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Tag: networking

  • The power of networking in business and forging meaningful connections

    The power of networking in business and forging meaningful connections

    Mumbai: Networking is a crucial skill for success in business. It allows you to build relationships, get introduced to new opportunities, and gain insights and advice from others. However, networking effectively goes beyond just showing up to events and collecting business cards. It’s about creating and nurturing mutually beneficial connections. Here are some tips on utilising the power of networking and forging meaningful relationships in business:

    Focus on giving first, not just taking

    The most effective networkers approach relationships with a generous mindset. Look for ways you can offer value to others through your expertise, connections, or support. Help make introductions between people in your network who would benefit from knowing each other. Share interesting articles, tips, or other useful information with your contacts. Don’t just look at what someone can do for you.

    Build rapport and trust  

    Take time to establish rapport with key contacts. Get to know them personally beyond just professional titles. Build trust by being reliable, honest, and showing interest in who they are as individuals. Follow through on commitments you make and recommend others only if you truly believe there is a good fit. The stronger the rapport, the more willing contacts will be to help you out.

    Stay visible and connect regularly

    Don’t just reach out to your network when you need something. Maintain regular contact to nurture relationships over time. Periodically send updates on your latest projects, make phone calls to catch up, and connect face-to-face when possible. Look for opportunities to provide value to others along the way. The more engaged you are, the more likely your contacts will think of you when an opportunity arises.  

    Listen and ask thoughtful questions

    When connecting with new contacts, practice active listening skills. Learn about their experience, interests, challenges, and goals. Then engage them with thoughtful, open-ended questions to uncover areas where you may be able to collaborate, make helpful introductions, or support them in other ways. Take a genuine interest.

    Expand your circles

    Look for opportunities to meet new people and add fresh connections to your pipeline. Attend industry events, conferences, and seminars that put you in front of different audiences. Engage fellow attendees before and after events. Follow up afterward to continue the conversation. Over time, you will organically build an expanded, diverse network.

    Create win-win opportunities

    The most meaningful connections are grounded in finding mutual benefits. When you successfully bring together the right people or resources, you add value for everyone involved. Brainstorm creative ways to generate these win-win scenarios that allow you and your contacts to help each other move forward. This could include job opportunities, speaking engagements, new client introductions, press exposure, funding connections, or beneficial partnerships.

    In business, who you know is very important. But it’s the strength and reciprocity within those relationships that generate the greatest returns. Be strategic and thoughtful about cultivating your network. The more you can forged meaningful connections based on trust and generosity, the further it will take you.

    The author of this article entrepreneur and RiSAA IVF and CEO Dr Saarthak Bakshi.

  • GUEST ARTICLE: LinkedIn creates new marketing avenues in the digital space

    GUEST ARTICLE: LinkedIn creates new marketing avenues in the digital space

    Mumbai: As a business leader, you know that the world of marketing is constantly evolving. The advent of digital technology has created new opportunities for reaching potential customers, and LinkedIn is one venue that should be on your radar. LinkedIn offers unique features that can help you connect with more prospects and create powerful relationships with key decision-makers. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the advantages of LinkedIn marketing and show you how to get started. So read on to learn more.

    Exploring the digital space to create new marketing avenues 

    In today’s digital age, businesses need to find new ways to reach their target audiences. Social media, online advertising, and email marketing are all effective tools for connecting with customers. However, businesses must also be proactive in exploring new digital spaces to ensure that they are not missing out on potential opportunities. For example, platforms like Snapchat and Instagram have become increasingly popular in recent years. Businesses can reach a whole new audience by creating content specifically for these platforms. Similarly, businesses can use data-driven insights to identify emerging trends and develop innovative marketing strategies to stay ahead of the competition. The key is to always be on the lookout for new ways to connect with customers and stay ahead of the curve.

    Top 5 digital spaces to explore while creating new marketing avenues 

    Digital marketing has revolutionised the way businesses reach and engage with their audiences. There are many digital spaces to explore when creating marketing campaigns, and the options can be overwhelming. To help you get started, here are five of the top digital spaces to explore:

    1. Social media: With over 2.8 billion active users, social media is one of the most powerful marketing tools available. It allows you to connect with your audience on a personal level, build relationships, and boost brand awareness.

    2. Search engine optimisation (SEO) is vital for driving traffic to your website and ensuring that your content is visible to your target audience. Optimising your website and content for search engines can increase your visibility and help you reach potential customers.

    3. Email marketing: Email is still one of the most effective marketing channels available. It allows you to reach a large audience with personalised messages and keep them updated on your latest products and offerings.

    4. Pay-per-click advertising (PPC) is a great way to drive targeted traffic to your website. By bidding on keyphrases relevant to your business, you can ensure that your ad is seen by people who are interested in what you have to offer.

