I’m going to show you how to build a network of raving supporters, across your organization.
As a Product Leader, your cross-functional partners are your biggest source of support. Managing these relationships well is critical to your success.
Moreover, your network can make or break your career growth. Promotions are as much about how people perceive you as your actual accomplishments.
Unfortunately, most Product Managers go about building their network the wrong way.
They try to build a network after-the-fact, when people are busy and aren’t as interested. To play catch-up, they schedule multiple meetings with multiple colleagues to try to form relationships quickly.
But this approach usually leads to burnout, inconsistency, and a quick return to old patterns.
It turns out, there is a better way to network.
30 minutes spent onboarding new folks is worth months of networking, after-the-fact
When someone new joins your organization, they are eager to make connections.
The time you invest ramping up new colleagues:
- Anchors them during a time they feel most unsettled and vulnerable
- Shapes their perception of you as a colleague and leader
- Establishes you as a vital source of company information
In my experience, that favorable first impression becomes a long-lasting impression. References to these onboarding sessions have shown up in my peer review feedback, years later.
Here’s how to network via onboarding, step-by-step:
1. Create a ramp-up deck
Create a quick presentation about the company.
Don’t try to wing it. Writing down your thoughts makes delivery both fast and effective.
Save time by reusing the deck for each onboarding session.
Topics to include:
- Company mission and its significance
- Key company milestones from the past 2 years
- Forces propelling the company forward (tailwinds)
- Obstacles holding the company back (headwinds)
- Why their role (and yours) are critical to the mission
2. Identify people to onboard
The more people you onboard, the bigger your network.
That said, you can’t spend all your time onboarding.
Categorize new people into one of three categories:
- VIPs – leaders or key cross-functional partners
- Primary Peers – colleagues you’ll encounter frequently
- Secondary Peers – everyone else
Onboard VIPs live and 1-on-1. That personal attention paves the way towards a strong first impression.
Onboard Primary Peers live, either 1-on-1 or in groups (to save time). Often, I’ll schedule a 1-on-1 onboarding session and convert it to a group session if more people join in the interim.
Onboard Secondary Peers using a recording of a previous group onboarding session.
3. Extend an offer to help
Reach out and welcome new folks to the company.
Acknowledge starting a new role can be daunting.
Offer to onboard them and/or answer any questions they may have.
You will get one of three responses:
- “Yes please!” (common) – your offer is compelling, and they are eager to connect asap
- “I might take you up on that.” – your offer is welcome, but they are too busy / overwhelmed at the moment
- “I think I am okay, but thank you.” – your offer is appreciated, but they don’t think they need help
For response #1 – you have the green light! Onboard them using your chosen method.
For response #2 – offer to answer any questions that come up, and check back in after a week or two.
For response #3 – offer to answer any questions that come up, and include a link to your pre-recorded session in case they want to refer to it later.
4. Follow up post-onboarding
To form a lasting impression, make sure your offer to help does not feel transactional.
Immediately following the onboarding session, offer to answer new questions as they arise.
Also add a reminder to your calendar to check back in after a few weeks.
Both of these actions send strong signals that you value the new relationship.
Summary
That’s it!
Create a reusable ramp-up deck, identify people to onboard, extend an offer to help, and follow-up afterwards.
30 minutes spent generously onboarding a new colleague when they are eager to connect creates a lasting positive impression.
While you still have to nurture the relationship over time, you’ll discover it takes much less effort to keep the connection strong.
I hope you’ll give this a try!
