October 2, 2009
Posted by Ryan Graves
Why Just Growing Your Network Is Horse$h!t
image via briansolis
I’m in a GE management training program full of over achievers. These individuals are smart and know how to play the corp ladder climbing game very well. One thing I here all the time is, “I need to build my network”. I’ve always questioned this sentiment because I question the value of a big network.
When these people talk about having a large network what I believe they really mean to say is, I need to grow the value of my network.
Here’s where their argument falls apart. An individual can have an enormous network but if they aren’t known for the right things it’s worthless. If a person has a reputation for being a lush, the larger their network, the worse. You’ve got to be known for the right things with the right people for you network to be of value.
For all the folks who have said, I need to grow my network, try just working hard to impress your existing network. A referral is so much more powerful than a cold call so stop just blindly reaching out to people, spend your time working hard on being impressive and your existing network will introduce you to others with a strong recommendation. Your network will then not just be a bunch of names, it will be a powerful web of people who know you’re legit and that you can call on in the future. Build your network through your network and the results will be astounding.
Focus on your reputation with your existing network and your network building and corp ladder climbing will be much more fruitful.
