When I was starting out in my career more than 25 years ago, some people would look at each other with disdain and say, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know”, as if using connections to get a job was to be frowned upon. It gave you an unfair advantage over the rest of the field. A client said the same thing to me recently, and we talked about how connections are now seen as a huge positive. The power of networking is stronger than ever. It’s always been important, as the most successful in business would know, but in our super-connected and competitive world, I’d be using anything that gives you an advantage (and I mean anything legal).
Networks have many benefits: from bringing new customers and clients to your door, to providing learning opportunities from peers and mentors, to expanding your knowledge and experience at industry functions and events, and can be fun socially (something about all work and no play….)
Networks are a fantastic resource to be utilised when looking for a new job opportunity, and for professional development. So talk to people about what you’re doing, your goals, where you see yourself heading, what you enjoy! Discuss ideas. Proactively cultivate your network – keep in touch with interesting and knowledgeable people who may be able to open doors for you, or put you in touch with someone who can. You’ll definitely have some fun, and the effort might pay dividends when you need it most.
Just when you think you have exasperated every avenue through social media and means of the internet in trying to find that link, name or connection to what you believe is the answer to opening communications in getting you closer to your goal.
Well isn’t it amazing when we just take a step back and turn to our friends and talk openly about what we are trying to achieve, you’ll be amazed at the ‘what’ they know and the ‘who’ they know. I had been trying my hardest since I became engaged in my field of work back in 2007 when trying to make what I thought were the right connections through cold calling, emailing and endless internet searches that never truly gave me the desired results.
However what I have learned is that by putting yourself out there by meeting and speaking to people face-to-face, you’ll create a networking system that has so many more benefits. It is always easier remembering someones name if you can put a face to it, social media is great but it does take away the ‘personal’ interaction, such as the smiles, the hand shakes, the warmth and the genuine character that a person can portray. A person’s first impression can last a life time. I know which I would rather have.
Never under estimate the power of networking and with thanks to Lynda, I now seem to have established something very valuable for my own personal development and a journey that I know is only going to open up so many more doors of possible opportunity.