In this episode, hosts Merv Jersak and Tim Jerome explore the importance of networking and marketing for project managers. They discuss how networking can enhance project delivery by expanding awareness and sharing information effectively. Key insights include the role of personal branding and its impact on career advancement, the essential marketing skills for project managers, and the significance of fostering human connections. The hosts also reflect on the personal and professional benefits of networking, emphasizing its role in overcoming challenges and seizing new opportunities.

Main Take-Aways

Important reasons as to why the project leader must become a great networker:

• marketing your project and disseminating information
• promoting your reputation and personal brand
• leading your teams and developing relationships
• managing your stakeholders
• creating visibility through purposeful networking
• developing additional skills
• new career opportunities
• building your personal support system
• building confidence
• maintaining relationships

Show Notes

Today’s Project Managers Coffee Chat: Building Bridges – The Power of Networking: Why Should you Network?

00:33 Introducing the topic of WHY you need to learn to be a great networker as a project manager namely, to market your projects and to get information to where it is needed.

01:27 Networking is also a great opportunity for promoting yourself and your personal brand, and for your personal reputation and effectiveness as a project manager.

04:36 Networking is a component of leadership and your ability to develop relationships. It’s a critical factor in your ability to manage your stakeholders’ roles and contributions to your projects.

05:30 The criticality of making time to develop your networking skills and putting networking into practice. Networking creates visibility.

07:08 Some key networking marketing skills: communication, audience analysis, persuasion, using social media, preparing people for change, etc.

09:01 Marketing yourself through networking brings new opportunities, establishes your value, industry knowledge sharing, visibility, and personal growth and influence.

14:25 The importance of networking within your organization and building your own support system.

17:09 Building your confidence and overcoming imposter syndrome through the power of networking and stretching your career opportunities.

18:18 Maintaining long-term professional relationships that were begun through networking.