Creating a Network from Scratch

Creating a Network from Scratch Heres the thing, you have been networking all along, you just didnt call it that.   Take the focus off of job search and youll feel better about networking. The Harvard Business Review (dont I feel cool for reading this), has a great piece on how leaders create networks.   How Leaders Create and Use Networks.(oldie but a goodie) The idea behind this brief is that there are 3 different types of networks: Personal:   people outside of your company who can assist in your professional development Operations:   those you need to complete tasks or accomplish work Strategic:   people  (not direct reports)  who can help you reach company goals/objectives I love this idea because it provides a structure and plan for moving forward.   Instead of meeting all kinds of people with no purpose or reason, you know why you want to meet someone.   This fosters a life-time comittment to the notion of networking. There was post on Keppie Careers about not networking like a bumper car!   Great analogy and a good lesson in it. My friend, Mike Lally posted on the topic of social networking.   Mike has been a long time user of LinkedIn and he uses it with a purpose.   He knows who he wants to Link in with and WHY! You cant fight it, learn to develop your extroverted side.   Learn to love meeting new people!