    5. Content marketing: A successful digital marketing campaign requires high-quality content. Creating informative and engaging content can attract new visitors to your site and build trust with your audience.

    Linkedin as one of the best digital spaces to explore as your marketing avenue 

    With over 650 million users, LinkedIn is one of the largest and most popular social networking sites available today. LinkedIn provides a platform for networking, building relationships, and sharing information with other business professionals. It can also be an effective marketing tool. When used correctly, LinkedIn can help you build your brand, generate leads, and connect with potential customers. If you’re looking for a digital space to explore as your marketing avenue, LinkedIn is definitely worth considering.

    Value-add provided by LinkedIn 

    LinkedIn can be an extremely effective tool for marketing, provided it is used correctly. One of the key advantages of LinkedIn is that it allows businesses to target a very specific audience with their marketing messages. Through its networking features, LinkedIn also provides businesses with a way to build relationships with potential customers. In addition, LinkedIn can be used to generate leads and drive traffic to a company’s website. Finally, LinkedIn offers businesses a way to track their marketing campaigns and measure their return on investment. Used consciously, LinkedIn can be an invaluable tool for any business looking to reach a wider audience with its marketing messages.

    Other ways in which LinkedIn can be put to use by companies are:

    • LinkedIn allows users to connect with other professionals in their field and develop relationships that can lead to business opportunities.
    • Individuals and companies can use LinkedIn to establish authority and credibility.
    • LinkedIn can also be used to post job openings, which can attract new applicants. It also helps build brand awareness, boost employee advocacy, and create specialised company pages for different products and services.
    • In addition, LinkedIn has groups and forums where users can discuss industry news and trends.

    This makes LinkedIn an ideal platform for marketing purposes. By creating a profile and engaging with other users, businesses and individuals can create a presence on LinkedIn that can lead to new opportunities.

    LinkedIn is a powerful tool for B2B marketers and should be included as part of your social media marketing mix. With over 500 million users, LinkedIn offers a wealth of opportunities to reach your target market. If you’re not using LinkedIn, now is the time to start. 

    The author of this article is Vajra Global CEO Ganapathy Sankarabaaham.

  • Sheryl Sandberg logs out from Meta after 14 years

    Sheryl Sandberg logs out from Meta after 14 years

    Mumbai : Sheryl Sandberg has decided to step down from her position as a chief operating officer at Meta, ending a stint of 14 years at the tech major- the parent organisation of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, among other subsidiaries. Sandberg will leave the company this fall, after transitioning her direct reports over the next few months. She will, however, continue to serve on Meta’s board of directors.

    Announcing on her Facebook page, Sandberg wrote a detailed, candid post about her time at the networking conglomerate. She also shared anecdotes of her initial struggles and work-life there, even as she recounted the highs and lows of her personal life during the period.

    Today, I am sharing the news that after 14 years, I will be leaving Meta, she wrote. Talking about her initial days at the company, formerly called Facebook, Sandberg penned, “When I first met Mark, I was not looking for a new job – and I could have never predicted how meeting him would change my life. We were at a holiday party at Daniel L Rosensweig’s house. I was introduced to Mark as I walked in the door, and we started talking about his vision for Facebook. I had tried Facebook, as it was first called, but still thought the internet was a largely anonymous place to search for funny pictures. Mark’s belief that people would put their real selves online to connect with other people was so mesmerising that we stood by that door and talked for the rest of the night.”

    Sandberg also touched upon the ongoing debate around privacy concerns in social media in her post, saying, “The products we make have a huge impact, so we have the responsibility to build them in a way that protects the privacy and keeps people safe.”

    Talking about her future plans, she continued further, “When I took this job in 2008, I hoped I would be in this role for five years. Fourteen years later, it is time for me to write the next chapter of my life. I am not entirely sure what the future will bring – I have learned no one ever is. But I know it will include focusing more on my foundation and philanthropic work, which is more important to me than ever given how critical this moment is for women.”

    “Over the next few months, Mark and I will transition my direct reports and I will leave the company this fall. I still believe as strongly as ever in our mission, and I am honoured that I will continue to serve on Meta’s board of directors,” she added.

    Calling it “The end of an era”, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg responded to Sandberg’s post, writing: In the 14 years we’ve worked together, you’ve architected our ads business, hired great people, forged our management culture, and taught me how to run a company. I’m going to miss working alongside you every day, but grateful to have you as a lifelong friend.

    “Thank you for all you’ve done for me and my family, for our company, and millions of people around the world. You’re a superstar,” he further added.

    Prior to joining Facebook in 2008 as its COO, Sandberg was vice president of global online sales and operations at Google.