【商業智慧】研究：人際網絡可帶來更高的薪資和晉升機會，4步助你拓展人脈、發掘新機遇 Study finds networking can lead to higher salaries and promotions. 4 steps to help you master networking and discover new opportunities

無論過去抑或現在，如果你因為要拓展人脈而感到不自在，請別擔心，你並非孤單。其實與人認識可以是一種享受，它能幫助你建立真正的聯繫、交換知識和技能，甚至幫助別人。

在工作上，擁有專業的人脈關係更是有莫大裨益，例如有助職場生涯、爭取更高薪金、獲得晉升機會，尤其當你認識不同職級、不同公司的人，就可以快人一步得悉新機會。同時，如果你表現出色，獲上司提拔的機會就會增加。研究顯示，透過與人互動取得有價值的資訊和見解，可以讓你的工作表現更上一層樓，獲得更高薪資和晉升機會。

如果你不知從何建立人脈，最好的方法就是嘗試聯繫鮮有聯絡的人。研究顯示，聯繫鮮有聯絡的人很可能讓你得到有創意的意見。所以不如行動，找兩至三個長時間少聯絡的人，開始嘗試與他們重新建立聯繫。

而除了找工作，你也可以透過無償地向他人傳授知識、技能、建議或專業知識，從而與他人建立更深層次的聯繫，說不定他們會在將來報答自己。

當然，每個人都有所不同，如果你不喜歡與人閑聊，不如只專注於深入兼有意義的對話，而研究亦顯示，即使是首次見面，大多數人偏好親密的交談，話題不妨從別人工作中最有價值的部份、別人想要解決的問題，甚至別人最喜歡和最厭惡的事情入手，這可以讓社交體驗更愉快、更有效。

此外，知道自己想學甚麼非常重要，就從「橫向聯繫」的角度切入，多認識自己公司的同事，尤其相同職級的人，在這些聯繫取得新技能和各方意見，這有助重塑個人工作表現，讓你接觸到公司其他領域的機遇。

簡單而言，認識不同職級、公司內外部的人，你就更有可能第一時間洞悉機會，這無論對個人或職業發展，都有相當的好處。

Are you struggling to understand networking, or have you tried and found it to be transactional and uncomfortable? Don't worry, you're not alone. Networking can be an enjoyable way to make genuine connections, exchange knowledge and skills, and even give back to others. 

Firstly, let's talk about why networking is so important. A professional network can offer many things, including career growth, higher salaries, and more promotions. When you connect with people at different levels and in different organisations, you'll be the first to know about new opportunities. And when senior employees know the great work you're doing, the odds of them promoting you increase. Interacting with different people also allows you to gather valuable information and insights that can help you perform at a higher level. Research shows that people with stronger networks end up with higher salaries and more promotions.

You might be wondering where to start. If you're not a fan of big, noisy events, don't worry. The best way to maintain a network is to reconnect with your dormant ties. Networking is not only about meeting new people but also about re-establishing relationships with those you’ve lost touch with. Research shows that dormant ties are more likely to provide you with creative advice than new connections. Write down the names of two or three people you haven’t connected with in a while and reach out to them. Focus on getting back in touch.

Moreover, networking is not all about finding a job. Networking can be an excellent way to offer your knowledge, skills, advice, or expertise to others, even when you don't need or want anything in return. This can help you connect with people on a deeper level, and you never know when it might come back around to benefit you. 

If small talk fills you with dread, try focusing on deep, meaningful conversations instead. Research shows that most people prefer intimate conversations, even if they’re meeting you for the first time. Ask people about the most valuable part of their work, the problems they want to solve, or what they enjoy most and least about their work. This can lead to a more enjoyable and productive networking experience for everyone involved.

Lastly, determine what you want to learn. Seek out "lateral connections" within your organisation, or people who are at your same job level. These connections can teach you new skills, give you a more varied outlook on the organisation, shape your performance, and provide you access to opportunities in different areas of the company.

Networking can be an opportunity to make genuine connections and grow both personally and professionally. The more connected you are to people at different job levels, both inside and outside of your organisation, the more likely you are to know about new opportunities when they arise.