How to develop a professional network in Seville
As the old saying goes, it's not what you know but who you know. Whether you are a freelancer, have your own business or work for a company, you will need to create a powerful professional network to really help you get ahead.
If you ask any successful person how they got to where they are today, they will most likely tell you that it was through connections, referrals, and recommendations. But these were probably not handed to them on a plate. They were created through networking and building up a professional network.
Networking in Seville plays a vital part in business and career growth. Fortunately, the Andalusian capital has made it very easy for professionals to put themselves out there with a number of networking websites, social media channels, and in-person events. These tend to be friendly, casual affairs, shorn of the aggressive sales tactics and overmarketing that you may have come across in your home country.
Here is how you can grow your professional network as an expat in Seville.
Join Seville's business groups and networks
A simple way to get plugged into Seville's business and professional scene is to investigate the following websites:
The Confederation of Entrepreneurs of Andalusia (El Club de Emprendedores) - provides a wide range of services for entrepreneurs and business owners. The organization has a web portal with details of events and conferences on entrepreneurship in the whole of Andalusia, which includes Seville.
Business Network and Marketing in Seville - a public group for entrepreneurs, marketing and sales directors, and those who want to know more about networking in the capital of Andalusia. Currently, there are more than 1,200 members. Periodically, the group hosts speed networking events where the intention is to encourage participants to make as many connections as possible.
Guiri Business Group - a nationwide LinkedIn community with more than 13,000 members that is designed to help expat and local networking through the exchange of contacts, knowledge, and jobs. In addition to its LinkedIn page, there is also a Guiri Business network website that provides details of jobs, events, and networking events. Use the website's dropdown menu and search facility to locate happenings and opportunities near you.
You will also find a number of professional networks and associations dedicated to individual professions, such as teachers, doctors, and dentists. To find them, use the Minister of the Interior's search tool - registro nacional de asociaciones to locate the ones that are relevant to you.
The Spanish Chamber of Commerce (Camara de Comercio) - a nationwide body that represents the network of chambers of commerce across the country. It offers support to businesses and runs numerous networking events all over Spain.
Business Network International Spain (BNI España) - Business Network International lays claim to being the largest business networking organization and referral organization in the world. It provides lots of resources to businesses and individual professions in Seville, including access to networking groups, professional associations, and clubs.
Womenalia – a business network for professional women and female entrepreneurs. It provides free online training and access to networking opportunities and events.
Online networking in Seville
Create an online professional brand and open doors to opportunities and professional networks by creating profiles on business-oriented networking websites such as LinkedIn and Xing.
Networking opportunities are out there
No matter your profession or position, the more people who know and trust you in Seville, the more likely that opportunity is going to come knocking on your door.
