The Power of Networking

There was a time when networking actually meant something. I'm not sure it means much nowadays. For instance, people boast of all the connections they have made on social networks. Yes, I understand that these are 'networks', but please note that simply having someone in your phone diary never constituted as networking. So simply having more than 500 connections on LinkedIn, for instance, doesn't mean that you're a champion networker. It just means that you have formed loose connections with a lot of people. It doesn't mean that these connections will ever develop into mutually beneficial relationships. But isn't that what networking is actually all about?

The concept of networking is to develop a group of people who can be mutually beneficial to each other. It doesn't simply mean reciprocity in a traditional sense. It also means connecting other people to each other in a meaningful way. Today's social 'networks' have really simplified this aspect. However, most people are content with adding more and more people into their 'networks' while not actually doing any networking at all. It has become a matter of pride to put the numbers on display regardless of the fact that none of these connections have actually proven beneficial and vice versa. Is there even any point to this charade?

The social networks are not to blame. They are simply tools. But the way professionals are using them is taking all the relevance out of networking. Networking is not about the number of connections, it is about mutual benefit. Hence, it is important to bring in the right people into your networks and form real relationships with them. The key is to get a better understanding of the person, their interests, and their goals, and to form meaningful relationships that result in mutual trust and respect. These connections form the backbone of true networking. They don't happen through 'Join me' links and 'I want to connect with you' emails but through sharing information and experiences.