“Why You Should Be Networking” – Business AND Pleasure?
January 16, 2008 by identityandconsulting
Steven Burda, MBA
Senior Financial Analyst at SunGard Data Systems - Financial Systems, Open Networker
“Why You Should Be Networking” – Business AND Pleasure?
“Why You Should Be Networking” – Business and Pleasure?
Today at lunch, I read a great article called “Why You Should Be Networking” by Karl Taro Greenfeld, and immediately thought of influentially emerging networking sites like Linkedin and Facebook – and my own networking that I carry out nearly every day. I strongly agree about many aspects of what was mentioned about the networking (in person, in groups, virtually, etc) — however, I heard many people (even in business-related fields!) reject the idea of networking, for whatever their reason may be. Question: Why so? Have you passed on a networking opportunity? What good and bad came out of it? Aren’t you a big believer of the saying, “when opportunity knocks, answer the door?”
Direct link to article:
http://men.style.com/details/features/full?id=content_5871
- Steven Burda, Networker, Opportunist
burda.mba @gmail.com
Clarification added 4 months ago:
Hello… so why network, even with people you previously didn’t know? Here is a prime example from the e-mail I received yesterday. It made me feel good…
———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Rick Nidel <private@comcast.net>
Date: Sep 9, 2007 11:34 AM
Subject: Thanks
To: burda.mba{at}gmail.com
Hello Mr. Burda,
I am not even sure how we got connected on Linked-In. I used to work at LMIT, so perhaps from there. Anyway, your connection resulted in me receiving a job posting that is so closely matched to what I want to do, I simply could not believe it. This doesn’t mean I will get the job, but I’m still impressed with how the Linked-In thing can work. Whoever you are….thanks for being part of my network.
Best regards,
Rick Nidel
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Answers (210)
Shawn Carter
Senior Financial Analyst at Blackhawk Network
Best Answers in: Equity Markets (2)… see more
Yes! When opportunity knocks, answer the door. The only way to survive. Not networking is a big ensurer of failure in my mind. I used it to sell the socks off my last job opportunity and got 10% more money than I asked for based mostly on recommendations.
Some people are very private people and prefer anonimity though.
Absolutely - network, network, network.
Success in business is 1/3 smarts, 1/3 work, and 1/3 opportunity. You’ve got to work hard to be smart, and be smart enough to recognize opportunity when it flows before you. Networking is what keeps one on the banks of the opportunity river.
Well the world is changing and is becoming more and more interconnected. The term “it’s about who you know” is more relevant than it has ever been. If you want to be successful you need to interact with people especially if you own your own business or if you’re an entrepreneur. Theses sites can give you exposure to people and new opportunities. It’s basically free advertising.
I couldn’t do my job if I didn’t network. The best candidates are often so busy being good at what they do they don’t have time to job hunt. By having networks through various means (including Linkedin) I am able to find these people, thus ensuring I am successful at my job!
My Networks are in various forms, but sites such as this really help - I can keep track of contacts, build new contacts, get recommendations, pass introductions and so much more!
I don’t do much social networking myself, but I don’t understand why people wouldn’t do one or the other?!
The ‘Who you know’ mentioned previously also helps, often how I win new business and more!
Free advertising, of course it is - helps to add your opinion in Q&A too ;o)
Jeff Posner
Specialist in finding creative funding solutions for businesses and individuals.
Networking has been a way of life for me far before I ever worked for myself. I get a natural high from helping others and count the number of people I help through my network as a measure of my success and not the number of people who help me. In the past I have skipped or walked away from some networking opportunities when I have thought those involved did so purely out of greed or if I felt the resources (time and money) requested of the group or network were excessively high and would distract me too much from focusing on my clients, business, family, friends, and social life.
Others I have seen reject networking in the past have often come back around and regretted their earlier decision. The reasons given for declining opportunities to network range from time and money commitments to the belief that the results would be minimal or less then other methods of direct marketing and sales.
