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Building your professional network: a key factor in business success

The success of a business project also depends on the quality of your professional network and your ability to activate it to find first customers, suppliers, partners, associates or employees.

Investing time in your network

Networking can't be improvised: you will need to invest time in talking about your project with your contacts, attending events or conferences, and visiting trade fairs. Every encounter is an opportunity to raise awareness of your project, gather feedback and sometimes uncover an unexpected opportunity.

Fribourg professional associations

In the canton of Fribourg, several professional associations are excellent entry points for building your network:

  • CCIF – Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the canton of Fribourg
  • Employers' Association of the canton of Fribourg (UPCF)
  • Fédération Patronale et Economique (employers' federation)

Fri Up also offers a complete innovation ecosystem if you need a specific technology or an expert opinion on a very specific subject. Find out who can help you at friup.ch/a-propos/ecosysteme.

Networking: a user's guide

Identify your targets and get to know them via LinkedIn. Arrange meetings ahead of events rather than relying solely on chance encounters.

If you don't know anyone at an event, spot someone on their own and strike up a conversation... but don't stay with them for two hours! The aim is to make as many quality contacts as possible.

Who am I, what am I looking for, what do I offer: your quick introduction must be clear, concise and make people want to know more.

You are not there to sell something but to exchange. Genuine listening builds lasting relationships, far more than a sales pitch.

Keep your contact list up to date and follow up regularly. A contact without follow-up is a lost contact.