The Six Degrees Of Networking

Let's talk about your network. Whether you know it orthe judge.The safest path is to be honest and tell the
not you have several different types of networks:person how you feel (in a nice way, of course). I'm
business, family, friends, community, acquaintances andsorry I can't help you with your job search. If you had
so on. So, what are you doing to build and/or maintainstayed in touch I would be better prepared to help? If
the relationships in those networks? Let's face it. Not allthey get their feelings hurt, too bad. You are operating
relationships require the same strategy or plan forwith professionalism.The 6 degrees of separation:
maintenance. It is, however, important to understandLets consider A & B again. A or B gets a new job. It's
that more positive results come from networking in anot all that uncommon for an acquaintance to turn up
professional manner. It is very important to treat yourwithin your circle of business or become a person of
network with kid gloves. Continued contact proves toinfluence. Small world syndrome! What's in it for you?
maintain and cultivate the relationship no matter how itWould you want to work for them? Could you have
evolves.There may be people you don't even whothem serve as a reference? Is this someone you
know have the power to influence the outcome of aneed to cultivate on an ongoing basis to further your
particular situation you're in. Worse yet, you may nevercareer? Can you strengthen the relationship by helping
ever know it even after having lived through it.this person and therefore positioning yourself in a more
Sometimes it's just a matter of who knows you orfavorable light?Imagine that A or B knows your boss
whom you have met. It may depend on whom yoursocially. Would he/she be likely to speak of you
family knows, whom your cleaning lady knows, or onfavorably? A or B becomes a decision maker in his
whom your child's teacher knows.See theher new position. He/She is now someone you need
associations? Get the point? We are all connectedto call on. Will he/she have an open door policy? Will
and some say that it only takes six "connections" toshe/he hold a grudge forever because you did not
come full circle back to you. Keep that in mind as youhelp him/her previously? Would he/she then speak
cultivate your network. Not only are the people thatunkindly of you among acquaintances? A or B is now
you come in contact in your network but they alsoyour enemy and feels slighted because you didn't help
have ancillary connections to your network.Considerher/him. What possible influence can she/he have on
this example:your career? A or B hits a rough patch. Do you feel
Person A ? This person knows you fairly well. Youguilty for not helping him/her if it had been in your
have been at events together and an informal bond ofpower to do so?Do you see how we have come full
friendship established. You communicate on a sporadiccircle? Someone you know as an acquaintance today
and irregular basis about work issues. Person A falls ofcould be your boss or control your boss tomorrow.
the face of the earth for six months and does notYour cleaning lady could clean the house of your next
respond in any way to your attempts atboss. Or you could be sitting next to your future
communication. Suddenly, Person A needs a job andemployer at a PTA meeting. That being said, the best
he/she illicit your help.This is a tough call. Will you helpcourse of action is to remain professional. Even if you
him/her?Consider these points when making yourfeel that you have been taken advantage of or
decision:Person A gets back to you only when her/sheimposed upon. Strategically, it is important to stay
needs something. If you help person A is he/she likelyprofessional in all phases of our lives. What goes
to fall of the face of the earth afterwards? Will personaround comes around. It may not even take six
A reciprocate when you need assistance? Is it worthdegrees to do that!Discover the easy way to make
your time and energy to help person A? Remember,yourself stand out from others. How to become an
everyone has a limited amount of time and resources.expert in your field; How to write a better resume;
You need to continually assess how to maintain yourHow to write a personal press release; How to
relationships without monopolizing your time.Person B -accomplish things no one else is doing and to get
You know this person in a business sense as well.people to think about you in ways they have not
Person B sends you periodic notes and picks up thethought before and much more including critical
phone to call you and answers when you contact her.checklists for those important business meetings.This
This person does communicate, even if it's just a quickindispensable workbook will show you specific ways
email.to accomplish your personal branding goals and launch
Would you help this person? Consider these points inyour career into the stratosphere. We have done all
making your decision.the work for you with guidelines, cheat sheets and
Person B genuinely makes an effort to stay in touch.easy-to-use templates to customize for your own
Person B would most likely really appreciate youruse.So don't put off building your brand any longer.
efforts and remember it when he/she is in a position toDon't wait till your associates get your promotion or
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Person A were no longer in your life would you missthese materials don't work for you or in your business,
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