Death, Taxes, and Networking

BLOGGER'S NOTE:  It's estimated that networking has been in existence for the last 2000 years, so what better way to demonstrate its importance then by sharing words of wisdom from the "Ultimate Networker" himself, Mr. Benjamin Franklin.

 

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"IN THIS WORLD NOTHING CAN BE SAID TO BE CERTAIN EXPECT DEATH AND TAXES." 
As someone who worked in a variety of industries and positions including printer/publisher (Pennsylvania Gazette), writer (The Constitution, Poor Richards Almanac), politician (President of Pennsylvania, Minister to France and Sweden, 1st Postmaster General), and scientist/inventor (the principals of electricity and other cool stuff), I have to believe that Benjamin Franklin, one of our nation's busiest founding fathers, well understood the importance and absolute necessity of networking.  Actually, I'm convinced that if Mr. Franklin were alive today, in his Linkedin profile we just might find, "In our highly competitive business world, nothing can be said to be certain except networking, as it is essential to the job search as death and taxes are to life."


"WHO IS WISE?  HE WHO LEARNS FROM EVERY ONE" 
(Why Network)
Whether  finding a job, getting a promotion, or gaining new business, no statement could be truer than, "It's not what but who you know."  Plain and simple: people want to do business with those they know and trust.  Networking provides an excellent opportunity for professionals within the same or like industries, as well as similar positions to do just this:  get to know and trust one another.  Such interaction enables them to gain information, increase visibility, and establish connections that ultimately generate new opportunities and advancement in their current careers.  Not convinced?  Brian Uzzi and Shannon Dunlap's 2005 Harvard Business Review article on networking further emphasizes my point, "Networks deliver three unique advantages:  private information, access to diverse skill sets, and power."

 "ANY FOOL CAN CRITICIZE, CONDEMN AND COMPLAIN AND MOST FOOLS DO"  
(Overcoming Networking Negativity) 
Though networking is an excellent and necessary way to learn and grow professionally, a majority of those I know, if asked, would describe it using a few colorful four-letter words.  Why such a strong dislike of networking?  Most, aside from a few men I've dates, don't enjoy talking about or "selling" themselves to others.  Of course talking to people we don't know about ourselves can be intimidating and feel unnatural, as it goes against what we're repeatedly told as children, "Don't talk to strangers!"  In the business world, however, talking to strangers can mean the difference between finding a great job and staying unemployed, or advancing to the next stage in a career and feeling stagnant in a current role.
 
I'm not saying that those who don't like networking are fools.  I am, however, emphatically stating that those who do not see its value risk losing an emulous edge that now is imperative in our aggressive job market.  Not a founding father but a wise man and Forbes contributor, Glen Llopis offers excellent advice for those who are networking resistant.  "In business and in life – success is earned from learning how to do things that you don’t like doing."

"BY FAILING TO PREPARE, YOU ARE PREPARING TO FAIL" 
(Getting Started)

I won't sugar coat it, networking contains the word "work" for a reason.  It takes time and effort to build an influential, diverse, and reliable professional circle.  So where do most start?  Nowdays, and a significant shift from a few short years ago, social media, mostly Linkedin, has become the primary starting point for those seeking new opportunity and career advancement.

As I've addressed in previous posts, Linkedin is not only critical in the job search process, it is indispensable when building a professional network. Ray Williams, contributor to Psychology Today, says it best, "Linkedin is the go-to-site for business connections, it has become the search engine for
finding people."

Though Linkedin is critical in building a diverse network, it's important that job seekers and those looking to advance their careers are not using the likes of social media alone.  Just as the resume and Linkedin are not competing for relevance in the job search process, http://gstanford.blogspot.com/2014/01/resume-and-linkedin-profile-friends.html, neither are social media and face-to-face networking.  If used in conjunction, I guaranty that a networker will see next steps happen faster and with better results.

For those (perhaps under 40) who would argue networking begins and ends online, I'd like to share the following message from Bonnie Coffey, networking expert and consultant:  "The truth is, you can't progress very far in, say, finding potential clients/customers, a job search, and landing a business deal or making an important business connection through an internet platform.  I don't care how great your profile and picture are, the absolute key is making networking actually work face-to-face."

"AN INVESTMENT IN KNOWLEDGE PAYS THE BEST INTEREST" 
(Networking Face-to-Face) 
Investing in a cohesive blend of on and offine resources will pay the best interest for job seekers or career professionals looking to get ahead.  Since I've already deemed Linkedin the most relevant social media platform for networking, outlined below are several great and highly effective offline or face-to-face networking vehicles to explore in conjunction:

• Trade association events
•  Industry specific networking groups
• Alumni associations meeting or events
• Networking meetups
• Professional conferences
• Personal connections - family, friends, and other social circles
• One-on-one meetings, lunches, or coffee 

"DILIGENCE IS THE MOTHER OF GOOD LUCK" 
(Networking Tips)
Networking is all about diligence.  Even the best networkers with the most impressive circles have failed, and miserably!  How did they eventually find success?  By not letting the rejection of unreturned calls, emails, or cancelled meetings get them down.  They knew their goal and continued to move towards it; ultimately finding success.  I'll guaranty they found this success by incorporate a few, if not all of the tips below:

Ahhhh, who is this?

• Prepare - Convey a personal story worth hearing without self-promotion.
• Engage - Meet and connect with anyone who will offer their time.  Connections are often made in uninteresting ways and places!
• Help - Others generally are more motivated to open their network when someone else is doing the same.
• Listen - People feel valued when others take interest in what they have to say and most times will reciprocate.
• Follow Up - After connecting with someone online, continue the conversation by meeting in-person and having coffee, lunch, or an inform meeting.
• Fail - Something that doesn't work often leads to something that does, so don't be afraid to do it wrong.

"EITHER WRITE SOMETHING WORTH READING OR DO SOMETHING WORTH WRITING"
(... but don't draw anything!)
Though my attempt to draw Ben Franklin in eight easy steps turned out to be not so easy, I promise my next post, where I will share the most effective tips and trick for networkers on Linkedin, absolutely will be worth reading!