Since the beginning of humanity, social interaction has been the cornerstone of our survival. Early humans banded together, fostering a form of community that allowed them to hunt, eat, and grow. Over time, they developed social skills that would establish the rich, complex, connected communities we all live in today. Today, where life is about more than hunting and surviving the night, social interaction remains at the heart of how far we can go; we call it networking now.
According to Investopedia, networking is the exchange of information and ideas among people with a common profession or special interest. [1]
Traditionally, networking is how professionals climb the career ladder. We all understand that the deeper you go into your work, it’s less about what you know and more about who you know. The truth is, it’s a combination of the two factors that make one successful in any career-based or business endeavor. With aggressive shifts in how, when, and most importantly, where we work, networking is still essential; but it looks different. Social well-being, extending professional and personal knowledge, and exchanging ideas are just a few entries on the long list of networking advantages.
Coworking is having a moment in the labor movement as the primary option for professionals and entrepreneurs working remotely. As coworking offers space for people across industries and employment types, they are becoming hubs for a different kind of networking that’s more effective for the growth professionals need right now. Here are some ways Milwaukee professionals can utilize Ambition Center MKE to enhance their network.
15. Attend Hosted Events
Through Collaboration Corner and other community connections, Ambition Center MKE regularly hosts events. These events cover a variety of topics and industries and are great for meeting other members and networking with industry experts.
14. Host Your Own Event
Entrepreneurs and freelancers have an abundance of knowledge and information to share within the coworking community. If you’re in this category and you’ve racked up on a handful of important need-to-knows or you can help answer questions for people getting started in your industry, offer to facilitate a workshop. You’ll meet other members and community individuals interested in or working in the same industry.
13. Meet New Members
There are always new faces joining the Ambition Center MKE community. If you’re not a newbie (even if you are), make it a point to introduce yourself to new members. Offer to help them adjust to the space and you make a powerful, lasting impression and a potential connection.
12. Be Open to Collaboration
Ambition Center MKE promotes a communal, supportive environment. We remove the competitive element that’s common in traditional offices, and make it easier for individuals to develop healthy positive bonds that foster collaboration over competition.
11. Diversify Your Connections
At Ambition Center MKE, our space is suitable for professionals, entrepreneurs, and freelancers from all walks of life and industries. Everyone who uses our office to co-work aids in making Ambition Center the diverse hub it is. Being a member gives you access to safe, inclusive office space for remote work while providing unlimited opportunities to build high-quality, mutually beneficial relationships with different people and employees.
10. Pay Attention to Who’s in the Room
Coworking offers unique opportunities to see who is good at what. It removes the guesswork from networking; it’s easier to be strategic about who you develop relationships with. It also makes it easier for other people to see what your business or brand is about, and how they can work with you.
9. Spend Less, Make More
This doesn’t only apply to money. Networking in the time before coworking involved a lot of scheduled events and conferences which can eat into your budget and your free time. Coworking is more cost-effective and allows you to network easily while you work. Two birds, one stone.
8. Be Helpful
Building a powerful network isn’t just about finding people who have something to offer you; you also have to connect to people and give. Networking and connection are two-way streets. Offer assistance to members where you can or introduce two members who may not know each other but could benefit from the connection. Things like this can only strengthen any connections you make.
7. Get Social With Fellow Members
If you know who the other members of the coworking community are, don’t hesitate to find them on LinkedIn and make a connection there as well. If you’ve been paying attention, you'll know the names and occupations of enough members to help enhance your online network.
6. Promote Yourself
When you’re in business for yourself, you know that how far you go depends on the level of marketing. Ambition Center MKE is a good space for bringing promotional materials like business cards or flyers. Have these placed around the center to give members and visitors information on you and what you do. This way you bring the connection and networking to you.
5. Be a Friendly Face
Don’t be afraid to say “hi” and strike up a random conversation. All networking begins with a conversation, so make sure you’re positioning yourself as friendly, and approachable.
4. Work in the Social Areas of the Office
When your job or work doesn’t require silence and solitude, make an effort to visit the open and more social areas of the coworking office. Here is where it’s natural for conversation and connection to flow.
3. Be Approachable
If you’re an area where other members are coworking and socializing, take your headphones out and join in. People are more likely to approach you for conversation when you look like you’re open to that.
2. Ask Staff for Help
The staff at Ambition Center MKE are available to help make the right connections. Here at the office, we value community and networking and relish the opportunity to support our members in developing important working relationships with each other.
1. Utilize All Office Space
If your membership includes a private office, that doesn’t mean you can’t sit in the common coworking areas throughout the day. Make it a point to regularly visit all spaces in the office. You never know who you’ll meet or who’s waiting to talk to you.
Professionals, business owners, and other workers have quickly learned to shift with the constantly changing labor market. We’ve already adjusted to remote work and found that it can offer more pros than cons. The next hurdle is adapting our views on networking. Ambition Center MKE has developed an inclusive, diverse community where members can cultivate relationships that improve their careers, support positive social well-being, and expand and transform their personal and professional lives.
What is Ambition Center MKE?
Ambition Center MKE Coworking is the northernmost private office and coworking space in Milwaukee. We offer daily tours of our space.
We are located at 530 E. Vienna Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53212.
Our team would love to meet you ... book a tour today!