N is for Networking
N is for Networking
N is the fourteenth letter of the alphabet. When you look at N in isolation, the first word that comes to mind is “No”. But hey, N does not represent only Negative words. It also has a plethora of positive words like Nature, Nurse, Nation, Nimble, Noble, Neat, Nourishment and Normal.
It is also the first letter of the Indian greeting “Namaste” or “Namaskar” which is getting global recognition as the best “touch-free” greeting in the world, making us Indians proud of our heritage.
The word I have chosen to explore is Networking. Networking is a Nice, Notable and Non-negative powerful force that makes this world move.
For technology buffs, networking refers to a collection of computers, servers, mainframes, network devices, peripherals, or other devices connected to one another to allow the sharing of data. An excellent example of a network is the Internet, which connects millions of people all over the world. At a smaller level, a network could be a set of computers and other devices connected to one another in a home or office setting.
But the networking I am referring to is a connection between friends, peers or colleagues with some common ground. It involves the exchange of information and ideas among people with a common profession or special interest, usually in an informal social setting, to the extent where mutual interests are served.
Networking is used by professionals to expand their circles of acquaintances, to further their business interests or career opportunities in their fields, and to increase their awareness of news and trends in their fields or in the greater world. Business owners may network to develop relationships with people and companies they may do business with in the future. Professional networking platforms like Linkedin provide an online location for people to engage with other professionals, join groups, post blogs, and share information.
Another form of networking is the social networking that occurs in parties, get-togethers and functions in the real world, but more so on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and what have you. Some of these provide a safe space for expression and building connections. Of late, most of these platforms have also evolved into business platforms for those who know how to use them. Needless to say, they are also fraught with a degree of risk when it comes to sharing personal data or financial information.
The basis of any kind of networking is a common interest, a level of trust and a sense of safety or confidence. While some of us may just enjoy the attention and human contact for emotional support and need to express our thoughts.
The reality of this world is that most of the decisions made by important people are influenced by their network. Whether it is political appointments, or jobs, or business deals, or personal favours — they all have an element of influence from the decision maker’s network. The network gets built over time through one’s contacts and friends in school, college, work-life and even family connections. When you have a common ground or a common connection in your background, a certain element of trust and confidence is already built into the interaction. But keeping it alive and strengthening it takes a lot of work on a constant basis.
It could be small interventions in the form of greetings or enquiries or just regular updates about one’s journey. Or it may be an effort to invest in the relationship by making time to be with the other person in their time of need or letting them be a part of your success and joys by including them in your circle of celebration. In a way, it is like a savings bank, that you deposit small trust-building actions through constant effort and empathy, and withdraw them in the form of support when you need a favour from the other person.
In my work experience, involving years of customer interactions and career moves, I have seen the benefits of building and nurturing a network first hand. As they say, people like to deal with people. An element of trust or benevolence that one displays through one’s words and actions, that appeals to the human being in the person you are dealing with, makes all the difference between a yes and a no.
More often than not, the investment one makes in a connection, shows up in one’s favour when one is least expecting it. I have several anecdotes from my own life story that I could relate to networking.
These days, many agencies conduct networking events. There is also a whole industry with a business model that works on network marketing.
The value of personal networks gets especially emphasized in hours of crisis like the current pandemic, were making new connections is proving to be a challenge in a virtual world.
I know there is a perspective of an idealist which may find the whole idea of networking a bit irrational or unfair. It would be interesting to discuss this because I have seen that networking with people actually makes things happen faster than anything else. Let me know what you think.
