You have just arrived in a new country and want to develop your professional network?
The idea of starting from scratch can seem daunting.
However, many strategies are available to you to establish solid connections.
Navigating a new environment takes time and perseverance, but there are levers to help you. Even before leaving your home country, certain actions can facilitate this transition. Using social media is a major asset for meeting local professionals. Finally, getting involved in French-speaking communities in your new country can greatly accelerate your integration.
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Why Developing Your Network Internationally is Essential
In a globalized world, developing your network internationally has become a major asset for professionals looking to broaden their horizons. An international network allows not only access to new professional opportunities but also an understanding of the cultural and business nuances specific to each region. By cultivating relationships with people from diverse backgrounds, you will increase your visibility and be able to leverage the varied knowledge and skills of your contacts.
A strong international network can also facilitate opening up new markets for your business. For instance, if you are considering expanding your activities in Asia or the Middle East, having local connections can help you navigate the specific regulations and expectations of these markets. Moreover, international networking fosters innovation by allowing the sharing of ideas and best practices between different professional cultures.
Finally, a diverse network strengthens your resilience in the face of economic and geopolitical challenges. By having contacts spread across different parts of the world, you reduce your dependence on a single market and increase your chances of overall success.
How to Create a Network Before Leaving
Preparation is key to creating a strong network before you expatriate. Start by updating your LinkedIn profile to announce your intention to settle in a new country. This lets your current contacts know that you are available for international opportunities and can attract relevant connections. Don’t hesitate to make your first contacts before your departure by participating in online forums or joining professional groups related to your field of activity.
Digital resources greatly facilitate this process. Use platforms like CEO Coaching International to access tools and advice on international networking. The French community abroad is often very close-knit, which can help you gather many contacts even before you set foot on the ground.
It is also recommended to contact your former colleagues or classmates before leaving. Organize a reunion or create a dedicated group to exchange information and advice. This proactive approach will provide you with a support network as soon as you arrive in your new country.
Using Social Media to Expand Your Professional Network
LinkedIn is the essential platform for professional networking. In addition to connecting with your current acquaintances, join groups specific to your host country and participate actively in discussions. Regular activity on LinkedIn increases your visibility and allows you to make yourself known to influential professionals in your field.
Moreover, Facebook can also be an excellent tool thanks to its expatriate groups. For example, the group FemmExpat offers useful addresses and contacts for those settling in a new country. Local groups like SingaFrog in Singapore or The French in Berlin keep you informed about events and networking opportunities in your area.
In addition to international networks, don’t forget specialized platforms like Vistage. Vistage appointed Loay Elkhouly as president of a new executive group in the Middle East, thus offering unprecedented perspectives for CEOs in Asia. These platforms are valuable resources for establishing strong and relevant professional connections.
The Benefits of Alumni Networks and Professional Clubs
Alumni networks and professional clubs are powerful levers for developing your international network. Prestigious grandes écoles and universities often have networks abroad, facilitating connections with established professionals in various countries.For instance, ESSEC Alumni offers dozens of Chapters by country, while institutions like École des Mines de Paris and Polytechnique have representatives in many European countries, the United States, Canada, and even South America.
Furthermore, groups like Neoma Alumni regularly organize networking events around the world, offering many opportunities to meet professionals sharing similar interests. Participating in these events not only expands your network but also provides valuable insights into local professional practices.
Additionally, if you have participated in programs like VIE or VIA, the Club VIE offers workshops, conferences, and afterworks that enhance your professional network abroad. If your former school does not have an organized network, you can create your own Alumni network in your new country by contacting your former classmates and organizing meetings.
Creating Your Own Professional Network Abroad
If no network exists yet in your host country, you have the opportunity to create your own network. This initiative requires boldness and determination, but the benefits are considerable. Start by assembling a diverse and dynamic team made up of newcomers, local expatriates, and professionals from the country. Involving locals allows you to better understand the market and adapt your approach based on cultural and business specificities.
