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The Importance of Networks
by Kevin Eikenberry
Imagine yourself
on the highwire, walking confidently across, focused and successful. Now
step back and look at that picture. In order to have that confidence and
success, what is necessary (besides skill and experience)? A net! None
of us can work without a net, and, like the person on the highwire, the
bigger and better connected the net, the more successful and confident
we’ll be. How is your Net working?
Tending and
building your personal network is like tending your garden, you will only
reap what you sow. If you don’t pay any attention to your garden,
weeds will grow up, causing your harvest to be reduced. Preserving and
building your network requires an investment, just like your garden.
Consider
the boomerang . . . What you send out will come back, somehow, someway!
You may be
saying, I don’t have a need for a big network, I’m not in sales,
or I don’t own my company. I think you’re wrong! Consider these
facts:
- 70% of
jobs are filled through a network.
- Networking
can save time and energy in getting things done.
- Networking
is a way for us to help other people reach their goals.
- Networking
is a way for us to reach our own goals more quickly.
We’ve
all seen it happen, someone calls us, or offers us something, just as
we need it. And we may be confused as to how this person knew, or how
they even knew who we were. The answer? Your network. Somewhere along
the way, you did something to help someone, and in sowing that, you were
able to reap later. It’s like a the boomerang. When you throw it,
you know it will come back. But you don’t always know how or when.
How do we nurture and grow our network, how do we sow, so that we can
reap later? Here are some thoughts, followed by some specific ideas.
How’s
your net working?
Truly effective
networking is a process of mutual benefit. If you focus your attention
on how you can help the other person, on the relationship itself, you’ll
be heading the right direction. Remember that the key is your intent.
If your intent is to serve and help the others in your network, then you
will get the boomerang back... with interest!
Two suggestions.
Two things you can do this week (today!) To build and strengthen your
network.
- Say thank
you! More specifically, make a note to send three thank you notes this
week. Send them for small or large things. Send one even if it’s
way overdue. Hand write them! Put it on your calendar. Do it every week.
- When talking
to others, ask yourself "How can I help?" Is there a person
you can recommend, a resource they might find useful, a book you know
of? Is there any way you can think of to help? Asking yourself this
question will make you a powerful networker.
These suggestions
and this mindset will strengthen and grow your network. Is that important?
Only if you’d like more confidence and success.
Copyright © 1997 - All Rights Reserved, Kevin Eikenberry and The Kevin Eikenberry Group.
Kevin Eikenberry is the Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group and author of Vantagepoints on Learning and Life. To read more stories like the one above or order your copy of the book visit Vantagepoints or contact Kevin at (317) 387-1424 or toll free 888.LEARNER.
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