Personally I see many great reasons to network. Not only does networking help in growing a business and finding customers and clients, but in addition find businesses to utilize, employment, professional advice, and some wonderful friendships.
David Wright
Developing today’s talent and tomorrows leaders
Best Answers in: Compensation and Benefits (1)
Thought of myself as a non-networker, didn’t think I was good at it and didn’t feel I had to. Then I was asked “How many jobs have you got soley on your own - without a connection”. I realized, over the past 30 years every job (6) were through referals and networking. Workopolis and Monster are great, but your own network is so much better. Plus the personal benefits of never eating alone and having great friends are great too.
My networking split is 90% business, 10% pleasure. Networking, be it physical or online, has and will always be important, no matter what work you are doing. If you are an employee, you have to sell your skills, personality and/or product, that applies to the street cleaner through to the president of a country or an international corporate. That alone makes networking, in whatever form, worthwhile. As for online networking - tools like linkedin makes it possible to build relationships far beyond what was feasible in the past — with loads of possibilities arising from that.
The world has changed a lot and it is not as our parent though us: don’t talk to strangers! We know 200 times more people that our grandparents met in their entire life!
Networking is the new way of doing business and became essential
Of course it is not an easy way, especially if you are shy or have strong beliefs that prevent you from getting in touch with unknown persons. Is like the story with the fox that doesn’t reach the grapes an says they are sour…
Hello Steve
For me networking has always been business with persons i have pleasure relating to.If it were to lead to other opportunities why not? It would probably lead to a stronger relationship in most This may be business or friendship but its all good.
I also think networking has got stereotyped as a method of finding people who would give you opprtunities only when you need them. So people who are at the bad end feel that they have nothing to gain. True networking should be a win-win situation all the time.Just like in a true friendship.
Overall, its a very positive tool to improve relationships, business or for pleasure.
People network for 2 reasons…business and pleasure. I use a variety of websites like linkedin, orkut, facebook.
Business networking (and social networking as well) helps you get back in touch with old friends, colleagues and stay in touch with them. I guess its the “feel good” factor when you realise that you are not alone and do have friends around that draws people to network.
It has also helped people from my generation…around the time I graduated from high school, internet was an unknown concept in India. In fact many did not have even have a phone back then. Thanks to the plethora of networking sites, I have managed to get back in touch with many of them.
Networking also helps you get in touch with people who share similar professional or personal interests. You can share ideas with them and learn from them…even can be useful in finding a job..But for the lack of time, I could just go on and on talking about how useful networking is.
Yes, I have passed on networking opportunities in the past. Only to regret it later. In the past, I would be “protective” of my “network”, because I didn’t want to introduce a person or business opportunity to someone I respected or who respected me. I did this out of fear of rejection, and I didn’t want to rock the boat.
Now I am constantly thinking of connecting people to people or organizations I know of. I have come to understand that the answer to some peoples prayers, or business struggles are in my ability to connect them to the right resource.
Networking is essential in today’s work place! “It’s all in who you know.”
Kelly Long also suggests this expert on this topic:
Michelle McManus
Online Marketing Manager at Ozburn-Hessey Logistics
Best Answers in: Education and Schools (1)… see more
If you are passing up an opportunity to strengthen and create relationships and establish trust with your prospect or client for no good reason then you should not be in sales. Relationships and trust, which is best built through strong relationships, are crucial to much success in sales.
Hi Steve,
Networking is King! …and it’s not only about how many linked in connections you have or how many social media website you are registered in. You have to look for networking opportunities on a daily basis or at least be able to recognize them when they pass by. A new contact does not always turn into a goldmine but you’ll never now if you don’t try.
Sometimes it’s hard to build a good network for many different reasons. You may not have the personality to throw yourself at people and create a good contact - this would be me. But unfortunately if you want to remain in the game you have to follow the rules.
