– Building Your Brand Series V - Networking begins with Netgiving

– Building Your Brand Series V-

Networking begins with Netgiving 
(Canadian Immigrant Magazine June 2012)

While coming to Canada brings so many new experiences and discoveries, one thing we had to leave behind was our network. A finely created and cultivated group of friends, family, peers, batch-mates and others.

Back then, ask me to organize an elephant for your road show, or a rocket scientist to vet your child’s summer project and things would get done. If I did not know the person myself, you bet I had someone in my network who did. 

In Canada, they say the job market is a hidden one, 85% of all good jobs are sourced out of networks and yet, we immigrants sadly had to leave ours behind.

No wonder one of the biggest things new Canadians have to strive towards is the build our network. But sadly, not all of us are trained, equipped or even know how to begin. Things happened naturally in the course of life back then that resulted in our network but here in Canada, we do not have that luxury of time. So network we must, much like the bitter pill that you have a take and each individual goes about it in his or her own peculiar manner.

Very early on, I faced this dilemma and had to find a way to address it.

And that is where the notion of Netgive gave rise. I use the power of netgiving to build my network. Much as you have a first name and a surname, think of Netgive as the first name of network. People remember you by your first name and that is what gives you your character - different from your parents and siblings who carry the same surname. And so you shall also be known by your netgiving to build your network.

Netgive is using online media to help give things to others. After my first three months of journey in Canada, I created a 35 page document called Tips for Newcomers to Canada. Online, I distributed this to anyone who would ask for it and by word of mouth, more and more people began to write in and request for a copy. Some websites decided to load it on their sites and my network spread. Over 2000 requests have come in since then.

Then, using the LinkedIn platform, I established a group called ‘Jobs in Canada’ as a forum where people can share resources and tips with each other. Today, the membership has crossed 4500 people. 

I also used Google groups to open a group called India2Canada for families migrating to be able to share stories, tips and advice with each other. This grew to a community of over 200 families.

Then, as my business took me into the realm of multicultural marketing, I used LinkedIn again to start a group called the Multicultural Marketing Society of Canada. This is a forum for the fraternity to share views and news on the subject and has crossed 650 members in just 6 months.

All examples of using the net to create networks and to build your brand by giving something back. When you help someone else, they rarely forget you. The point of view when trying to build your network is to ask the other, “How can I be of help to you?” And not “What can you do for me?”