Insight
A strong professional network is not about asking for favors. It is about being useful over time. In supply chain and operations, relationships matter because problems rarely get solved in isolation. When pressure hits, you rely on people you trust, not people you met once.
The biggest mistake I see professionals make is treating networking like a one time activity. They reach out only when they need a job, a recommendation, or help with a problem. That approach creates shallow connections and little trust. A real network is built slowly through shared context, reliability, and mutual value.
Your network should support three things. Learning, opportunity, and perspective. Learning comes from people who challenge your thinking. Opportunity comes from people who understand your work. Perspective comes from people outside your immediate role who see problems differently. When you build relationships with this in mind, networking becomes practical instead of uncomfortable.
Example
Earlier in my career, I worked with a planner in a different part of the organization. We were not on the same team, and we did not report to the same leader. What we did share was a common problem. Demand variability was making both of our jobs harder.
Instead of treating the relationship casually, I made a habit of checking in once every few weeks. Sometimes it was a short message asking how things were going. Other times it was sharing an article or a tool I found useful. Over time, we exchanged ideas, compared approaches, and helped each other think through problems.
A year later, when a new role opened that required cross functional experience, that relationship mattered. He understood how I worked, how I thought, and how I handled pressure. That connection led to an opportunity I would not have found through a job board.
The relationship worked because it was built before it was needed. It was based on shared value, not a request.
Steps or Takeaways
1. Be clear about why you are building your network
Networking without a purpose feels random. Start by asking what you want your network to support.
Examples include:
• Learning how to lead teams
• Transitioning into a new role
• Gaining exposure to analytics or AI
• Understanding how other organizations solve problems
• Expanding your perspective beyond your current function
When your intention is clear, your outreach becomes more natural and focused.
2. Build Relationships Around Shared Problems
The strongest professional relationships are built not just on networking for networking’s sake, but around real, tangible challenges that people face in their work. In the context of supply chain, these challenges could range from planning and forecasting difficulties, supplier reliability issues, logistical constraints, inventory management hurdles, to limitations in systems or technology.
To leverage this, start by identifying colleagues, peers, or industry contacts who are likely to be facing similar problems. Don’t approach the conversation with a generic pitch—focus on understanding their situation. Ask thoughtful, open-ended questions about the challenges they encounter, the strategies they’ve tried, and the results they’ve seen.
At the same time, share your own experiences candidly. Discuss what has worked for you, what didn’t, and any lessons learned. This exchange of practical knowledge creates immediate relevance because it’s grounded in real-world experience. It also builds trust, as people tend to value insights from those who genuinely understand the context of their challenges.
Over time, these conversations do more than solve problems—they foster long-term professional relationships. Colleagues become collaborators, advisors, and sounding boards, creating a network of support that goes beyond transactional interactions. By centering relationships on shared problems, you move from networking to meaningful partnership, where both parties gain value, insight, and mutual respect.
3. Keep the connection light but consistent
You do not need frequent meetings to maintain a strong network. Consistency matters more than intensity. A short message every few weeks is enough to stay connected.
Examples:
• Sharing an article with a brief note on why it was useful
• Checking in after a major industry event
• Congratulating someone on a role change
• Asking a simple follow up question from a past conversation
These small touches keep relationships active without pressure.
4. Track your relationships like you track projects
Professionals track metrics, timelines, and deliverables, but often leave relationships to memory. That creates gaps. I recommend keeping a simple list of key contacts with notes on context, interests, and last touch point.
This is not about being transactional. It is about being intentional. When you remember what matters to people, you build stronger connections.
5. Focus on giving value before asking for anything
A network works best when it is built on contribution. Before you ask for help, look for ways to offer support.
Value does not need to be big. It can be sharing insight, making an introduction, offering feedback, or simply listening. When you consistently add value, asking for help later feels natural, not uncomfortable.
A professional network that actually works is built quietly over time. It does not come from collecting contacts or sending mass connection requests. It grows through shared experiences, honest conversations, and consistent follow through. Real professional relationships are formed when people see how you think, how you show up under pressure, and how you contribute without immediately expecting something in return.
When you invest in relationships before you need them, your network becomes far more valuable. It becomes a source of learning, perspective, and support. You gain access to different ways of thinking, early insight into opportunities, and trusted feedback when you are facing career decisions. More importantly, you build credibility that carries weight because it is based on trust, not visibility.
A strong network also works both ways. The most effective professionals look for ways to be useful, whether that means sharing insight, making thoughtful introductions, or offering help during challenging moments. Over time, this creates relationships that are resilient and mutually beneficial, not transactional.
If you want help building a professional network that aligns with your career goals and supports long term growth, I am here to support you.
