HAVING an endless reserve of numbers saved in your cellphone’s contact list does not mean you have a good network. Do you remember who these contact people are and what they do? When was the last time you had a positive result?
These are some of the questions you need to ask when assessing the value of your network, says Natalie Rabson of Boston City Campus and Business College.
“People always find ways to connect with others – just look at the success of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube,” she comments. “In the midst of this networking fever, it’s easy to forget that a network should have value beyond filling time and space.
But how do you determine the value of your network? According to Rabson you have to go back to the very beginning, to the reason why you started building your network in the first place.
“Some people build their contact lists just to get huge numbers, so they can say they have 1 043 ‘friends’.
“They accept every ‘friend request’ whether the person has meaning in their life or not. And others network merely for the sake of saying they know ‘so-and –so’ she says.
“For them, being associated with ‘desirable’ name is sufficient as that is what they value. But let’s face it, most of us use social networks because we wish to give and receive something from each person in our networks. When you give out your contact details, she points out, you are in essence inviting that person to stay in contact with you. Boston advises its students to build networks that can:
“Who you know is as important as what you know, so to have a good network of people rallying behind you can boost your career,” says Rabson. “The much talked about ‘Battle of the Kruger’ video clip on YouTube illustrates this beautifully. A family of buffalo is attacked by a pride of lions. “The lions manage to catch the young buffalo while the two adults run away.
But before the lions manage to kill their prey, the adult buffalos return with reinforcements – a whole big heard of angry buffalo. “The buffalo chase away the lions and save their young one. Seeing is believing, so watch the clip and see the power of a good support network in action”.
Adjust your network as you move on in life and start climbing the career ladder. “Think about networking with people with whom you can share ideas, ask for assistance or brainstorm solutions”, says Rabson.
“Executives in high places can feel isolated and weighed down by responsibilities – it is tough at the top, too – and networking with each other alleviates the burden”. Create “groups” with your contacts, as you want different things from different people.
While you may simple chat with social friends, if you are not getting a response from networking contacts, that relationship may not be worth pursuing. Keep in mind that you should also have some value proposition to offer the other people in your network.
“First establish rapport with a person and ensure that building a connection with him or her holds the promise of mutual benefit,” Rabson advises. Before swapping contact details with someone, she suggests you consider the following:
Once you add someone to your network, you need to maintain contact and develop the relationship. Remember to revisit your network from time to time to assess whether the individuals on the network are still relevant in terms of where you are in your personal and working life.
Boston City Campus and Business College offers over 80 dynamic career qualifications throughout 48 branches nationwide. Unisa degrees and media studies are available at selected branches. Contact Boston at 011 551 2000, e-mail info@boston.co.za, visit www.boston.co.za or catch up with Boston students on the Boston Facebook group page.
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