As publicists, we have the honor of working with outstanding clients who are at the highest levels of their fields. Many such professionals hail from Europe and have gifted us with insider wisdom that comes from establishing, operating, and maintaining businesses in European locales.
One such gem that came up time and again in our various discussions was Monaco, the petite country with monumental applications as a model for professional networking and business growth.
This editorial adventure explores the beneficial, crucial relationship that networking and connection-building hold with the business world, supported by first-hand portrayals from my own experience and that of our outstanding clients'.
The advice I share here has been tried and true throughout my professional career and is a common thread connecting all CEOs and business professionals that are at the top of their games. Time and again, relationship-building proves to be a primary tool for business growth in all fields.
Building solid relationships in your niche takes time, practice, and dedication. For some, it comes naturally, requiring minimal planning, while others have to be a bit more diligent in honing their skills. In either case, networking and nurturing your connections are hugely beneficial, no matter your career level.
We invite you to read on to discover the benefits of relationship management, best practices, and why you should take a leaf out of Monaco's book.
'It's All About Who You Know'
We must begin by remembering that clichés are there for a reason. The oft-uttered phrase, 'It's all about who you know,' has led many astray but, in its essence, rings true. Let me explain:
We often hear that young entrepreneurs and business professionals are intimidated by the 'who you know' expression. This intimidation places too much emphasis on networking as a measurable metric, seeming to be the be-all, end-all of a young professional's career.
What begins as an off-the-cuff remark provokes a kind of forced friendship with said blossoming professional on the edge of their seat, hoping to reap the rewards as soon as they get their hands on someone's personal phone number that they admire.
As we venture through life, making mistakes and learning from them, we can look back years later and see how 'who we know' manifested itself on its own, without our misguided pushes. The idiom then becomes a descriptor of our success path rather than a goal for which to fight.
'Who you know' becomes an off-the-cuff phrase we can utter to the next unsuspecting, impressionable youth, and the cycle lives on.
Perhaps a lesson we cannot explain into understanding for those who have yet to experience it, my primary piece of advice is for unsure individuals to step back and evaluate how they treat the peers in their circles. If one is more concerned with how one can serve one's peers rather than the other way around, one's internal compass is pointed in the correct direction.
'Who you know' forms naturally. People in your network soon transform into real friends with whom you can be professionally candid. That is where the magic happens, and a locale such as Monaco — with its rich culture, proficient business owners, and fellow millionaires — is the perfect setting to experience and hone those serendipitous occurrences.
Why Authentic Relationships Matter
The fascinating thing about relationship-building is that the results are organic and impossible to predict.
A connection in whom you have high hopes for returning your timely investments may turn out to be less advantageous than you'd expected. You may become best friends with a person that has nothing to offer you but a genuine friendship that you will come to treasure over the years. A seemingly low-value relationship may have a secret professional weapon they are willing to share with you.
The possibilities are endless and must be approached with an abundance mindset! Hint: None other than Monaco, with its bustling population of fabulously successful people, is a better location to practice this mindset and watch your acquaintance channels unfold.
Pay it Forward
None of us who operate flourishing businesses can say we got to where we are today entirely on our own. We were all aided by someone, be it through mentorship, partnership, or financial support. The secret is to remember that we've been helped and give the next generation the same value where we can.
Being able to provide value for others at any point in your journey is one of the benefits of nurturing relationships — and one of the most pleasing side effects of feeling that you 'finally made it.'
Monaco: Leading by Example
As a final note, we must applaud Monaco for taking great pride in ensuring its economic health withstands any turbulence occurring in the rest of the world, as it has done for centuries. It cares for the economy within Monaco by nurturing its professional relationship with other countries. In the same vein, it leads with value on a macro scale, allowing us to view gargantuan relationship-building efforts as templates for our own mortal pursuits.
We challenge you to look through your proverbial Rolodex and notice to whom you can send some value this year. You never know what could transpire.