙮? 𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙞𝙥𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙬! Ruta Pathak Santosh v #Networking #ProfessionalGrowth #BusinessConnections #StrategicNetworking

Do senior executives remember your name and your contributions?   Want to reach the C-suite by 2030? It starts with building genuine connections. I've watched many talented colleagues hit the mid-career ceiling in their late thirties. They mastered technical skills but missed something crucial. Amit, an ambitious middle manager in a global MNC, believed this myth too, until his VP pulled him aside after he was passed over for promotion to Director of Operations. "Your results are impressive, but no one in the leadership team feels they truly know you," she said, sliding his appraisal report across the conference table. "You haven't built genuine connections with senior executives." Amit met me disheartened, with a long face reflecting his disappointment. He seemed to carry a dark rain cloud over his head, with dim light, pouring cold water over his bright ideas and thoughts. I recollected a workshop I had attended with Paritosh Pathak. He advocated a different approach – building connections by taking a genuine interest in others. This revelation had transformed my approach. Building meaningful connections isn't about distributing your visiting cards, collecting 100+ LinkedIn contacts or sending generic "touching base" emails. It's about demonstrating an authentic interest in others and creating tangible value in your interactions. I shared this approach with Amit. When Amit meets colleagues now, he asks specific questions about their department's 90-day objectives. He listens attentively to their challenges around resource allocation or cross-functional coordination. Then he follows up with relevant assistance: sharing a helpful article about their industry challenge, introducing them to a contact who solved a similar problem, or offering 30 minutes of his expertise on their upcoming project. This is a long-term approach, and it works. It takes time to yield results. The fruits of your value addition may come from an entirely different source, and not just from the person to whom you added value. This unique approach prevents you from becoming just another ambitious climber with impressive metrics but forgettable impact. Try this tomorrow: When speaking with a senior colleague, ask about their most challenging current initiative. Then deliver something valuable soon, where possible,  which directly addresses that challenge. You'll transform from a networking participant to a memorable relationship-builder – someone executives naturally envision in their inner circle. The career ladder narrows dramatically at the top, but genuine connection-builders are precisely those, who senior leaders want beside them when making consequential decisions. What is your approach to building deeper connection with others? Do share in the comments. #CareerCoach #LifeCoach #ParitoshPathak

Too many businesses make the mistake of trying to appeal to 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦—and end up connecting with 𝘯𝘰 𝘰𝘯𝘦. Businesses that start with a clear niche gain traction faster, build brand authority, and create real momentum before expanding into broader markets. I’ve seen this firsthand in music, tech and cannabis. I am launching a wellness platform for a deeply engaged audience: Gamers. We are aligning with their needs, leveraging existing gaming communities and influencers, and creating packages designed specifically for them. Here’s why this works: ✅ 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 = 𝗙𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵   Gamers are already online, passionate, and looking for ways to optimize their performance and well-being. By meeting them where they are, we don’t have to fight for their attention—we just have to deliver value. ✅ 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀   Rather than building from scratch, I’m tapping into a 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘀. This allows for rapid adoption and organic credibility within the community. ✅ 𝗡𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝘀 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆   When you solve a specific problem for a defined audience, you become the go-to brand in that space. Master your niche first, and expansion becomes much easier. This is a playbook that works across industries. Whether it’s wellness, tech, or consumer goods, the fastest way to scale is 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄, 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱. Who is your niche audience? Are you serving their specific needs—or trying to reach too many people at once? #scalingwellness

The most effective networkers understand a fundamental principle that distinguishes meaningful professional relationships from transactional interactions: they prioritize contributing value before seeking assistance.   Effective networking strategies focus on mutual benefit:   Pre-Event Research: Identifying attendees and understanding their professional challenges, recent achievements, or industry focus areas where you might offer insights or connections.   Value-Forward Conversations: Initiating discussions around industry trends, sharing relevant resources, or offering introductions to valuable contacts rather than immediately discussing personal career needs.   Strategic Follow-Up: Connecting post-event with thoughtful resources, articles, or introductions that address specific challenges discussed, rather than generic LinkedIn requests.   Long-Term Relationship Building: Maintaining consistent, value-driven contact with your network through sharing relevant opportunities, insights, or connections throughout the year.   This approach transforms networking from a series of favor requests into genuine relationship building that creates reciprocal value over time.   Professionals who consistently offer value before seeking assistance develop networks that actively support their career advancement because those relationships are built on mutual benefit rather than one-sided need.   The strongest professional networks emerge when individuals position themselves as resources for others' success rather than solely focusing on their own advancement needs.   What strategies have you found most effective for creating mutually beneficial professional relationships?   Sign up to my newsletter for more corporate insights and truths here: https://lnkd.in/ei_uQjju   #deepalivyas #eliterecruiter #recruiter #recruitment #jobsearch #corporate #networking #professionalnetworking #relationshipbuilding #careerstrategist