I don’t think I’ve ever turned down a request to meet with someone for “networking” purposes. I find it energizing to learn about other people, their jobs, and the organizations they work for. I can honestly say that I have learned something from every person I have met with in a networking environment.
The Good - when I became a business owner last year, I had a strong group of contacts that I could reach out to for the products, services, referrals and advice that I needed. It was a tremendous asset to be able to get referrals for things like moving companies, IT service providers, benefits consultants, etc. I also was able to directly do business with some of those contacts in my network - people I already knew but didn’t necessarily expect to buy from.
The Bad - About the only thing I can think of is when I have encountered a contact who only wants to push their agenda and isn’t interested in my interests or needs. That’s not networking - it’s either a sales call or a job interview, but not networking. In every networking conversation, I try to find a need or a topic where I can assist - “How can I help you?” is a very powerful question and it sets the relationship up as a reciprocal one.
Until recently, I limited my networking to what was absolutely required for me to do my job. Prime example: I registered here on linkedin 2 or 3 years ago and had only 1 contact until a few weeks ago.
However, I have come to realize that not networking is akin to burning bridges. There are opportunities out there and by not networking, I am limiting myself. Many opportunities never make it to the job boards (Monster, CareerBuilder, etc.) because someone who knows someone gets the job before there is a need to post it publicly. Not that this is a bad thing - in fact, it is more often than not a great thing for both the company and the person filling the position.
When opportunities do arise, I find myself in a position where I have to sell myself because I have no references / recommendations / contacts to put in a good word for me.
I have reached the point where I’ve been working in this industry for seven years and have a fraction of the contacts that some people have after only seven months.
After seeing countless opportunities pass me by - and numerous positions going to far less qualified individuals simply because they had the right connections - I have finally come to realize the value of networking.
YES! One must network to some degree, (direct or indirect) to survive and then to reach a certain level of success. I have learned to network outside my professional comfort zone, mainly “green”, the military!
Not networking is Death slow painful Death. I have only been networking for a about 1 1/2 years I was introduced to it from my previous employer and I immediatly saw what it could do for me and how I could my skills to help others. I can’t remember where I read it but the quote is the only to get what you want is to help others get what they want. I also remember a song that said when you get older you will need the people you knew when you were young.
I’m not that old but I know that I need the people I new when I was young. Along with linkedin I use classmates and myspace and facebook just so that I can reconnect with people I knew when I was younger. I don’t want to make them think that I just want them to use my services but I want them to know that I want to help them and I know that the laws of nature or karma will catch up with me in the end.
I tell my wife that I help people cause I’m selfish I want to see good things happen for them and me as well. I can truly say that I get more referrals from people who I haven’t done work for in my current position then people who I have just helped in the past. People remember those who help them and also those who caused them harm so always be a helper not a hinderer (is that a word?) .
I think most people here, on this networking site, would agree it is a vital part of our business and social life. That being said, time is a scarce resource and networking does take time away from other areas of my life. Would I rather attend a networking function from 5pm - 7pm or spend time at home with the family? Do I spend 20 or 30 minutes a day on a networking site or that time reading about industry trends that help me with my job. I have made a decision to limit networking to only a couple of sites (Linked In being one) and also limit networking functions to a select few that I know are consistently worth attending like the Vancouver Board of Trade events and such. I think competing forces for the limited number of hours in a day dictate that social networking and business networking activities need to be kept in check or before you know it you’re so busy answering Facebook “pokes” that you’ll want to poke your own eye out.
More jobs are uncovered, connections made, problems solved, and questons answered by networking. Why would you NOT network? Networking involves one of the most critical skills needed in any profession - the ability to communicate. If you can talk, you can network. What are you waiting for?
Networking is great, as long as you have a plan. Networking without a plan is like taking off in a car without a destination, where ever you end up is ok. That can be costly in time and money. Understanding why you are networking is important, is it for social interaction, prospecting, meeting and develping relationship with referral sources or just to create visibility in the market place. All are valid reasons to network. Once you know the why, you can develop a networking plan that will give you a return on your investment of time.
