How can you use your professional network to stay up-to-date with industry news?

I’d disagree with following ‘influencers’ - look for expertise and credibility not follower numbers. Just because someone has amassed a following, does not mean they know what they are talking about. Indeed there are a rapidly growing pool of people who are popular because they tell folks what they like to hear. I do agree with the description of ‘experts, credible, and well-informed’.

The key is not just to consume information but to engage with it actively. Share your insights, ask questions, and contribute to discussions. This not only keeps you informed but also enhances your visibility and reputation within your professional community. Join industry-specific groups on LinkedIn. These platforms are often rich with discussions, articles, and insights shared by industry leaders and peers. Engage actively by participating in discussions and sharing relevant content.
 Engage with mentors or become one. Mentor-mentee relationships are excellent for bidirectional knowledge sharing and staying abreast of new developments.

To keep up with what's happening in your job field, use your work friends and online tools. Follow important people and companies on social media like LinkedIn and Twitter and be part of groups where people talk about your job. Go to events and webinars and sign up for email newsletters from important websites. Check out industry websites and meet with your work friends often. If you help them, they might help you. Keep your LinkedIn profile updated, so you see the latest news there too. By doing these things, you'll always know what's new in your job world.

To harness the power of influencers in your field, first, zero in on the movers and shakers who resonate with your professional ethos. Leverage platforms like LinkedIn to observe the content they share, the discussions they spark, and the communities they nurture. Engage meaningfully—comment with insight, share your experiences, and when appropriate, challenge ideas to foster a rich dialogue. This approach not only keeps you informed but also elevates your profile among industry leaders.

The domain of opportunities you have include: your Level 1 and 2 contacts and their posts, group members and discussions, events, LinkedIn courses, and so on. Your objective is to form relationships with those who are knowledgeable, have a perspective that you find valuable, and a philosophy & ethos that resonates with yours. What I have found most useful: Building a closer relationship with 5-6 influencers in my network at a time. Start by liking, adding meaningful comments to their posts, and sharing them with your network – that’s how you get on anyone’s LinkedIn radar. Advice I wish I had been given? Pick 1 or 2 tactics and apply them consistently for 3 months and see the difference that can make. Then adjust and experiment.

Instead of passive scrolling, approach each piece of content with a critical eye: read thoroughly, contribute thoughtful comments, and share with personalized insights. It's about sparking meaningful conversations that reflect your understanding and invite further discussion. This level of engagement not only enhances your learning but also signals your expertise to your network, fostering connections that can lead to new opportunities.

I strongly believe that no matter what your role is or what field you work in, staying on top of industry news and trends will help you gain experience, identify opportunities for growth and give you a competitive edge. It is important to be active in networking be it virtual or face to face. There are organisations that you can join that can help you to stay in the loop. They can provide you with insightful journals, newsletters or even events that you can attend to network with likeminded people.

Each of our connections brings his/her own set of career experiences to LinkedIn. From diverse countries, functions, industries, sectors, companies, product categories and brands. Reading and commenting on posts in our feed is the fastest way to learn about developments in our profession. Commenting keeps the conversation flowing. Regardless of whether we do so to: * Simply thank the author for sharing his/her domain knowledge. * Ask specific and relevant questions that come to mind. Answers to which can help clarify the content for the benefit of other readers too. * Offer our own unique point of view. Even if it is anecdotal. And even if it is in healthy disagreement. This, in fact, fosters a balanced discussion on the topic at hand.

Estar presente en las conversaciones va mucho más allá del like. Significa interactuar de una forma profesional con el contenido compartido, aportando tu punto de vista cuando lo consideres relevante, compartiendo con comentarios de valor añadido para tu red. Piensa cómo puedes utilizar ese contenido, cómo te está aportando valor a ti como profesional y cómo tú puedes aportar valor a otros interactuando con él.

Engaging with content goes beyond clicks; it’s about fostering a thoughtful dialogue. As a leadership coach, I find that insightful comments can spark meaningful conversations and collaborations. By contributing authentic perspectives and sharing personal experiences, we not only enrich the discourse but also amplify our professional presence and value within the community.

Leveraging your professional network is a powerful strategy for staying informed about industry news. Actively engage in industry-related online communities, forums, and social media platforms where discussions and updates are shared regularly. Follow critical influencers, participate in relevant conversations, and share your insights to establish a meaningful presence. Also, I would suggest attending industry events, conferences, and webinars to network with professionals, gain firsthand knowledge, and stay abreast of the latest trends. Regularly connecting with colleagues, mentors, and peers ensures a continuous exchange of information, enhancing your awareness of industry news and developments.

It’s so important to utilize the network you build, and initiating contact is essential. It’s become normal to reach out to connections and set up virtual meetings, coffee meets, and chats where you can build meaningful relationships that can benefit you both in your career. Your network connections are a great opportunity to learn and grow!

Schedule regular check-ins with key individuals in your network to discuss industry trends and personal insights. This keeps the dialogue ongoing and relevant. Prepare specific, thoughtful questions that tap into the unique expertise of your contacts, showing you value their specialized knowledge. Make sure to provide value in return, whether through sharing your own insights, offering assistance, or connecting them with others in your network. Participate in online industry forums alongside your network contacts to engage in broader discussions. For deeper learning opportunities, arrange informational interviews with experts in areas you're keen to explore further.

Proactive attitude in sustaining relationships with your industry peers is a strategy that scales the awareness of your brand. There is always one from two who starts the conversation. By taking initiative you set a positive ground for continuous conversation. Still, a consistency is a key for maintaing the reputation of trusted and supportive peer. Showing up on a regular basis is a good manner of building sustainable dialogue.

