Developing Relationships When Networking

Understanding different relationship stages

People come and people go. The relationship with each person you meet is different but each can be developed into something deeper. Your network relationships are divided into 6 different stages, each requiring different things to move to the next stage. These 6 different stages include:

Accident – This stage involves casual encounters, people you meet whom you’ll likely never see again unless you go out of your way to make it happen. E.g. the person in line with you at a cafe.
Acquaintance – Someone you will occasionally meet, perhaps because they are a friend of a friend. They are aware of you but don’t know any details about you.
Associate – A person who you meet quite regularly but without the intent of meeting them. E.g. a colleague at the office. They will know of you and some rough information about you, and would quite easily be able to get in touch with you to refer you to another person.
Actor – This is someone that knows roughly what it is that you are doing and what you need. They also act on this knowledge and exchange things of value such as connections or information. They begin to look at your character and competence to decide on how deep this relationship should be.
Advocate – This is a person who can accurately tell people exactly what it is that you are doing and are in need of. They recognise your good character and competence, vouching for you when you’re not present.
Ally – These are your closest supporters, offering unconditional support in your business and personal life. This is the person who is part of your inner circle, with whom you’ll meet to discuss major decisions.

Everyone has different objectives when it comes to building the network. Have a think about what you’re trying to accomplish and how your network would look like in your journey.

Being strategic with your network development

Take a minute to grab a pen and paper, and write out 20 of your contacts in your network. How would you describe them in the context of these 6 stages? Which stage do these contacts tend to fit into? Assuming these 20 contacts are representative of your network as a whole, this exercise should give you an idea of where you need to put your focus into and what it is that you have to do. When it comes to developing a relationship into the next stage, here is what you should do:

If you’re looking for more associates – Think carefully about the networking events and organisations you should join, relative to your goals in life, career, and business.
Moving from acquaintance to an associate – Listen carefully and get a better understanding of the details of what it is that they do, what their needs are, and where their challenges lie. Share ideas, insights, and referrals with them.
Moving from associate to actor – Show your value through generosity, and demonstrate your character and competence to them.
Moving from actor to advocate – Involve them more (and more frequently) in your life, continue giving generously, and support them when you can.
Moving from advocate to ally – Maintain confidentiality, honesty, and mutual support, celebrating their successes, and supporting them in challenging times.

Placing your relationships into one of the stages

In order to understand how to get your relationship into a different stage, you must first understand in which stage your relationship lies. Below you can find some questions which will help you categorise your relationship with an individual, as well as questions which will be helpful in understanding what you should focus on to bring the relationship to the next level. You can have a think about how the individual would answer these, but it’s often better to ask them in person.

Do they recognise my name when they see me?
Do they recognise me when they see me out of context? (E.g. a work colleague seeing you in a park with friends.)
Do they know me well enough to accurately introduce me to others?
Have they got a reason for storing my mobile number or email address?
Do they know the name of my company or organisation?
Can they accurately describe what it is I do?
Can they give clear examples of what it is I do?
Do they know what I’m good at and can they give clear examples of why I’m better than others in the same space?
Do they know of any certifications, qualifications, awards I may have which showcases my expertise?
Do they regularly exchange valuable information with me and respond to my requests?
Do they know what kind of clients and opportunities are ideal for me and do they refer any of those my way?
Do they speak well of me to others and pass my name around for opportunities?
Do they regularly refer qualified clients and other opportunities to me?
Do they spend time regularly connecting with me?
Do they treat and discuss my business, career, and life issues with confidentiality, respect, and caring?

It takes about 8 times of meeting someone for them to really understand who you are, what it is that you do specifically, and whether they should trust you. Once that mutual trust is established, the frequency at which you contact each other depends on the relationship you both seek.

Expand your network with ProductivityBears

Applying networking concepts like this effectively can be challenging. That’s where we come in. At ProductivityBears, we specialise in personalising the networking experience to expand your network with as many actors as possible. Our events provide the perfect platform to grow the number of associates in your network with opportunities to transition your contacts into actors.

Ready to expand your network? Get an exclusive discount for our next networking event by booking a call with us! Let’s explore how we can support your networking needs. Let us help you strategically build your network, ensuring every connection counts towards your entrepreneurial journey.

The personalised approach we take ensures you’re not just adding names to your contact list; you’re building a community of like minded entrepreneurs. Join us at our next event and transform your networking efforts into meaningful relationships that support your business and personal growth.