Today networking is not about Who You Know, it’s really about Who Knows You.
Steven, ALWAYS BE NETWORKING is what I have done for 25+ years. It has given me some great friendships, great contacts, and a place to land when I was laid off (a few times). Use all the tools available to keep your contacts fresh and keep your communication with them current. I have a suggestion for a powerful tool which will help. My hesitation is that I do not want to come across as a seller of tools to the whole community. If you are interested, just reply back and I will be happy to point you in a direction where you can become a world class networker.
Curt Tueffert
tueffert@aol.com
Links:
I have yet to receive negative feedback from passing on a networking opportunity to a friend, colleague. While in Business Development, I have always maximized on my ability to reach out to people in my vertical and in parallel verticals. My philosophy on the subject is that you’ll never know when you’ll be able to monetize an opportunity so why shortchange your self!
Brian Delgado also suggests these experts on this topic:
Howard Halpern MA CPRW
Certified Professional Resume Writer • Résu-Card ® • Toronto. Contact – no charge – via profile.
Best Answers in: Using LinkedIn (11)… see more
It all comes down to one thing: effort. It is easier to not network than to network. Most people cannot defer gratification. Hence, they don’t pay much attention to the long-term goal, but to how they are feeling at the moment or how they would like to feel a few minutes later, possibly tomorrow or the next week. For such individuals, networking is too hard, not worth the effort, or simply impossible, given their daily responsibilities. Thus, I invite many people I know personally to join LI, but realize in advance that only a very small % will actually do anything about it. These are the gems who make networking worthwhile.
Wish I had time to answer all of your questions, but unfortunately, I don’t—too many other responsibilities <smile>.
Great questions and equally strong responses from everyone!
I cannot imagine running my business today without networking. Which is weird, because initially I resisted it, not feeling comfortable meeting new people and tooting our horn. But we regularly track our sales, leads, and contacts to conversations, meaning we know the source of every business relationship and trace it to a particular business after-hours event, or trade show, or leads group. So, I can measure the effectiveness of networking and its cash value to our company. Hands down, it’s been more effective than direct response, print ads, anything else we’ve done.
I really am honored when a new client emerges from a referral. I feel like that person has put their relationship to work for me, and I think that’s a fundamentally sacred trust. I do not divide or compartmentalize my business from my personal side; it’s all connected, interdependent, and I believe that when someone chooses to do business with me, I shouldn’t ever take that for granted.
We’ve put our money where our mouth is, because my firm puts networking at the center of our marketing and sales strategy. Every sales person, every marketing person, every partner in our business invests time, energy, and money into joining and participating in networking. I don’t require it, and I don’t have to. I just point to the results we’ve enjoyed and our people see it’s a no-brainer. We’ve even formed an Affiliate program to harness the leads generated by our conversations with other business professionals.
If you’re a business owner, I would think you would know the value of networking. It’s all about keeping the contacts fresh, keeping your face in front of people, so that when opportunities present themselves, you’re top of mind or right in front of them. You can’t focus on doing the work in your business to the exclusion of looking for the next project, the next opportunity, the next relationship, that will propel your business forward. I personally spend at least one morning a week networking with my core group of 35 members, each of us from a different business category. Add to that my chamber events and our Affiliate program, and I’m constantly looking for that next opportunity. At the same time, I’m contributing leads to my fellow networkers whenever I can. Because I meet regularly with these folks, or at least phone them during the week, they’re top of mind with me, so I’m unconsciously looking for business for each of them throughout my week.
If you reject networking, believing you don’t have time or you don’t feel you’ve gotten results from it, perhaps you haven’t given it a fair shake. You must approach networking from a selfless place, directing your energy toward “what can I do to help this fellow’s business?” I’m not saying you don’t have intentions to help your own business, but that you focus instead on giving to another, whether that’s a lead, a contact, or your advice on a particular business issue. The important thing is to remember that what you give, you will receive back somehow, in greater amounts than you gave. This universal idea is timeless because it works!