I know for many staying connected with your network can be tough. Here is a suggestion you can consider so this does not feel so cumbersome. Have an annual calendar with reminders set letting you know who and when to connect with your network. This way you have a routine and a way to keep this top of mind so you can manage those reach outs. This will minimize the feeling of this being overwhelming and not worth it. Remember the benefits of staying connected with your network are many so do not make it an event you do only when you need something.

I usually make time to attend events to learn and meet people. Using LinkedIn, I connect with speakers and participants I've met to keep in touch. When applicable, I write about their insights (from event talks to Q&A interviews) and share them with connections.

Leveraging our professional network is a strategic move for staying informed and ahead of the curve. The network is not just a passive source of information. It’s a dynamic community that thrives on collaboration.

Whether it's going to live events or taking advantage of LinkedIn Lives or Audio events, make sure you use every opportunity to learn and mingle with industry professionals. Events and webinars offer unique opportunities to get valuable insights and discuss them immediately with fellow experts in the field.

This is a great way to keep up to date. Sharing a few keyaways with others through LinkedIn and other platforms is another to pay forward. Plus connecting with people you meet at events is a great way to grow connections meaningfully.

Engaging in industry events and webinars enriches your expertise and fosters collaborative growth. By actively participating, you can harness collective intelligence, expand your professional landscape, and form meaningful connections that propel both personal and sector-wide advancement.

While it may seem counterintuitive, creating and sharing content is one of the best ways to stay ahead. First, it forces you to find ways to stay connected so you have a constant funnel of ideas fueling your tank. Depending on your content creation approach, it also puts you in situations where you're engaging with others tackling the same challenges. Every one of my livestreams is a learning opportunity for me as I glean from the wisdom of my guests. There's also something about the process of synthesizing information you take in and turning it into content. You can't parrot generic talking points if you want good content. You have to creatively deconstruct and reconstruct things while applying the knowledge in new and different ways.

Creating and sharing your own content is one of the most overlooked aspects of staying current on industry news. I work with lots of brilliant leaders who avoid this step, but their voices are exactly what others need to hear on key topics. When you share your thought leadership, it invites others to do the same and you can learn and grow together. And sharing content requires that you do your own homework too (which you were likely to do anyway, if it's a relevant topic for you). By taking the extra step to share your thoughts in whatever format is most comfortable for you, you're expanding everyone's industry knowledge.

Qué te impide crear contenido? Será tiempo, miedo a la opinión de otros o que consideras que no son valiosos tus aportes En mi experiencia te puedo contar algo: Tiempo. Al principio es difícil empezar, pero una vez has tomado ritmo cada vez es más sencillo escribir. La constancia es la clave! Miedo. Empieza por LinkedIn. Me parece una red en la que se exaltan las aptitudes de las personas y manejan un ambiente de camaradería. En dos años solo he recibido una retroalimentación negativa Compartir tu opinión. Te aseguro que alguien, así sea una persona, quiere leer lo que escribes. Deja que se forme una bola de nueve y forma comunidad. Constancia, seguridad y paciencia! Esos son los tres elementos... Éxitos!!!

¿Por qué no generar contenido propio? Antes que nada piensa en cuál es tu área de expertise donde te encuentras más cómodo, tu posicionamiento como profesional. Puedes compartir experiencias, consejos, contenido técnico que puede ser útil para otros profesionales. Mide bien tu disponibilidad de tiempos, ya que crear buenos contenidos lleva su inversión en horas ;) por eso antes de lanzar un blog o un newsletter, comienza antes por mostrar tu presencia en las redes en las que más interactúas.

Leveraging platforms like LinkedIn to share original content not only establishes your expertise but also fosters meaningful engagement. Every post or article is an opportunity to spark dialogue, deepen connections, and showcase your unique professional journey.

It is easy to drown in today’s “digital data deluge”. Leveraging our professional network judiciously is paramount. Here is what I found works for me: 1. Stay on top of content: Pick 3-5 industry news channels from trustworthy providers and subscribe to a daily news summary. This should be mandatory daily reading. 2. Realize there are multiple “tribes” or mini networks within your network, of people that have things in common. Have three or four of these that you share things with (Ln, Slack, WA…) and engage at least weekly with them. 3. Meet f2f or virtually for coffee: I try to meet someone new (and relevant) at least 2x / month 4. ACT upon new knowledge gained, and write down how: As Jim Kwik says, Knowledge x ACTION = power. 👊🏻

"Network by design" You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with' holds true, emphasizing the impact of your network on personal and professional development. Designing your network with industry professionals ensures a constant flow of valuable insights, knowledge sharing, and best practices. It's not just about networking; it's about 'network by design,' a strategic approach to surround yourself with individuals who contribute to your growth and keep you well-informed about the latest industry trends and news. A thoughtfully crafted network becomes an invaluable asset in staying ahead in a dynamic professional landscape."

- Reach out to subject matter experts through LinkedIn. - Search for experts through TedTalks and engage with them. - Connect with top podcasters within your area of expertise and collaborate with them to show visibility and develop personal brand.

One important thing isn't mentioned. Those are relevant organizations that write the rules. For example ISO, ILO, IMO... or relevant Laws. For example GDPR. Those organisations make regular updates on their rules. Various influencers can share those updates, but only if those updates are shared by those organisation you can be sure they are true.

Quality over quantity. Create real relationships with peers in the industry that you can learn from and engage them in a meaningful way. Create masterminds, networking events, or focus groups together to share industry news, stories, lessons, etc.