Relocating? Plan Your Job Success Before The Move - The 100 Days Before Relocating Plan!
Many expats forget to create a network strategy when moving abroad. Just like your current network has benefited you in unimaginable ways, so to will your future network in your new location (once you build/activate it).
It is natural to keep focus on learning your new job and settling in with family/house/car etc. All this can be overwhelming at times and you'll feel like you are missing 12 hours in every day to accomplish all your work/private tasks.
You can outsource assistance with relocating, but you cannot outsource networking!
Many realize too late how much time, good advice, help, contacts and sales was lost by postponing their network activities. You can outsource assistance with relocating, but you cannot outsource networking! If you're not familiar with relocation management, destination services companies and expat car providers, do yourself a favor and research these services to give yourself time to become an even bigger success.
Your greatest resource for quick access to knowledge, help and valuable local contacts in the country you are relocating to will be your own countrymen.
I have heard this statement from my expat countrymen more times than I can count "I didn't move to another country just to hang out with my own people!". The same people will tell me, once they do start reaching out to their own countrymen after a few years, "wow I could really have used this information when I first moved here". Don't be like them!
There is no such thing as a free lunch. As Thomas Jefferson said "I'm a great believer in luck and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it". So let's get to work! Here is your plan:
The First Month - Put Your Plan Together
- Create a list of local network organizations where you are moving to:
- Chambers of commerce and business councils
- Trade councils, consulates and the embassy
- Alumni networks
- Churches
- Rotary, Lion, Junior Chamber and other global network organizations
- Linkedin Groups (Italians in..., Americans in...)
- Facebook groups (Brits in..., Brazilians in...many different name options)
- MeetUp.com groups
- If you're from a very small country like Iceland, then it's OK to add other like minded countries' organizations/groups to your list. Look through the members group and make a list of people you would like to meet. - Make a calendar overview of when the different organizations have upcoming events.
- Find a week with as many relevant events as possible, sign up for the events and book your trip for a week of networking and work (Don't bring your family on this network dedicated trip).
- Contact the President of the Chamber, group organizers etc. for the events and let them know you will be attending, tell them a bit about yourself, work etc. and ask if there are anyone that they feel you should meet while you are visiting.
- Request the attendee list for the events, check profiles on Linkedin, make list of people to meet at the events.
- Search Linkedin for interesting people from your own country in the location you are moving to. You cannot search on peoples' nationality, but you can search for schools, companies and other names/words people from your home country would use in their profiles. In "Advanced" search you can limit your search to a specific location (city or zip code). Be sure to check how you are connected to these people. Ask for an introduction if you have good contacts connecting you with people on the list.
- Write questions on the local Linkedin groups in regards to your upcoming challenges in your new job. Think of your 3-5 biggest challenges you foresee and try formulate this into an open question for the members.
- Contact the people on the list you crated over interesting people to meet. Email them a short intro and ask if they have time to meet for coffee.
The Second Month - Connect!
- Attend events, meetings and meet-ups! If your networking is a bit rusty or need inspiration, read my list of "10 Tips For Better Networking".
- At events seek out the organizer to introduce yourself and ask them if they would be so kind as to introduce you to people at the event.
- Make sure you are remembered and that you establish true connections, not just business card connections. Read this article "Be A Better Networker By Sharing Your Passion!", it provides a list of questions to engage the people you meet.
- Send Linkedin invites to all relevant people in the groups above and people you found on Linkedin. If you are in doubt if it's OK to invite someone you have yet to meet then please read the article "Who's Your Most Valuable Connections on Linkedin?"
The Third Month - Follow up!
Make sure to follow up with all the new contacts you have made. All the offers for introductions, second meetings, information and possibilities for you to help. It may be difficult for you to find ways to help your new contacts, but make an effort to do so, it will differentiate you in a very positive way from others. Some of your most valuable new contacts will have helped people before in your position and will appreciate you making an effort to help them.
Continue building your list of people you would like to meet. Post new questions, on Linkedin and via email, inspired by your new gained knowledge. Most people are genuinely interested in sharing their own expat experiences and knowledge, so don't be shy to explore other ways to connect with this great resource.
Go back to the list of actions under "The First Month - Put Your Plan Together" and repeat the relevant actions and start planing your first 100 days after relocating!
My mantra is "It's not who you know, or who knows you. It's all about who and how many you have helped!"
Remember in just a year from now you'll be a great resource for others relocating to your new destination.
These are clearly just a few of many actions you can initiate in the 100 days before relocating. Please share your tips and comments.
Happy Networking,
Jesper
Jesper Løvendahl
CEO & Founder ExpatRide International
www.ExpatRide.com