Stop treating relationships like vending machines. Put in a favor, and expect a reward to pop out immediately. Newsflash: Real connections aren't built on "I scratch your back, you scratch mine." They're about genuine care, shared experiences, and mutual support. Want a network that'll have your back when you're starting or looking for your next venture? Ditch the transactional mindset. Instead of the "long time, no talk, need a favor" approach, try this: "Hey! How's life treating you? Let's catch up and hear what you've been up to." Take an interest in others, be curious, and learn from them. Invest in people, not just potential returns. The strongest networks are built on years of authentic interactions. Remember, the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now. Building genuine relationships is easier than you think.

I received a call yesterday from a good friend, an executive director at a thriving law firm.  We’ve known each other for years and while we ended up discussing business, it started my wheels thinking about relationships and how they build a business in professional services. After years of focusing the best marketing techniques in professional services, I always revisit one theme. Building strong relationships is key to developing a firm, and growing a practice. While having excellent skills will always be table stakes, the strength of a relationships is also an essential component. One thing is clear: it's all about the relationships we as individuals build and nurture. Here are five tips to strengthen those connections that matter to you. 💡 1.    Lead with Empathy Understanding what your clients or prospects are going through is crucial. It's not just about the business side—it's about seeing the bigger picture of their challenges and successes. When you truly empathize with others, it deepens trust and connection. 💡 2.    Find Common Ground We all have shared experiences—whether it's career paths, mutual interests, or personal milestones. Finding those commonalities can make the conversation more comfortable and genuine, helping to build a solid foundation for the relationship. 💡 3.   Care About Their Success It's not enough to focus solely on your own goals. You have to genuinely care about the other person's business, and that means understanding their industry, their pressures, and their needs. 💡 4.   Show Interest In-Between the Transaction A relationship built solely on a deal or a single litigation (even if the dollars are significant) is transactional, generally with a beginning and an end. Show interest in their life outside of work, and stay in touch with them in-between matters. 💡5.  It’s a Long Game Building strong relationships doesn’t happen overnight and there is no magical system that works the same for everyone. Follow up regularly, stay in touch, and show you’re consistently thinking of them. Relationships need nurturing, and this level of attention proves that you’re not just there for a quick win—you’re in it to support them for the long haul. Relationships are at the core of everything—whether you’re building a practice or growing a larger business.

Nearly 50% of B2B sales start with a networking interaction. And over 40% of in-person meetings result in new customers. 🤯 But most companies just wing it at events even today with no real plan to maximize the opportunity present at a relevant event. I am sharing the top 6 tips for startups to get the most bang for your buck from industry events and conferences: 📍Research the event itself to make sure it is relevant for you - Consider if you have the opportunity to learn. - Recognize if you would meet the right people. (Customers, Investors, Potential Co-Founders/Employees) If the answer is yes to both, those are the events to focus on. Pro-tip: If you and your co-founder are going, you must split up. One of you can focus on meeting people, while the other person can attend the presentations to learn from the best in the industry. 📍Set Expectations - Events don’t lead to closed-won deals immediately. - Set the right expectations so that even the most successful events don’t feel like failures because you did not get 50 customers at the event!!! (A Founder I know actually felt this way) 📍Research Attendees - Know before you go. - Research Attendees on LinkedIn. Using event hashtags for this is a good idea. Large conferences like #Saastr actually have separate networking platforms like #Braindates that list attendees. You can even host presentations with this. Use every possible way to set meetings upfront. 📍Don't go Just to Sell Go to learn, and go to provide value. Focus on the connections you’re making. Keep it real. You'll attract a lot more interest that way. 📍Follow Up Fast Connect within 24 hours with everyone you met, and set up follow-ups at 2 and 4 weeks. If there is a hot lead, those need to be actioned while at the event itself. In multi-day events, I usually set up my follow-up meetings on the 2nd or 3rd day of the event. 📍Track ROI correctly Calculate ROI over 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. See what works to guide future event spending. Events are invaluable for startups, but you must have a plan to maximize ROI. Follow these tips to turn events into a consistent source of new sales! #b2bsales #followups #networking #leadgeneration