The Importance of Networking !
<< The Importance of Networking >> Kevin Yeow (SNSI) @Copyright
2005. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. Unauthorised reproduction
strictly prohibited.
Networking.
Successful people do it; unsuccessful people don't. It's just
that simple. If you are good at it, you can own the world. If
you are not, you will miss out on many valuable opportunities.
The power of knowing the right people, having the right
connections, and being a player is tremendous. When you network
effectively, all the pieces fall into place - your career takes
off, your investments are returning well, your connections get
you the best business openings - you can have anything you want,
and life is good. Those at the top will attest to the power of
networking. Most of them will even credit their success to
networking.
By definition, Networking is the reciprocal process of
exchanging ideas, opportunities, experiences, information,
knowledge & expertise that w ill enhance our professional &
personal lives - possibly contributing exponentially in return
to the effort investment.
Through the system of Networking, we achieve the potential of
knowing the 'right' people (contacts or 'guan xi' in China) and
for the 'right' people who will know us.
If we examine our own experiences, we may realise that most
times, we prefer to do business with those whom we know, whom we
trust. We can know and develop trust thru the active action of
networking. This is why building a good network will prove
invaluable.
Another view of networking is that it allows us to gather new
knowledge, new skills, new expertise from people with the
intimate & specialized knowledge. As quoted from 'The Secrets of
Savy Networking' by Susan Roane: 'The closest thing to knowing
something is knowing where to find it. (Powerful people have
linkages that are plentiful, diverse and expansive - and are
able to get things done because of those linkages.)'
We all have an innate need to communicate, an innate need to
commune. Networking is that process & opportunity that provides
for us to know each other better so as to form a close-knit
community that co-operates & help each other.
In Business, it helps in closing deals, finding resources or
testing strategies.
In Career, it helps in finding the desired jobs fro m the
desired companies.
What is Effective Networking ? Now, some may think that
networking may be easy - just socialize, chit chat, small talk
over coffee, beer, wine. Such viewpoints are not right
especially if one wants to achieve specific objectives - then
how effective the networking would be would depend on a number
of key factors. The individual networking skills, how one
communicate also plays an essential role.
Every contact that we meet is important. Every time we meet
someone - it happen at the same place & time for both parties.
While each encounter may not specifically meet our networking
objectives, how we expand & enhance each encounter would be
important.
Just as important is the setting, venue, ambience where the
networking takes place. Choosing the right dedicated organizer
with the right program & organization would definitely serve in
enhance our encounters.
Think about it. Networking is an investment. It is an investment
of our money, time & effort. If we consider the ROI of
networking - then we may want to seriously consider how we
network, where we network to increase our effective networking
returns
By: Kevin Yeow, Strategic Network Synergy International (SNSI),
http://www.strategic-network.com