Dom DeBellis
dom@casadom.com
http://www.DeBellisCommunications.com
I’ve had countless positive experiences with in-person and virtual networking. But for the sake of adding diversity here, I’ll add on to Eric E.’s comments on “the Bad”:
I’ve had some invites from prospects or vendors I had barely met, and passed on the opportunity to connect. A few turned out to be really bad apples (1-sided interest, or ineffectual ventures) and I’m glad I followed my gut!
It’s not really *networking*, it’s making friends and contacts everywhere!
It never hurts to shake someone’s hand and learn their story - as you’ve learned, who you know is as important as what you know.
Eileen Bonfiglio
IT Professional, IS, QA, SCM & Owner of Web Development Firm
Best Answers in: Using LinkedIn (37)… see more
Great article! Thanks for sharing both! Networking is a fabulous tool, both social and business, for a multitude of reasons already listed here.
I have found those who are reluctant to attend networking events or participate seem to lack the confidence in either themselves or the network.
Eileen
The simple fact of the matter is people do business with people they like. People are more relationship driven then they think. Networking is tremendously important.
Not only should you answer the door when opportunity knocks, you should open the door before the knock is heard and invite opportunity in.
Well the answer isn’t that simple as we may think about it. And many people already answered “yes, this is great and we need it”. Reading this question & then an article, my answer was same “yes, we need it “, but after I did some research I thought, maybe I’m wrong and maybe I’m not the only one.
Why?, because there is not only “Why You Should Be Networking” but also “Why You Should Stop Networking”
If you read 2 articles below, it is hard not to accept that both of them have strong points and describe the situation with the networking today: where good and bad walk shoulder to shoulder and we became addicted to it and when we are addicted to something - it is now always something that we need, but it is hard to stop.
-Sergei Karpovitch,
grodno5@yahoo.com
Links:
- http://www.jozzua.com/2007/02/25/reasons-why-you-should-network/
- http://www.womensleadershipexchange.com/index.php?pagename=resourceinfo&res…
Answers (210)
Gaurav Chatterjee (600+)linkedin.gaurav@gmail.com
Managing Partner of Expediant Strtegies & Managing Director of Expediant Solution
Best Answers in: Mentoring (1)… see more
Hi Steve
For me BOTH!
My networking split is 70% business, 30% pleasure. Networking, be it physical or online has and will always be important, no matter what work you are doing.
People network for 2 reasons…business and pleasure. I use a variety of websites like Linkedin, Orkut, Xing and Shelfari.
Business networking (and social networking as well) helps you get back in touch with old friends, colleagues and stay in touch with them. I guess it’s the “feel good” factor when you realize that you are not alone and do have friends around that draws people to network.
It has also helped people from my generation…around the time I graduated; internet was an unknown concept in India. In fact many did not have even have a phone back then. Thanks to the plethora of networking sites, I have managed to get back in touch with many of them.
Networking also helps you get in touch with people who share similar professional or personal interests. You can share ideas with them and learn from them…even can be useful in finding a job. But for the lack of time, I could just go on and on talking about how useful networking is.
Gaurav Chatterjee
Linkedin.gaurav@gmail.com
DSK Rao
President at Cybermate Infotek Limited, IT Strategist, Offshore /BOT expert
Best Answers in: Business Development (1)
Definitely Networking helps,but only if you can demonstrate ‘Value’ to the people in the Network. Mere Network without a differentiator may not help much. So one should first focus on value proposition and be sure about it before showcasing to their network/s.
Over the last year I was challenged with stepping into a consulting opportunity and being a Project Manager for a multi-million dollar multi-data center build out. The challenge was that the project was already underway, had no documentation for me to refer to and get up to speed and because the project is a multi-departmental endeavor there is a large amount of politics involved. It was through developing relationships and networking we are in our last phase of the build out and moving forward in a successful collaboration between all of the departments working to mitigate risk and achieve success in rapid order. This is just one of many experiences and examples where networking is the key to success.
