Networking with industry professionals and exchanging ideas is valuable when trying to advance your career. The more people you know, and the more relationships you build, the more opportunities will begin to open for you organically.  

Making contacts is important across all industries. Within manufacturing specifically, networking is not only about trading information with your manufacturing peers but it also serves as an opportunity to develop long-term relationships with mutual benefits. Industrial Machinery Digest explains, “When it comes to manufacturing, due to the extensive range of applications, processes, and specialties, increasing your network of available resources is important. It can provide your business with a core focus and supports valuable relationships that often are mutually beneficial.”  

On Monday, April 10 SME Membership hosted the Manufacturing Monday Coffee Chat: Effective Networking Strategies that Lead to Business Results. The morning conversation virtually consisted of manufacturing peers from all stages of their careers. They discussed strategies to help both manufacturing companies attract employees and tactics individuals can use to navigate the current professional landscape and network effectively. 

This virtual meet-up was moderated by Michael Bell, CEO and Founder, Synbyo. Bell is also the Chair of SME Sacramento Valley Chapter 145 and Chair of the Chapter Enhancement Team for SME Membership. Here are a few highlights and quotes from the conversation: 

What has been your most effective way to network with manufacturing professionals?  

Joshua Shepherd, Engineering and R&D Manager, IT Precision and Chair-Elect SME Houston Chapter 29 – I’ve found that many people appreciate in-person interactions. In this post-COVID era, I’ve gained genuine connections and benefits from sitting down and talking face-to-face with local groups, customers, and vendors during industry events.

Michael Bell, CEO and Founder, Synbyo – Tours have been the key drawing point for membership. If company restrictions open, the conversation and networking that occur within this environment tend to be organic and free-flowing. This is another avenue for like-minded manufacturing professionals to connect and learn from one another. 

What have been your greatest networking challenges post-COVID? 

Christie Hasbrouck, Graduate Research Assistant/Ph.D. Candidate, Penn State University, State College, PA – Job interviews are almost entirely virtual now. This makes it easier to do more interviews but fewer in-person meetings. COVID opened a whole world of online networking, but it makes it harder to connect with an individual when you’re not there in person to make assessments of culture and personalities. 

Lisa Fisher, Founder, Lisa Fisher Associates – I'm from Michigan and we have an organization called the Capital Area Manufacturing Council. Cindy Kingis, Executive Director at Capital Area Manufacturing Council has been very instrumental in navigating monthly tours for different manufacturing sites post-COVID once companies began lifting restrictions. It's not just manufacturing companies that are attending, it's a lot of people from the community and there has been an amazing amount of feedback from the companies and individuals that are finding value in seeing plants and different work environments face to face. It's very important to utilize local organizations to help get people in the door and see what a career in manufacturing is all about. 

Sarah Curnow, Co-Founder & CEO, Credo Software – One of the things I think is really important is overcoming that zone of resistance when you're meeting with people. In South Carolina, there are great organizations doing work in the community, the German American Chamber for example is alive and well in the area and they do a good job facilitating plant tours and helping companies and individuals connect. Overall, people want to get together in person. 

Explain an experience where networking was professionally beneficial

Christie Hasbrouck, Graduate Research Assistant/Ph.D. Candidate, Penn State University, State College, PA – When I was the President of the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society as an undergraduate I attended many conventions where I met engineers from many different fields. Now, anytime I need input for projects I can reference new engineer contacts. Being a student, I have a distinct advantage and access to a plethora of knowledge based on the connections I’ve made through networking. It's been a really high success rate in the responses I get when reaching out to my newly developed network of engineering professionals. 

Michael Bell, CEO and Founder, Synbyo - From my perspective, I started networking through SME when we started my local chapter in 2014. That led to the realization that we needed more business executives to be part of the community outreach and networking process. Therefore, an organization called Sacramento Valley Manufacturing Alliance was created. SMA is an industry association that was developed as a spin-off of SME. Through this organization, I was able to connect with industry professionals and now I'm in a position where I've made connections that allow me to do things like set up and host factory tours in local manufacturing facilities. I started networking with SME which evolved to networking within SMA and now I have positive business relationships as a direct extension of my networking efforts. My approach when it comes to networking is that it’s easier to do a favor for a friend than it is for a stranger. The more people you know, the more relationships you build, the more opportunities will begin to open for you organically. 

Stay in the know about all things manufacturing and future member programming like this. An SME membership is open to everyone involved in manufacturing — from C-suite execs to practitioners to students. Join SME Today for exclusive access to comprehensive resources that help you develop professionally and a vast network of manufacturing's best and brightest.