Networking is like insurance.  It isn't until you really need it to find a new job, for example, that you see how important it is to keep it up to date and in step with your goals. Hitting one's 40s and 50s is when we can begin feeling restless personally and professionally.  Career and life may be in need of some re-invigorating.  What does that mean for our networking strategy?

Here, Marny Lifshen, an expert and author on women's networking, offers some tips on how to breathe new life into your network.

With all of the momentous changes women face in mid-life, perhaps it is not surprising that making revisions to networking habits does not top their “to do” lists.  But at times of major transition – both personal and professional - it is especially important to step back and evaluate your networking goals and strategies to make sure they are still relevant and delivering the results that you seek.

First, a word about networking…why, you may ask, is it so important?  Networking is the process of successfully building, maintaining and leveraging mutually beneficial relationships.  It is for everyone, regardless of profession, age or stage of life and is a necessary part of everyone’s career plan.  While it requires work and commitment, networking can have a significant and meaningful impact on both your professional and personal life.  

Your circumstances, goals, priorities and resources all change over time, so your networking practices should change as well.  Too many of us tend to re-join the same organizations, stay in touch with the same people, and attend the same events year after year simply because it is comfortable.  In fact, we may need very different networking strategies that will help us succeed today and get to where we want to go tomorrow.

You can start to make this change is by reviewing the organizations you belong to, the events you attend and the members of your network – both the inner and the outer circles.  What were your original motivations for getting involved with these groups and building relationships with these individuals?  Have they been an effective use of your time and money?

Now consider your current life situation.  Have there been major changes since you established your networking plan?  Perhaps you have changed careers, relocated to be closer to family, re-joined the workforce, gotten divorced, been diagnosed with a health condition or sent your kids off to college.   Are your networking activities still relevant?  For each networking activity, simply ask yourself, “What do I get out of it, and is that still important to me?”

Perhaps now you want to break into a new industry, develop a new skill set, or meet new friends who share a particular hobby.  There are no “right” networking goals, as long as they are right for you.  As you begin to set your new goals, figure out where networking fits in, and then find the organizations, events and contacts that will help you attain them.  Women in particular may find it hard to let go of old networking activities because they tend to value relationships.  But stepping out of your comfort zone and pursuing new opportunities might be just what you need to find a new job, new friends, or simply as a strategy for re-vitalizing a life that has gotten a bit stale.  

Not every organization is appropriate for lifetime membership. People constantly develop new interests and priorities, and when these changes occur, organizations may no longer meet their needs. Don’t be afraid to move onto new organizations and away from those that no longer are a fit for you. Instead of looking at it as abandoning long-standing relationships, think of it as simply re-prioritizing your time.

It is equally important to evaluate the people who are members of your network, and whether they are helping you reach your goals. You certainly do not have to leave your friends and professional associates behind; just make room for new ones as well.  Times of transition are an especially good time to bring an infusion of new energy into your network, simply by meeting and getting to know new people in new environments.  

The benefits of networking may seem intangible at times, which is why evaluating your results and revising your tactics will help keep you motivated and focused.  Remember, networking is a strategy for helping you establish successful personal and business relationships, whether that means finding a new client, an  investor in your business, a book club or a travel buddy.

Marny Lifshen is an Austin-based marketing communication consultant, author and speaker.  She is the co-author of Some Assembly Required: A Networking Guide for Women, which will be release in June.  Marny specializes in professional services marketing and public relations.  She has also contributed articles and columns to many print and online publications on networking during of her career. Marny is an experienced speaker, and has been speaking specifically to women's organizations for more than ten years including Women in Technology International, Women in Communications and the Young Women's Alliance.  Marny can be reached at www.marnylifshen.com .

 

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