Your network: the vast, ignored and untapped resource

August 18, 2007 · Posted in Networking, People Skills

There is a great commercial on television from a wireless service provider that touts the benefits of having their network standing behind you, where-ever you go. It’s a great concept – having a large network of people, who are at your disposal, to provide you with any help for any problem that you may encounter.

The commercial appeals to all of us, because subconsciously we understand that there is indeed a vast but often ignored and overlooked source of:

information
talent
help and assistance
potential financial funding
advice
ideas
contacts

…at your disposal. It is your network. It is the people that you know plus all the people they know and so forth.

This priceless resource often goes untapped because:

1. Most people overlook their network. These people simply have no idea that there is value in people.

2. The value of your network is discounted. People don’t understand the potential nor the far-reaching effects of a geometric progression, which is what your network is – an ever expanding network of people that begins with you. Each person you know, knows someone else, who in turn, knows someone, who … You get the point and you have probably discussed this topic before.

This is what the “six degrees of separation” concept is all about. The theory is that each person on earth is connected to every other person on the planet by six steps ( or people ) or less. Due to the growth of the internet, the reality is that the degree of separation is probably less than six.

3. You are afraid to ask for help. Why would anyone want to help you? They are your friends and relatives, aren’t they? Most people enjoy helping others – they want to help – by helping you, you are helping them to feel good about themselves. They will be flattered that you asked.

If it is a fear of rejection that is stopping you, then you must realize that nothing ventured is nothing gained. You didn’t have their help to start with, so you haven’t lost anything. Move on to the next person and ask again.

Your network is powerful and huge – for everybody. It doesn’t matter who you are, there is someone that you know who can help you do whatever it is that you want to do. You just have to:

decide what it is that you want and need
be able to explain your needs
start introducing your plan and needs to the people you know
ask the people you know to ask the people they know
ask for an introduction when a possible resource surfaces
explain your needs and try to negotiate some sort of quid pro quo ( you help me and I’ll help you )

Most of the time, your network will work for you – if you use it. Otherwise, your network is just a bunch of people that you know, hang out with or are related to.

Tags: networking, your+network, your+resources