It's Not What You Know, It's Who You Know

At one time I found this unsettling. It seems wrong that connections could be more important than knowledge, skills, or capabilities. Well, think of it this way - what good are knowledge, skills, or capabilities without connections? Who will use your knowledge, tell others about your skills, or benefit from your capabilities?

The info biz is about nothing if not networking. At some level it's not even about the information, it's about putting the information into the hands of the people who need it. Having a robust network increases the odds of making this happen.

So, what are some options for growing and sustaining your network? For face-to-face relationship building, it's hard to beat the professional associations. You can join those related to your profession (in my case that's AIIP and SLA) or to the industry of your market. The local chamber of commerce or a service club such as Rotary are other options. Of course once you join you will want to volunteer on a committee, write for the association publication, or speak at association events in order to increase your visibility and build deeper relationships.

If you work inside of an organization, be sure to follow the same advice. Raise your profile and make yourself known by volunteering. Getting to know people beyond that casual "hi" in the halls will immediately expand your sphere of influence.

For virtual networks there are a number of options. Some have been discussed in this blog before. Be sure to explore LinkedIn, Plaxo, and Facebook to see if they have potential for you.

For more on networking visit Bootstrapper's 75+ Tips on Becoming a Better Networker, AARP's Value of Networking, and from Searcher Magazine, Online Social Networks, Virtual Communities, and Information Professionals by Reid and Gray.

Remember, it's not what you know, it's who you know. Who do you know?