Before I started work I thought networking was a cut throat activity, coined by the likes of Rebecca Brooks and only practiced in big 4’s by those eager to get the next big promotion. Whilst it’s true that in a lot of companies, internal networking is essential in positioning yourself for your next opportunity, for the most of us, the real value lies in the long term relationships we build outside of work.
We now firmly live in the ‘information society’ where it is the information we as individuals and companies hold that drives the majority of our activity; politically, culturally and not least, economically.
Networking, is by definition about ‘who’ you know, but in this new economy ‘what you know, and how you share it’ can no longer be dismissed.
Let’s take the MOOC. The ‘Mass Online Open Courses’ that are changing the way we learn and distribute information; sharing knowledge with the masses based purely on an ability and desire to learn rather than any socioeconomic considerations. (My favourite provider is Future Learn )
Networking in this new society is much the same, in that it is no longer about prestige or the number of ‘big’ names you know, but about mutual interest, need and expertise.
It is through collaboration and development of ideas that great innovation comes to pass, and future proof companies, are those who not only understand the value of sharing expertise and experiences, but who actively encourage their employees to do so.
If you work for one of these organisations you may well have tapped into the value of networking, and be supported in doing so, but if you’re not, you may be missing a trick.
Over the past 16 months I have been lucky enough to be mentored by Michelle Brailsford, founder of Jupiter consulting and member of the European Professional Women's Network advisoary board.
In mentoring me and the networking community I run for aspiring HR professionals (myHRcareers) she has shown me the meaning and power of an authentic network.
‘Anything you need done’ she told us at our very first networking party, ‘can be done through your network faster, cheaper, better’, and thus far she has not been proved wrong.
But the network needed to deliver this kind of true value is one that is built upon mutual interest and honesty. Without that desire to learn and share, the ‘who’ will never be of value.
Her simple rule for networking is ‘be interested, not interesting’ and it is from this perspective that all networking should be approached.
Without interest and the desire to pursue and share it, the ‘who’ will never be of value, and nor will any of the opportunities offered to you be.
This year, I challenge you to define your interests, then go and share them. You never know what it may lead to.
