A few days ago, we wrote a post about 5 networking tips on the logistics market. It explains how to make networking when working in the logistics market, but if you could get some tips to do it in your personal life, would you do it?

On the last few years, the personal life and work life have changed in a way that they are almost the same thing. When talking about networking, these two sides get event closer, so if you work in the logistics market, you don’t have much of a choice!

Networking is basically building relationships, whether in a logistics event, a group of friends or family, work, or a group with a common interest. Relations between people are very important for social welfare. These relationships we build along with our lives that will enrich our personal and professional life.

We have prepared 5 tips to make networking in your personal life:

1. Be yourself

The first step to start a network is to be yourself. Every relationship, regardless of its purpose, starts with knowledge and respect for the skills and weaknesses of each. Want to show something you are not, will not bring any success.

2. Get out of your comfort zone

Go to places that you don’t usually go and talk to different people. You will be amazed by the knowledge you can acquire with this new experience. A great and easy idea to do that in the logistics market is to add someone from a freight forwarding partner of the one you work on skype and start chatting! You will find amazing new information this way and get out of your comfort zone!

3. Start a conversation with a stranger

Many people have difficulty to start a conversation with a stranger. Overcome shyness, is important to start any network. Communicate! Talk to other people and discover common interests. A good place to do it is in a logistics event, where you can find companies from all over the world, and meet people with completely different backgrounds that can help you to see the world differently. Twig Logistics Network organizes annually its logistics event, to check more, click here.

4. Join communities, forums and discussion groups

If talking to a stranger is still a barrier for you, start on the online environment. Today there are thousands of discussion groups about different topics on the internet. Find some of your interest and start the relationship with these people virtually. When you feel comfortable, suggest a live meeting with these new contacts. On LinkedIn you can find amazing logistics groups where you can meet people from all over the world without leaving office or home! Check out some groups you could join:

• International Trade 2.0 – Import & Export
• Logistics Network
• Logistics and Supply Chain professionals
• Inspired Supply Chain & Logistics Executives
• International Freight Forwarding
• The Logistics & Supply Chain Networking Group
• International Freight Forwarders & Logistics Group WorldWide
• Supply Chain ASIA
• Logistics Executive – The hub of your global supply chain.
• Supply Chain Movement
• Transport & Logistics
• International Freight Forwarders
• Africa Supply Chain, Logistics & Transport
• Dubai Freight Forwarders
• Freight Forwarding Professionals

5. Attend events of your interest

Search events of your interest that will happen in your city or near you. Besides adding knowledge on the subject, you can make contact with people who already have at least one interest in common with you. These contacts can become good friends. You can find some events in the logistics business, this way you learn more about your market, meet different people, and has a chance to make some business. There are some freight forwarder networks that organize these kinds of events like Twig logistic network organizes once a year Twig Talk. You can take an overview of our last conference and see more details about the next one by clicking here.

To relate to different people, be allowed to hear some of their life stories, know their problems, their goals, their culture, know their weakness and qualities can bring you answers to personal questions.

All this help us to deal with the different, to respect each other and to face the challenges in life. Propose yourself always make a new contact. Seek to increase your network constantly and see how this act will help you grow personally and professionally.

If you want to know how to add the “networking way-of-thinking” into your freight forwarder, please contact us.