Building A Professional Network in Singapore

Whether you've just arrived on the little red dot, or you're changing direction in a new career path, making connections and building your professional network is critical to your future success.

Professional networking in Singapore is commonplace, with an opportunity to attend a networking event, business conference or meetup available seemingly every day of the week. The first step to finding your people is to fill your diary - signup for local business meetups, conferences in your industry, your company's events or those run by associations like the British Chamber.

Your time is valuable, so be sure to choose your networking opportunities wisely, taking into account your work/life balance, your goals for connecting with people and - importantly - how you might be able to help others, which includes volunteering opportunities.

Events in Singapore

You can find listings of networking events on free-to-access websites, from social media platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook to curated event websites such as Peatix and Eventbrite. Large-scale business conferences in Singapore are often highlighted on the visitsingapore.com website, operated by the Singapore Tourism Board. It's also worth scrolling through the events calendar at major venues, such as Singapore Expo, where conferences can be found months in advance.

Networking Tips

Arrive early

Get a feel for the room and allow people to come to you, rather than having to interrupt group conversations. Participating in several smaller conversations will help you to relax as the room fills up around you.

Interact with people you know as a way to meet others

Don't fall into the trap of talking exclusively to those you know already, allow them to introduce you to others in their conversations and do the same for your existing connections. Force yourself out of your comfort zone by setting yourself a goal - to meet a specific number of people in a set time period or throughout the event. 

Don't be afraid to ask for an introduction

Event organisers like the British Chamber team are there to facilitate introductions between people- our primary goal at events is to deliver valuable connect and facilitate new connections for our guests. Don't be afraid to ask us for an introduction to a specific company or person you have seen is attending, or approach us if we are within a group - we will happily bring you into the conversation. 

The more you network, the more you will improve at small talk

Remember you don't have to speak the entire time, listen and use well-placed insights to demonstrate intelligence rather than speaking continuously.

Fake it until you make it!

Nerves can get the better of us all, just remember everyone in the room is there for a similar purpose, and meeting new people is simply part of the game.

Repeat your new connection's name in the conversation

Avoid forgetting new names during a conversation by repeating their name back to them at a natural point in the chat or introduce them to others, and make a note later on their business card of where and when you met.

Staying Connected

Now you've made some new connections, how do you take the next step? Try following up by email or LinkedIn in the days after the event, while the connection is still fresh in their mind. Avoid obvious sales pitches, unless your conversation had led to a request for a business proposal or request for more information, and focus instead on what you remember about your interaction. Is there a piece of content or another event coming up that might interest them? Do you have common interests? Do you have mutual connections that you could meet up with together? Focus on what would be a valuable use of your connection's time, build a relationship and engage with them, rather than pushing your sales pitch.

Events hosted by the British Chamber of Commerce
 

Events run by the British Chamber are listed at www.britcham.org.sg/events, with our flagship events advance calendar at www.britcham.org.sg/flagship-events.

The best feedback is from your peers, so follow the link to hear from our members how they've benefited from getting involved with our events in Singapore.

Many of our events are open to the public, so come along and expand your network with our community!