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Paul Williamson is from Deloitte »Waterstons' senior consultant, Anna Ferguson talks about the power of networking...
When you stop and think, it’s amazing how crucial productive relationships can prove to be, both in business and personal life. I have now been with Waterstons for nearly 9 months, and in this time forming new relationships has reaped benefits. Through a stronger relationship with Microsoft we have become one of the first four partners in the UK to obtain their new Search accreditation, which gives us exposure on their website. Another new partner has chosen us to be one of the companies they’d like to help grow, and will work with us to generate new leads.
In one of my former roles at the Investment Bank, Goldman Sachs, relationship building was deemed so important that we were given networking training. This was delivered by Victoria Legge-Burke, Lieutenant, Royal Victorian Order (L.V.O) who was formerly Lady-in-Waiting to HM the Princess Royal and is currently Executive Director for LAMDA (The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art). Goldman Sachs, being a fairly aggressive establishment, made no apology for the fact that successful networking and relationship building would lead to rapid advancement in the company, and even encouraged us to pick a Managing Director (MD) for a mentor. I still remember Victoria coming armed with a large, floppy plastic fish in order to demonstrate how NOT to shake hands! She was certainly a character, and made a lasting impression on most of us, but her lessons were invaluable.
I’m sure most people can think of examples from their personal life too where work contacts, friends and family can help to make things happen. Certainly when I made the move from London to the North East, my personal contacts were crucial in helping me to slot in quickly to a happy new life and to fulfil my personal ambitions. These days, it’s even easier to keep in touch with personal and professional networks such as Facebook and LinkedIn.
Relationship building can be overlooked as a rather frivolous activity, but certainly so far in my professional and personal life it has been the key to a number of successes. It’s also good fun!
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