Jan Mathijssen suggests this expert on this topic:
Dear Steven,
Jan De Vos is a networking expert in Belgium, expanding his business “internationally”.
Best regards, JM
Sabine Warford
President/CEO Nobility Coaching & Consulting, Inc.
Best Answers in: Mentoring (1)… see more
I network for professional as well as personal purposes. I have business partners who have turned friends and friends who have turned business partners over the years. I usually don’t pass up any opportunities to meet someone new and at least take the time to see if there may be a connection. Networking for me is less about finding clients and much more about having a genuine interest in people, business, and conversation.
Links:
Networking is healthy for anyone - entrepreneur or nine-fiver. The benefits are mainly expanding your sphere of influence and your professional growth. Any professional who doesn’t value those two things may as well dig a hole and get in or declare themselves king or queen of the one man band. But I can see why some would place less value in this method of “marketing” over other methods, because I personally have not received a load of “direct” business from networking groups or events as much as indirect, long-term branding of my small biz to others of influence within the same community who share the same business philosophies that I share - ethics, community involvement, etc. ~Kristen Ueckert, Real Estate Broker
Links:
Jean Wilson
Controller @ Richard Petty Racing Enterprises, LLC
Best Answers in: Compensation and Benefits (1)
In my previous position, one of my biggest mistakes was that I got so wrapped up in the daily grind of my job that I didn’t take time to network. The reality is that I enjoy networking and meeting new people and having new opportunities. When I found LinkedIn (it was recommended by 3 different publications), it was awesome. I look at the website every day, answer qauestions if I can, and get really excited when someone new joins my network.
I think it is an excellent way to move your career forward. Being successful has a lot to do with who you know. NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK!
Jean
Elizabeth Wallencheck
Owner, Nexus Career Strategists, Ltd.
Best Answers in: Job Search (5)… see more
This may sound odd coming from a career coach, but I used to be one of those people who hated the idea of networking. I’m old enough to remember when networking became a buzz word in the ’80’s and the way that the media presented it seemed shallow, manipulative, and mercenary. However, I soon learned in my professional life that networking happens naturally. It’s simply the real connection we make with people on the job, in professional associations, in the community, etc. And business or career networking is simply making these connections purposefully rather than haphazardly.
I think the major reason that people avoid networking is that they misunderstand it. The problem is that networking, at least in job search, appears to be a lot like other things like cold calling or job interviews — situation that make most people uncomfortable, so they simply avoid it. Others misuse it and either aren’t getting results from it or, worse, are turning people off.
Other excuses are that people dislike asking for help - again, based upon a misconconception. Proper networking is simply asking for information, advice, and referral, and by far, the vast majority of people are willing to help in that way.
Others don’t realize that networking is a two-way street. Not only do you benefit from the input and connections of others, but they might also benefit from information you can share, a referral, etc. Even in job search, they might be happy to learn that someone like you is in the market, whether it’s to pass along your name to a colleague or to consider you for their own hiring needs.
I agree with Charles, Business Success is 1/3 smarts, 1/3 work, and 1/3 opportunity.
Now, networking can help you with several aspects.
Smarts: By exchanging ideas with people who have different views, perspective, approaches and ideas, you can try new things that you would have not thought about yourself. When working with a multicultural team, I am always amazed by how different people solve problems differently.
Works: By networking, you can easily find people to help you out with a challenge or problem at work. If you need partners, a supplier, or clients, networking can help you find what you’re looking for fast and with higher and better quality.
Opportunity: Now this is a no brainer. You know the saying “At the right place, at the right time” Networking smartly and consistently will put you in many more places. It’s a matter of time before you will be at the right place at the right time.
After more than 25 years in IT consulting, I’ve found that research and study will tell you what tools and methodologies are available, but only networking will truly inform you which ones are worth the time, money and effort to pursue.
