JP\/10\/JOB<\/p>\n
Networking for competitive advantage<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Relationships are at the heart of our lives. And
\nit can also be said that our professional relationships are at
\nthe heart of our success.<\/p>\n
Networking, therefore, has become an invaluable skill, tool or
\norientation. \"It's not what you know, but who you know\" is a
\nfamiliar saying, yet it is only half true.<\/p>\n
The reality is, in order to manage a career, have your
\nbusiness grow, or to steer your personal or professional
\nendeavors in the right direction, it is who knows you.<\/p>\n
Talent alone will not prevail, nor will skill, experience or
\nintelligence. It is the contacts you have made, and the
\nconnections you have established, that contribute to your
\nsuccess.<\/p>\n
Success is relative because you know what you want, what you
\nvalue and what you are willing to do to achieve it.<\/p>\n
\"Paying your dues\" or doing what you have to do to progress is
\nunavoidable, but you can influence the process if you have
\nvisibility and credibility in your profession, industry, company
\nand community.<\/p>\n
With the increasing use of the Internet and other high-tech
\ninstruments, information becomes crucial for competitive
\nadvantage. Information becomes power when it is exchanged. In
\nthis context, networking enhances both personal and professional
\naspects of your life and increases your power, position,
\ninfluence and quality of life.<\/p>\n
What is networking?<\/p>\n
The late Sally Livingstone, an educator and writer on the
\nsubject, defined it as a \"reciprocal process based on the
\nexchange of ideas, advice, information, referrals, leads and
\ncontacts where resources are shared and acknowledged\".<\/p>\n
\"There is also a spirit of sharing that transcends the
\ninformation shared. The best networkers reflect that spirit with
\na genuine joy in their 'giving'.\"<\/p>\n
Networking will work for you if you appreciate the path and
\nprocess as well as the destination.<\/p>\n
In this regard, the importance of developing and refining your
\nfollow-up skills cannot be underestimated. There is no process of
\nnetworking, no sharing of information, resource nor referral that
\noccurs without it. Behaviors and actions support words and the
\nlack of either subverts them.<\/p>\n
If you do not have a particular piece of information, it does
\nnot matter, as long as you know someone who may have it.<\/p>\n
The closest thing to knowing something is to know where and
\nhow to find it.<\/p>\n
Powerful people have linkages that are plentiful, diverse, and
\nexpansive -- and are able to get things done because of those
\nlinkages. But do not look only at \"powerful\" people.<\/p>\n
Everyone has something to contribute; some area they know
\nwell. The objective is to find out what that \"something\" is.<\/p>\n
How can I begin or refine my networking?<\/p>\n
If credibility is an important factor, begin with yourself.
\nWhen we take time to assess who we are, what we have done and
\nwhat we know, we will have an accurate picture of ourselves. If
\nthere is no focus or particular interest, become an expert in a
\nparticular area.<\/p>\n
Choose an area of keen interest to you so you will enjoy the
\nbooks to be read, the conversations to occur, the research to be
\ncompleted and the diligence required to master the subject.<\/p>\n
One way to learn about yourself is by paying attention to
\ncompliments. You can learn things about yourself that will be
\naffirming, make you feel good and boost your confidence. Remember
\nthat being asked for a recommendation or referral also implies
\nthat your opinions are respected.<\/p>\n
Do not underestimate your potential to contribute something
\nothers may find valuable.<\/p>\n
Review your address book or card file.<\/p>\n
Examine your network of personal relationships. These are your
\nimmediate family members, relatives, close friends, neighbors,
\ncasual acquaintances, your family doctor, dentist, insurance
\nagent and your children's teachers among others.<\/p>\n
Examine your network of professional relationships: colleagues
\nin your organization and other organizations, vendors,
\nconsultants, lawyers, bankers and advertising agents
\namong others.<\/p>\n
Examine your network of organizational and community
\naffiliations: community or voluntary organizations, fund-raising
\ngroups, chambers of commerce and cultural or civic organizations
\njust to name a few.<\/p>\n
Examine opportunistic networks such as the participants of a
\nrecent seminar you attended, the person you talked to in the
\nelevator this morning and the sales clerk at the AM\/PM
\nconvenience store.<\/p>\n
Networking takes time and energy, can be inconvenient, may
\ninvolve spending money and requires your involvement. The
\nbenefits, though, far outweigh these factors mentioned. Benefits
\ninclude a generation of ideas, leads or referrals, advice,
\nemotional support, brainstorming and your positive involvement
\nwith people.<\/p>\n
The ability to communicate, share resources and network allow
\nus to embrace life and its changes, not just to manage them.<\/p>\n
As Irham Dilmy, my partner, added, \"networking\" is also a form
\nof silaturahim or in Indonesian society, supporting our religious
\nand cultural beliefs.<\/p>\n
Embrace networking if you like and respect people, if you want
\nto be a resource and contribute to others and if you appreciate
\nthose who have been a resource and contributed to your life.<\/p>\n
In the end, it is also seeing the bigger picture of the
\nfuture. We do things for no reason or immediate return.<\/p>\n
\"What goes around comes around\" is a tenet of networking and
\nof life.<\/p>\n
This article was contributed by Pri Notowidigdo, the managing
\npartner of Amrop International, a member firm of The Amrop Hever
\nGroup-Global Executive Search.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jp10job-1447899208",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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