Once your network is established, regularly organize networking events such as workshops, conferences, or afterworks. These gatherings promote the exchange of ideas and best practices while strengthening the bonds between network members. Vistage is an excellent example of this, with its initiatives aimed at connecting business leaders internationally.
Finally, expand your network to other local and international communities. Actively communicate about your professional projects, share your successes, and keep your network informed about your activities. A good dose of open-mindedness, motivation, and courage will help you build a quality professional network capable of supporting your growth and success internationally.
Practical Tips for Maintaining and Expanding Your Network Internationally
Maintaining and expanding your network internationally requires a proactive approach and continuous effort. Here are some practical tips to achieve this:
Be proactive: Don’t settle for passively attending networking events. Take the initiative to meet new people, propose collaborations, and regularly follow up with your contacts. Reciprocity is essential to establishing strong and lasting relationships.
Understand local customs: Each country has its own codes regarding communication and business. Take the time to observe and analyze local practices to avoid missteps and maximize the impact of your interactions. Respecting cultural norms is a mark of respect and fosters harmonious professional relationships.
Recruit local experts: Enlisting professionals from the targeted country can greatly ease your integration and networking efforts. These experts know the market specifics and can help you adapt your networking strategy accordingly.
Learn the local language: Although English is often used in international business, learning the language of the host country can offer you a significant advantage. It not only facilitates communication but also demonstrates your commitment and respect for the local culture.
In addition, don’t hesitate to use your company’s internal and external resources to develop your network. Your colleagues, clients, and suppliers may have valuable connections abroad that you can leverage to expand your professional network.
Finally, prioritize in-person meetings whenever possible. Face-to-face interactions strengthen bonds and allow for a better mutual understanding, which is essential for building trustful relationships. Participating in local events, visiting your contacts’ businesses, and organizing informal meetings are effective ways to solidify your international network.
Success Stories in Developing International Networks
Many professionals have succeeded in developing a network internationally by following similar strategies. For example, Loay Elkhouly was appointed president of a new executive group in the Middle East by Vistage, allowing him to broaden his perspectives in Asia and strengthen his global network.
Thus, the co-founder and former CEO of YayPay joined CEO Coaching International as a partner and coach, leveraging his network to offer quality coaching services internationally.
These examples demonstrate that the key to success lies in the ability to seize opportunities, build strong relationships, and remain engaged in the continuous development of your professional network.
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FAQ – Developing Your Network Internationally
A: Update your LinkedIn profile announcing your upcoming arrival and make your first contacts before your departure. The French community abroad is close-knit, which facilitates making contacts even before your settlement.
A: Join the international networks of your school or university, participate in networking events organized by alumni, and don’t hesitate to create your own Alumni network in your new country if necessary.
A: LinkedIn is the main platform to use. Join groups related to your host country and be active. Facebook can also be useful due to its expatriate groups that offer good addresses and networking opportunities.
A: Yes, networking in your own language can facilitate exchanges and represents an accessible first step. It also helps to better understand local particularities and activate a local network later.
A: FIAFE, UFE, ADFE, as well as clubs like French Tuesdays in New York or Apéros Frenchies in Frankfurt. Participating in activities of French high schools or the Alliance française can also be beneficial.
A: Surround yourself with diverse profiles, target newcomers and established expatriates, involve locals familiar with the market, and broaden your network to other local and international communities.
A: Networking allows sharing knowledge and skills, seizing professional opportunities, increasing your visibility, and strengthening your confidence in yourself and your business.
A: Be patient, understand local customs, recruit experts from the targeted country, be proactive, place human relationships at the heart of your strategy, and learn the country’s language if necessary.
A: Yes, learning the local language facilitates networking, enriches personally, and helps to better culturally adapt, thereby reducing the risks of misunderstandings.
A: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket, choose quality partners with whom you can establish trust links, and ensure that their working methods align with yours.