Andrew Stewart,
andrew@sbrconnections.com
LinkedIn is very different in it’s networking style than sites like Myspace or Facebook. LinkedIn is designed for Business networking, while those other sites are designed for social networking.
Social networking has benefits in business, but it is not as targeted. Business networking focuses on transactions, deals and building a network which benefits your overall company in real life.
What can be a hard line to draw is when people mix the two. Social networking involves adding tens of thousands of people you don’t really know, but would like to be associated with. There is no real purpose behind it except for what you may be able to receive or offer the person/organization.
Business networking is stronger when it is more focused on the people you meet on a daily basis. Also, a busy business person does not want to be bothered by constant adding from people they don’t really know. Depending on your purpose, huge networks do not necessarily benefit the company or person using the business networking.
Well, we all do networking, it’s just a matter of how we do it …
Why I do networking on sites like Linkedin? Because in today’s world you need to get answers, contacts, leads and references at speed of light, so you need to have a pool of brains and relationships to assist you.
By the way, I love the old / new saying : “Build your network while you don’t need it, to use it when you come to need it”
Regards.
Vladimir
Networking is probably best entrance portal to the upcoming business market. Many new students and grads look at networking as their way out of their mothers house or just to get away from the old neighborhood. I’ve experience having to take what I know and share it with many others by networking. Although, I have no credit for it, it still has me feeling like I have stepped up a notch to applying myself to the outside world around me. I can say that without knowing somebody out there, you’re liable to miss those opportunities that will see you ahead in life.
Baseemah Gaither also suggests these experts on this topic:
Great question, Steven!
As someone said, “Networking is not a numbers game. The idea is not to see how many people you can meet; the idea is to compile a list of people you can count on.”
~ Alla
~ email: akorenman(at)gmail.com
Links:
People are social creatures, so networking is natural and beneficial. There is a drawback though. While as needed introductions and references are not so hard to obtain for almost any reason with a relatively small network, very large networks might create potential conflicts of interest visible to outsiders. Thus a very large network can be an obstacle to the close bonds with key people.
Adam Lamentowicz
GT Consulting - Owner; PCC SE - Project Development Manager
Best Answers in: Supply Chain Management (2)… see more
I never leave any opportunity without my shot for exploring it…. Sometimes it results me being on more than one job at a time, but I certainly have no regrets whats so ever… Even if an opportunity appears at a later stage to be ‘fake’, It is always better to say that I have given it a shot and checked it out, than to wonder and never try…
As for networking I think its fun and helps business. The worst can happen from networking is that you make more friends and improve you knowledge as you learn from you network almost everyday little bits of information….
Peter Nguyen
Editor in Chief, CareerKnowledge.net (omnidigitalbrain@yahoo.com)
Best Answers in: Career Development (15)… see more
Networking is good, but few people master the art of strategic networking.
I created an acronym to reflect the various levels of networking effectiveness: S.C.O.P.E.
Secret
Confidential
Oral communications
Paper-based
Electronic
Electronic networking, such as when people invite one another on Linkedin, is the cheapest way to go. It may or may not be effective, depending on the extent to which you master knowledge-sharing and marketing.
However, as we go up the “ladder” of strategic networking and, ultimately, reach the Secret level, where CEOs and covert business agents share secrets, then the value of (or return on) networking exponentially explodes.
Lee Iacocca put it best when he said that “business is just a bunch of guys sharing notes.”
Venkatesh Rao
Researcher at Xerox, writer of the www.ribbonfarm.com blog
Best Answers in: Business Analytics (3)… see more
There ARE good reasons for shutting yourself off. Many professions thrive on connections, and LinkedIn is full of those types (including me) who’ve self-selected into it. Others can thrive on knowing just a few key good sponsors. Some people need/want to turn themselves into a personal brand whose USP is (partly) defined by his/her network, while others don’t. There is a definite (and very high) cost to networking for some sorts of work which require deep, focused, undistracted thought. Mathematics is one such (even though Paul Erdos, a major genius, is almost the symbol of social networking for the snooty ones who don’t like the Kevin Bacon metaphor). If were about 100 times as talented at math as I actually am, I’d maintain a few key collaborators and shut myself up and become a recluse just working on my problems. That’s what it took for Andrew Wiles to prove Fermat’s last theorem — 6 years of private secluded work! I personally know a few such recluses and feel privileged to know them and be one of their few paths to the rest of the world.
