establish a connection

Meaning

This expression means to set up, start, or build a relationship, link, or communication channel with someone or something. In business, it can refer to professional networking (building a relationship with a contact) or technical networking (linking systems or devices). The tone is formal, polite, and professional.

Examples

• Attending industry conferences is a great way to establish a connection with potential partners.

  Attending industry conferences is a great way to establish a connection with potential partners.

• We hope to establish a connection with the local community through our charity work.

  We hope to establish a connection with the local community through our charity work.

• The sales representative tried to establish a connection with the key decision-maker.

  The sales representative tried to establish a connection with the key decision-maker.

• It took several minutes for the server to establish a connection with our database.

  It took several minutes for the server to establish a connection with our database.

• To establish a connection with new clients, it is important to show genuine interest in their business.

  To establish a connection with new clients, it is important to show genuine interest in their business.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We made a connection with the supplier last week.

  ✓ We established a connection with the supplier last week.

  While 'make a connection' is fine for casual speech, 'establish a connection' is the preferred formal collocation in professional contexts.

• ✗ The software established a connection to the internet.

  ✓ The software connected to the internet.

  While 'establish a connection with' is correct for systems or servers, 'connect to the internet' is much more natural than 'establish a connection to the internet'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The goal of the networking event is to ___ with leaders in our industry.

  💡 Build a relationship or link

  Show answer

  establish a connection

• Our sales team is trying to ___ with the purchasing manager at that firm.

  💡 Set up a formal professional relationship

  Show answer

  establish a connection