Today’s business world is more interconnected than ever, therefore, most companies have the opportunity to operate on a global scale. However, it is hard to thrive internationally without a solid network in place.
Fortunately, there are various platforms that you can leverage to develop your venture across borders, and to ensure that, once you expand, your operations flow seamlessly. Here, we focus on five resources that are rapidly emerging, and that, as an entrepreneur or business owner, you can take advantage of to bolster your global undertakings.
Before you join
Prior to choosing any of these platforms, you need to consider these three factors:
- What type of industry are you targeting?
- What is your geographic location and what region are you aiming to connect with?
- What is the underlying intention behind your decision to expand your network?
By clearly answering the questions above, you will be able to choose the service that works best for you.
The five platforms for business network
#1 Slack
Originally from the United States, the platform has gained widespread adoption globally, and it has been praised because of its organized channels, integrations, and efficient communication mechanisms. If you are looking to expand your network, Slack is home to many thriving communities that focus on a specific topic, for example, there are channels for iOS developers, digital nomads, or UX designers. Also, many accelerators have booming Slack channels.
#2 XING
Xing is home to thousands of specialist groups, where users can connect and exchange their points of view about topics like Media, Content Management, AI, and more. Because of its origins, the platform is more popular in German-speaking nations including Austria and Switzerland.
#3 Discord
Discord has become a very popular platform, especially for sectors like gaming and decentralized finance. Besides the US, it has also gained extensive adoption in other countries due to its attractive features like live streaming and channel-wide voice and video calls. You can also host group chats about different topics, and gather an enthusiastic community of people who are interested in your industry for impromptu discussions.
#4 Meetup
A differentiating factor about Meetup compared to the other platforms listed above is that people here mostly promote interest-specific groups that get together in person. However, there are many online events advertised on the platform as well. You can also start your own group, so if you’d like to connect, for example, with AI enthusiasts in London, you can start a Meetup group that targets users in that region, and build your network from there.
#5 Shapr
Based in France, Shapr is a platform that leverages AI-powered algorithms to forge professional connections. It has a mechanic that resembles a dating site. For example, if you have shared interests with someone, their profile appears as a suggestion, and you can either swipe right if you’d like to meet them or swipe left if you are not interested. The company has a user base largely located in France, the UK and the United States.
Three simple tips to initiate successful communication
Now that you’ve learned more about the platforms, you have more information to decide your course of action to boost your network. To make this process easier, here are three tips that can help you break the ice effectively, and increase the odds that your initial communications will flow seamlessly and lead to more opportunities.
- Prepare a short intro: We’re all busy. And if you message someone without explaining who you are or why you’re messaging them, you will likely generate confusion. Most people will not take the time to scout your profile or look you up on Google. Therefore, have a short intro ready. The other person will appreciate it, and likely respond back.
- Give people context: If you are reaching out to someone to discuss a business proposition, it is key that you give them context from the get-go, and that you are transparent about what you need. By sharing this information from the very beginning, you maximize the chances of receiving a clear response in return. Do not withhold your intentions, as inauthenticity can be perceived a mile away, and it will damage your prospects.
- Don’t be afraid to follow up: In case you don’t receive a response right away, follow up. As we stated above, we’re all busy, so most people will miss a message here and there. It is perfectly acceptable to remind them about you. Also, this demonstrates that you are genuinely interested in continuing the conversation, as well as perseverance, which can also strengthen your reputation as someone who is on top of things and actively taking action.