Zulkifly Jamaludin
Freelance Image / Business Consultant
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I am sure not everyone is comfortable to network . However if he/she in the business line , perhaps networking could ease the work to find a right vendors/business partner and not too mention creating a new whole business ideas .
But remember l your comfortability above the rest.
Trust yourself and have a confident .
If you’re looking to make anything happen in this world, you must network. Not much happens when you sit in the stands looking, you must get out there and see what opportunities are available and in most cases, it’s about who knows you and what you can do. As an entrepreneur, i found that no business happens unless you get out there and network, let the world know who you are, you may even get a date out of it. LinkedIn is a great way to network.
Links:
Christopher Mack also suggests this expert on this topic:
Though I personally believe strongly in networking as critical to building a successful business, I do see that many business owners and managers miss the boat on making this strategy work for them.
As a business consultant, I often hear that business owners and managers are “too busy” to spend time networking. Translated, this can also mean that they find it uncomfortable to do, so it falls to the bottom of their list of priorities.
I encourage all business owners to incorporate networking into their marketing strategy and to make sure that they include some type of networking activity into their schedule on a weekly basis.
I have had several clients who have built their businesses to $1MM before they even started any marketing other than networking and building referrals.
That is testimony to the fact that networking works!
I would like to suggest a great article on networking “How Leaders Create and Use Networks” (Harvard Business Review, January 2007).
It identifies three forms of networking: operational, personal, and strategic. Operational networking helps managers build good working relationships with colleagues. A personal network is a space for personal development and social interraction. A strategic network is a way of building strategic alliences both vertical and horisontal that cross organizational and functional boundaries. The article also tells you how to build these networks. Great read.
Yomar Lopez [ yomar.lopez@gmail.com ]
Modern Marketing Guru, Creative Geek, Success Coach & Business Growth Consultant
Best Answers in: Market Research and Definition (2)… see more
The easy answer is this: network as much as possible but try to make connections as “warm” as possible. That is, don’t become the piranha that is constantly trying to plug their business or do their sales pitch. I see this all the time and this is where networking becomes unproductive.
In his seminars and keynotes, Michael Dell tends to discuss his system for business, affectionateld called the “Three C’s System”, and I think this applies here. Every business can be broken down into three basic components: Content, Commerce, Community. Other successful business people have a similar system but one thing is always common: community is the biggest part.
Building a community is a combination of many efforts. Naturally, having good, unique content and, more importantly, frequently-supplied content, is key. Products and services are part of that content, along with the value-added content that we provide along with it. Some people feel that their products or services are so good that they do not need to network or “market” it. They feel it will sell itself. This is only the case if you have positioned your product or service so that it can take advantage of a void or a vacuum, as Seth Godin would describe. Most of us here in LinkedIn have a great, somewhat-unique idea, but it is hardly a “purple cow.”
When you offer something that is not viral or self-amplified, the people you connect with are everything. I believe in the simple philosophy of making a friend everywhere you go, no matter what walk of life they may come from. Instead of selling to people, sell through. Let them get to know you first because you are, in essence, the product of the product and, to an extent, a walking brand (see Tom Peter’s article in Fast Company for the “Brand of You” piece that was all the rave for NT Marketers everywhere). The opportunity will present itself naturally. They’ll ask you what you do and, if you don’t push hard, people will often offer their help.
Every time I go to a business function, product launch, professional mixer, seminar/convention, or a similar event, I see the sales piranha scaring people