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Networking— some people hate it; others love it. No matter where you fall on that spectrum, networking is an important part of professional development. Everyone has a network. Think about people you know well, such as family, friends and colleagues. You also have countless acquaintances: regular visitors to the facilities you maintain; members of your church; parents of your kids’ friends and teammates; members of professional associations you are part of and more. The act of networking involves nurturing relationships you already have while proactively capitalizing on opportunities to expand your network.

So, how do you do this? If you are interested in using your network for professional growth, think about the type of information you’ d like to acquire from your network, such as innovative management practices, more industry connections and job opportunities. Additionally, consider the knowledge, information and opportunities you can share with others.

Networking is a two-way street— it’ s important to give as much as( or more than) you receive. Therefore, when having conversations or communicating online, aim to learn what others need. If you have information that might be helpful in fulfilling that need, share it; hopefully, your connections will do the same!

Networking can be done in person or online, and can be very natural in many situations— such as at an annual industry conference or via LinkedIn. However, you are likely to engage your network every day without even realizing it. Each conversation you have with someone you already know or with new people you meet is an opportunity to build your network.

Professional memberships

Think about the professional associations you belong to— such as the Sports Field Management Association( SFMA), or the National Association of Landscape Professionals( NALP). Take full advantage of the opportunities offered through those memberships. Attend meetings, conferences, outings and training sessions as often as possible. While there, ask people questions to learn about their facilities, jobs, needs and goals. If possible, swap business cards or connect via LinkedIn to add new contacts to your network. Follow up shortly after the interaction with an email, LinkedIn message, text or phone call to further solidify your professional relationship.

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