Do you think you are stuck in the bubble of your immediate professional circle?
Networking isn’t easy, and limited interactions often make professionals feel isolated.
What if workspaces could be about desks but also networking? Coworking spaces in Ahmedabad offer just that and a lot more—a vibrant community of people ready to interact and learn, mentors, leaders, and community, all under one roof.
Are you ready to network and grow? Don’t wait any longer—read these tips to make the most of your coworking space networking.
Why is Networking Important for You?
Does networking feel like a forceful chore? Do you hate it?
Many professionals, students, freelancers and executives find networking uncomfortable and phoney. Some even call it brown-nosing and inauthentic.
Although some have a passion for it—let’s call them extroverts—they love and thrive on interactions and social gatherings.
Which side do you associate yourself with – the solo workers or the extroverts? No matter which side you choose, networking is actually very important.
Even though you are not a social butterfly, building connections with the right people at the right time could be a step toward your career and personal growth. Here are some stats and facts to consider.
- According to a 2022 survey, more than 35% of professionals believe that the top factor influencing the likelihood of landing a job is referrals.
- A LinkedIn survey mentions that almost 89% of hiring managers prioritize referrals when filling an open position.
- According to Statista, one in four employees around the world felt lonely when working from home in 2023.
- According to Deloitte, hybrid workers are often less connected to their colleagues working from the office, leading to fewer collaborations.
You may define networking as a mere exchange of business cards. Walking into a room full of strangers would feel like the worst nightmare. However, coworking spaces can help turn these nightmares into new doors of networking opportunities.
How Can a Coworking Space Help with Networking?
During a survey, 79% of respondents said that flexible workspaces played a major role in their business’ success. The reason? Because coworking places are most just a place to work.
From casual conversations and networking events to exchanging ideas over coffee, the benefits of coworking spaces are many. A shared workspace near you makes networking, connecting and collaborating easy. How?
1. Open and Casual Networking Opportunities
Traditional workplaces, homes and cafes usually restrict your ideas. You might have felt stuck in a loop of work or missed out on opportunities because
A. You didn’t know where to start or
B. You rarely get to meet new people
However, unlike formal work settings, coworking spaces offer open and casual networking opportunities. With a much more relaxed and informal environment, you get to enjoy everything, including:
- Your work
- Conversations
- Ideas and visions
- Events and games
Thus, you are no longer restricted to the same set of people or the four gloomy walls of your room. Whether you want to strike up a conversation or get feedback, communal rooms, rooftops and networking events at shared spaces give you every opportunity to network and grow.
2. Community Events and Workshops
Do you feel disconnected? Is there a lack of motivation? Working from home or in a traditional office space limits your opportunities to connect. You’re limited to a smaller circle of people, and loneliness kills your creativity.
That is when community events and workshops become the biggest icebreakers for your blocked ideas and lack of motivation.
During the rhythms of a workday, these events offer a lot of opportunities to collaborate outside your comfort zone.
Events, such as happy hours, coffee meet-ups, workshops and seminars, encourage you to mingle and interact. What more do they offer? You get plenty of opportunities to
- Share ideas
- Build relationships
- Learn new skills
- Meet professionals
- Mentor
- Offer valuable insights
- Make long-lasting relationships (Professional and personal)
The coworking space networking opportunities are abundant, which can directly impact your professional and personal growth.
3. Collaborative Atmosphere
Coworking spaces are not just about going into a cubicle or a physical space to work. These shared spaces do not work like traditional office spaces that are planned, structured and have orchestrated conversations.
Think of them as spaces that bring together people from different groups with different ideas and notions about life and work. Thus, you get an atmosphere, alongside your work, that lets you-
- Collaborate with individuals
- Exchange industry trends
- Learn skills that you once wanted to learn
- Lead to partnerships
- Foster into joint projects
- Find new job opportunities
- Share experiences and knowledge
A collaborative environment in a shared space gives you all these and many more powerful and meaningful opportunities to grow.
