Abstract
Wherever you are in your healthcare career or business, whether you are about to start a business, searching for a co-founder, moving to be new job or any other status – networking can be your life support. It can propel you to the next opportunity, and aid you in your professional growth. It would enhance you at a personal level as well. Networking for the healthcare professional is all important and one needs to network diligently and get connected with peers and groups in order to succeed. In this article we bring you the details of how to get the best out of networking events and what’s needed from you to make use of these for a successful career or to run a healthcare enterprise.
What are the pre requisites for successful networking in any sector?
Crucial for success in networking and in developing lasting relationships is being genuine in all your actions. One has to be patient and must listen carefully while understanding the needs of others. True networking happens when you spend your valuable time with people who are able to communicate and discuss with you matters that are close to your heart – namely your business and area of expertise. For good networking one has to work in tandem with other active professionals, which enables you to increase your network and to learn something new every time. Networking is not an activity done to get the next job. We network to get smarter, to build value around ourselves and our areas of expertise, to make new friends, and to increase our credibility in our professional community. It also enables us to be useful to others and to enjoy work outside our job.
Expanding your network – how do networking events help healthcare professional in achieving this and how to go about this
How to expand your network? There are a number of ways, chief among them being attending networking events where you can meet people. While networking events around healthcare are the best, one need not avoid other industry events. For instance, your local Chamber of Commerce may be having an event for people from all sectors to be able to connect and network. This, while not being directly related to healthcare can still give you an opportunity to network with peers and people who may need your services and vice versa.
How would one know if the people who are at the event are related to healthcare in the particular area that interests them?
The answer to that question is – one does not know. But on the other hand you do not also know who these people will be connected to. People you meet at the event may be known to the people in your area of expertise who may be interested in getting in touch with you. Also, no matter how small the area is, you never know who is involved in what. For instance, someone in your area may be:
● A lawyer who represents a doctor or a local hospital
● An investor in a medical group
● Someone on the board of directors of the hospital
● A member of the hospital auxiliary
● A chiropractor, a physician, or other health care professional
● The public relations or advertising agency for the hospital
There are other civic bodies and not-for-profit groups that offer a great networking platform as well. Several of these events have media coverage which allows you to add these media people to your network. Those who utilise every opportunity to meet more people regularly
will have a larger network very soon. The purpose of building a network is to come out of your comfort zone. If you remain with people you are already acquainted with, you will never get the opportunity to meet new people from varied backgrounds and other fields. By meeting new people continuously you will surely meet people with the right connections. After all you never know who would be connected to whom.