Does the culture of your organization support internal networking? That's a critical component in any effort to build a networking within your company, and I'll point to Baber and Waymon's thoughts as a jumping-off point for discussing the intersection of culture and networking. More specifically, consider the following questions:
* Do senior managers recognize the importance of internal networking? Do they spend time reaching out and building relationships with people across the organization?
* Is training on networking provided, and is it considered a vital part of the regular work day?
* Is participation in cross-functional teams and other efforts with individuals across the organization considered a regular element in your organization's approach to business?
* Are networking activities included in your activities/goals, and are you assessed on your efforts to network internally as part of your regular performance review? Are you acknowledged/rewarded when your networking contributes to the success of the organization?
(Six related posts continue this discussion of internal networking. Check out part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5, part 6, and part 7 (this post)).
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Assessing the Strength of Your Network
How strong is your internal network? Answer the following questions, adapted from Baber and Waymon's article, to help you assess the network you've established within your company.
* What people do you know at different levels of the organization? Do they know you? Your name? What you do?
* Do you know all people with whom you come into contact either directly or indirectly while performing your job? Do they know you? Your name? What you do?
* Do you participate in any cross-functional or interdepartmental activities?
* Do you quickly find out what's going on in the company, particularly through informal channels?
* How do you connect with people at work? Do you seek out and take advantage of opportunities to meet face-to-face to address complex problems and plan/implement projects?
* Do you talk regularly with colleagues about your work and industry trends that affect it?
* Do you stop by your co-workers' work areas to say hello and socialize, even if you don't need anything?
(Six related posts continue this discussion of internal networking. Check out part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5, part 6 (this post), and part 7.)
* What people do you know at different levels of the organization? Do they know you? Your name? What you do?
* Do you know all people with whom you come into contact either directly or indirectly while performing your job? Do they know you? Your name? What you do?
* Do you participate in any cross-functional or interdepartmental activities?
* Do you quickly find out what's going on in the company, particularly through informal channels?
* How do you connect with people at work? Do you seek out and take advantage of opportunities to meet face-to-face to address complex problems and plan/implement projects?
* Do you talk regularly with colleagues about your work and industry trends that affect it?
* Do you stop by your co-workers' work areas to say hello and socialize, even if you don't need anything?
(Six related posts continue this discussion of internal networking. Check out part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5, part 6 (this post), and part 7.)
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Why It's Important to Network Within Your Company
Anne Baber and Lynne Waymon identify several reasons why it's important to network within your company in their article in Canadian HR Reporter. I'll share them here, along with my thoughts.
1. To keep in touch with what's going on in the organization (for example, reorganizations, new staff/management, business development)
2. To help the organization improve its bottom line. Even if you're not in sales. It's everyone's responsibility to help the organization succeed, in all ways that success is measured.
3. To venture into white spaces, or those areas between boxes on the organizational chart where projects are passed from one individual or department to another.
4. To improve organizational effectiveness and break through bureaucratic bottlenecks. Collaborating with others on projects not only can help your organization in many ways, but it provides opportunities for you to meet and get to know others with whom you might not have regular contact.
5. To expand your knowledge base. Identify what you need to know to perform the job you have now, in terms of individuals and resources.
6. To create your safety net. Your goal is to have opportunities come to you, and the way to make that happen is to reach out to others.
7. Identify what ways you can help the organization in addition to your current position. What special skills do you have that might be needed in your company? What can you do to let others know about such talents?
I'll share more from this article in subsequent posts. In the meantime, I welcome discussion on the issues outlined here.
(Six related posts continue this discussion of internal networking. Check out part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5 (this post), part 6, and part 7.)
1. To keep in touch with what's going on in the organization (for example, reorganizations, new staff/management, business development)
2. To help the organization improve its bottom line. Even if you're not in sales. It's everyone's responsibility to help the organization succeed, in all ways that success is measured.
3. To venture into white spaces, or those areas between boxes on the organizational chart where projects are passed from one individual or department to another.
4. To improve organizational effectiveness and break through bureaucratic bottlenecks. Collaborating with others on projects not only can help your organization in many ways, but it provides opportunities for you to meet and get to know others with whom you might not have regular contact.
5. To expand your knowledge base. Identify what you need to know to perform the job you have now, in terms of individuals and resources.
6. To create your safety net. Your goal is to have opportunities come to you, and the way to make that happen is to reach out to others.
7. Identify what ways you can help the organization in addition to your current position. What special skills do you have that might be needed in your company? What can you do to let others know about such talents?
I'll share more from this article in subsequent posts. In the meantime, I welcome discussion on the issues outlined here.
(Six related posts continue this discussion of internal networking. Check out part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5 (this post), part 6, and part 7.)
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