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Success Skills:
In this time of rapid change you can't know all that you need to know; but you can know who can find out.
The new poverty has been defined as lack of access to information.
This does not mean that access to information is a guarantee of success. What
we need is a formula for selecting and using the right information, quickly,
effectively, at the right time.
Today's success is a quilt of information patches pieced together
by creative people into a beautiful timely pattern.
Networking is the stitching that holds the patches together.
It penetrates all the quilt layers becoming part of the pattern
and keeping the warm stuffing layer in place. To push the
image just a bit to make the point, networking is also a communication
system that will warn you when part of the economy is about
to roll over and take the quilt with it. Success is not just
information which rapidly becomes dated it is the system of
using the right information effectively.
The New Success Formula - the right information
from innovative people whose ethics you trust.
In the old Industrial Economy networking was used by the powerful
to get around rules. Through personal connections they kept
success and its benefits in the hands of a few. In an economy
that is just emerging there are no set new rules; no traditions
of power. We need networking to find the best patches of skills,
awareness and perspectives that we must have to adapt at each
step of a new economic era and workplace. A new era creates
a level playing field as no one knows where the next change
and the required adaptive information are coming from.
Definition: Networking is an informal system of mutually
beneficial exchange. It connects people and information through
relationships based on skill, experience and respect.
Some believe that collecting business cards and making cold
calls is networking. If networking is an art then this style
is like a portrait of Elvis painted on black velvet. It may
hang on a wall next to a Monet but it is not in the same class.
This style may have a certain value as a lead generator but
no one with an extensive quilt of valuable networking relationships
will expose their valued colleagues to an unknown and untested
person waving a business card.
1. Listening is invaluable. Learn to listen for a change;
opportunity is xxioften caught in a casual remark, an idea at
the edge of a joke, a xxibusiness opportunity in a complaint
about poor service.
2. Be prepared to give before you get.
3. Be positive. Positive attracts people.
4. Never look needy and greedy. Be sincere.
5. The group and occasion provide the opportunity; YOU provide
the xxxnetworking.
As the President of a network I despaired for the inevitable
complainer at each meeting who claimed that she "didn't get
any thing", "the dinner was too small (or too big!)", "the
speaker did not give me the answer I wanted". She was invariably
followed by a person inspired, energized, bubbling over with
possibilities. Hard to believe they attended the same meeting.
The heart of the art is knowing to ask, when to ask and how
to keep your requests in balance with the stage of your relationship
with that person or group.
Networking is a positive force that flourishes in the right
atmosphere. Any group from a squash club to a professional
organization to mothers meeting at a daycare can be a great
network. Other groups do not work well beyond the club level.
Is it better to join a professional association for your career
area or a group that has a more general membership? Both would
be best. While it is constructive and comfortable to spend
time with people who all "speak your language" where you can
"know everyone", who will you speak to and who do you know
if a technical advance or a social / economic shift downsizes
your industry?
An issue group can be a wise choice. Pick a cause that is
new or an issue of current community concern. These groups
are more likely to attract innovative creative people. Check
how the group is managed. If the group is not following the
rules of proper governance there may be a public problem that
negates all your networking efforts.
When you join - volunteer! It is your chance to show off your
skills and character. Serve on a Board! A word of caution;
a title will not build relationships. It will attract attention
but then you must deliver; effective effort and results are
key. People will assume that your volunteer standards are
your professional standards.
A good network provides:
1. Up to the minute direct and indirect information
2. Business opportunities
3. Skills development in a supportive atmosphere.
4. Power of the group's reputation to back you
5. A community of support
6. An energizing monthly reminder of your goals
7. Access to top speakers on current trends
8. Connections to help you in your personal life
9. Fun!
A good Network will assist you with today's needs
and prepare you for tomorrow's possibilities.
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