The Engine and Fuel of a Network

by Byron Woodson II

I often hear people say 'I need to start networking', and 'I have to build a network'. Shoot, I even think that to myself sometimes. But that's putting the proverbial cart before the horse. That's just like saying you want to build a non-profit or a business, but you have no idea around which to build it!

People create networks around some central idea. Networks don't happen simply because people want to network. Networks happen because people want to network for some reason. If you want to build a house, you talk to loan officers, contractors, materials suppliers etc. When you have an idea, say to build a business, then you talk with business planners, lenders, customers and suppliers.

The conversation going in and around a network is the glue that holds a network together. The strength of your networks depend on how well those conversations you have facilitate the goals of your networking.

When you're in a business, the conversations you have are about producing a product or providing a service. When that conversation breaks down, business suffers and the business (a network) dissolves. When you move that conversation effectively, the business prospers. In that business, you go to industry conferences, dinners with clients, meetings with prospects, these are all networking events.

So when you network, you have to generate conversation around a particular goal or idea. When you identify your goals and ideas, then go network, it'll be way more productive and fun.