5 Tips to Maximize Your Network
Exchanging ideas, making connections and building strong relationships can open many new doors for you and your business. But if a lack of daily interactions, shyness, and other similar factors limit you from networking, we have five quick tips to help you connect.
Despite all the difficulties and challenges, here is how you can master your networking skills.
1. Be Proactive
Take the initiative and introduce yourself. Start with a smile. Smiles are infectious. Strike up the conversation by asking small and basic questions like how the weather feels. Being a good listener with an optimistic attitude sets you apart, it builds trust and your rapport.
Initiating a conversion might feel uncomfortable and hesitant at first, but give it a chance. Being all smiles with a simple hello can take you places because a smile creates a welcoming atmosphere and eases the conversation.
You never know, but casual conversations over a cup of coffee or by the print can lead to valuable friendships, some real advice or life-changing business opportunities.
2. Be Open to Communications
Always be open to communicating, from introducing yourself to pitching yourself. A clear and concise conversation highlighting your skills and your business or a short and crisp chat introducing yourself always makes networking a breeze.
If needed, be prepared for these communications. However, when networking, it is more important to show genuine interest and engage in topics that share common interests than to be a blabbermouth.
Moreover, having open-ended communications and questions can make networking a child’s play.
3. Stay Engaged
Networking isn’t about ending the conversation after the first meet-up. You need to stay engaged and follow up. Nurture the relationship after your initial meeting, and keep these follow-ups thoughtful.
Maybe you can send them a simple thank you note, catch up again for an event or participate with them in discussions. Moreover, by contributing to the overall energy of the space, you can expand your circle.
4. Be Ready to Assist
Like all healthy relationships, networking is also about giving and taking. It’s a two-way street.
- Share your knowledge,
- Offer assistance,
- Give feedback and
- Be proactive in lending a helping hand
You can build a positive reputation and establish yourself by being willing to offer help without expectations. On the other hand, don’t be dubious to ask for help or advice when needed.
5. Attend Events
Coworking spaces offer a golden opportunity for you to network through their community events. So, iron in the fire by actively participating in these social and community events.
These events will contribute to your social well-being, help you exchange ideas, meet people from all walks of life, boost your confidence and help you broaden your visions.
Conclusion
New faces, fresh ideas and endless opportunities. Coworking spaces provide plenty of reasons, occasions, and moments to build your social and professional networks.
Are you looking for a coworking-managed office space in Ahmedabad that lets you do more than tick-mark your to-do list? Contact us today to network and make the most of your work hours.
FAQs:
Q1. How do I grow my professional network?
A: Grow your professional network with these strategies:
- Promote your skills
- Showcase your personality
- Build and maintain strong relationships
- Regularly engage with your network
- Be active on social media, like LinkedIn
- Join Groups
- Attend Community Events
- Keep growing your connections
- Be open to conversations
Q2. How does networking improve your professional opportunities?
A: Networking can help you build connections with people from different communities. From influential industry experts and leaders to freelancers and entrepreneurs, you can gain a new understanding of what is happening in your profession and industry and learn more about your competitors or emerging opportunities.
Q3. How can I expand my professional connections?
A: Networking events, whether online or in-person, offer invaluable opportunities to connect with industry leaders, potential hiring managers, and mentors. Find a shared space near you, and do not miss out on the chance to build lasting connections that propel your career forward.
Q4. What are the 10 benefits of networking?
A: Networking is crucial for career and personal growth. Long-term relationships and a good reputation can potentially help you in the long term. Here are 10 benefits of networking:
- Improved business connections
- New perspectives and ideas
- Career advice and support
- Access to resources
- Inspiration
- Confidence
- Lifelong relationships
- Personal growth
- Business growth
- Job opportunities
Q5. How to overcome networking challenges?
A: Feeling nervous about networking? Don’t worry. Everyone else is there to network, too, and they likely share similar feelings. Ease into it by starting with smaller groups or individuals and gradually moving to larger gatherings.
Overcome shyness and introversion by introducing yourself and starting with casual conversations. Do not take rejections personally, and manage your time strategically between working and networking.
