EYN#054: Don't Neglect Your Network. Give it Fuel.

Have you neglected your network?

Without my network:

• I wouldn't have got my best job.
• I'd have failed in my corporate role.
• My business would be bankrupt.

I wouldn't have got my best job.

Years ago, a chap I'd worked with at Microsoft called me. I'd helped him out in the past, done a good job and kept in touch with him.

Other Chap: "I've got a job, you'd be brilliant for it".
Me: "Nope, I want to do this other job I`m interviewing for".
Other Chap: "Well, if it doesn’t work out, let me know".

The other job didn't work out, I joined his team and it was one of the best jobs I had. I worked in a great team, learnt a tremendous amount and it set me up of the rest of my career.

Learning - Do a good job, build your reputation and keep in touch with people.

I'd have failed in my corporate job.

In a highly matrixed, fast paced, complex corporate environment, knowing who can help you get things done is the difference between success and failure. The process and tools can often lag behind the reality of getting stuff done. Knowing who can help, and having a relationship that means they will actually help is vital.

Learning - Proactively get to know people that can help you get stuff done. Help them out and don't be scared to ask for help yourself.

My business would be bankrupt.

Without doubt the survival of my fledgling business is a result of my network and reputation. All of my big clients are people who knew me from my corporate life. They knew what I could do and how it would help their business.

Learning - Your reputation lasts. Make it a good one. Make an effort to let people know what you're doing and talk to them about it.

Your network is an engine. Give it fuel

Are you putting fuel in? Time and thought.

Invest in your network and it will pay you back generously. It's not rocket science. Here are the basics:

• Put time and effort in - Set aside some time each week to network. Internal and external.
• Build your reputation - Do your best and do what you said you would. 
• Keep in touch with people - Don't just grow your network. Focus some time on what you've already got.
• Tell people what you're doing - Communicate. Don't operate in a silo.
• Ask for help - Don't be scared to ask. You wouldn't mind if someone asked you.

Hope this helps.

Ben