Networking: Colleagues and Professional Associations

NETWORKING: COLLEAGUES AND PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
1
NETWORKING: COLLEAGUES AND PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Name of student
Professor
Institution
Course

NETWORKING: COLLEAGUES AND PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
2
PART A
Networking is an activity undertaken to facilitate exchange information and ideas among
individuals or groups who share common interests, for social or occupational purposes. This
process is aids in development of the professional contacts which is responsible for enhancing an
individual’s future career and business prospects. Business networking entails establishing
mutually beneficial relationships with other business people or with potential customers (Österle,
Fleisch, & Alt, 2016, p. 243). This provides an essential opportunity of gaining new clients or
partners, joint ventures and the necessary gap which promotes expansion of the business.
Networking is a fundamental for career success, it more beneficial to begin building
networks by attending and actively participating in the networking events. There are several
potential networks, but for the purpose of this task we are going to analyze colleagues and
professional or occupational associations as opportunities of networking. Exploring the strengths
and weakness of each of the opportunities employed to develop contacts (Bennett, Owers, &
Tucke, 2014, p. 143).
Colleagues; these are a group of people who work together to achieve common a
common objective. Networking with colleagues is essential for professional advancement: it
easier for some people to freely interact with their fellow workers but for others it is an equally
challenging endeavor. It is wise to begin with your existing contacts as it provides probable
opportunity for expanding the network. Then next step entails moving from the people you know
already to those you have not met yet (Baule & Lewis, 2015, p. 217).
Networking with colleagues within an organization has been the game changer in-terms
of the unfolding opportunities. It helps an individual to get on top of their career by receiving
information and ideas from different co-workers from different levels and departments within the
organization. The risk of time wastage is attached to this opportunity of networking (Bennett,
Owers, & Tucke, 2014, p. 142).
Professional association is a body comprising learned occupation who are devoted to
supervising and safeguarding the practice of the occupation. They pay attention to the public