YOU NEED TO KNOW PEOPLE

If you need to hear the latest gossip on the Deputy Chief Justice of Kenya Nancy Baraza and the now famous security guard madam kerubo, just say the above statement to any Kenyan and violà , you got your story. The context under which that phrase was used got the DCJ into trouble and as such I will subvert the use of that statement to a different context.

The saying that, “It's not what you know, it's who you know” is very common in our realist world. This statement is mainly common among job seekers and even business people. Your talents, abilities, and experience may never take you anywhere if nobody knows you exist. It is therefore crucial for one to understand the value of networking and to understand that fellow human beings are a vast resource. Life is so much easier if you know who to talk to on what issue.  There is no one who is self sustaining. Whether you are in school, looking for employment or doing business, it is paramount that one take  networking seriously and do it on purpose. In fact research has shown that Networking accounts for more than 60% of annual hires and has proven to be the best way to find a job or internship.

You can either network on purpose or randomly. Some have developed very good people skills and can network easily and randomly.  We all have people in our lives we really can’t tell how they got there.

Many people shy away from networking on purpose because of various reasons, some of these are stereo types associated with networking.  An article on Wiki-how records three major stereo types.

• Networking can seem insincere, pretentious, or even manipulative. And if that's what you're thinking, you're probably right... about some of it. There will always be people who judge others based on image and titles, but there are also people who want to build genuine, mutually beneficial relationships. You’re going to have to sift through the people you don't want to know to get to the people you do want to know.
•    You might think you're too shy or self-conscious to schmooze. Networking does require a degree of boldness, but with the advent of social networking sites, you can get to find others with similar interests and goals without being in a room full of people. Do not be afraid of meeting new people, some will like you, some will judge you, that’s life, not every relationship you start need to work.  The problem is that, “most people erroneously regard any failure as an accurate evaluation of their worth”- Theodore Bryant. A famous saying goes, "the worst thing we have to fear is fear itself."
•      Networking takes time and effort. Unless you're an extroverted person who thoroughly enjoys schmoozing, it can be exhausting. Why bother? Well, one way to think of it is to imagine how much time and frustration you would save if anything you wanted or needed was just one or two phone calls away.

There are many keys to better networking. I will mention a few of those I have learnt and I am sure we are all endowed with some level of creativity and come up with our own unique ways of networking.

  
  Be easy with small talk, invite people out for drinks or whatever interest you may have in common with the other person. The idea is to establish a connection beyond your initial meeting.

•  Learn to keep your already existing networks for example college mates, some of them may be your boss some day or come in handy when you are in need.
•   Diversify, associate with people from various fields, economics, law, medicine, banking inter alia
•   Remember to bring value in others, life is just not about you, networking is a two way street.  Create win-win situations. People will want to be part of your life because you add value to their lives, you can maintain your existing relationships if you can consistently bring value to those in your network.
•  Understand how to network with busy people. I have singled out this category because I think it is a special category.  A busy person simply cannot or will not give you serious slice of their attention without a good reason. Don’t presume you’re entitled to a response just because you took some action and reached out to the busy person. These people receive dozens of incoming communications per day so they aren’t trying to be rude, they are simply being effective.  As such if you resent such people for being busy and not responding to your communiqués promptly, you’re not going to become a very good networker, but instead respect them for setting priorities since they must triage in order to be effective and have a life. There is a whole article on “how to network with busy people” on www.stevepavlina.com.   I recommend anyone interested in learning how to network with busy people to read this article.
•  Know what you are looking for, not everyone is the ideal person to have in your network. Caution: don’t only think of the things that would benefit you, but think of what you have to offer to others. Be careful who you spend your time with, someone once told me, “there is no neutral person in your life, each one of them has a certain influence, negative or positive”  I usually say there are two dogs inside you, a black one, and a white one, whichever you feed is the one that grows. Again, be careful who you spend your time with.
•   Find out who knows whom, you may be surprised that the people around you know more than you think. I have found myself many times going, “what? You know that person? I have always wanted to meet them.”
•   Use your network to introduce people with similar interests; you may be surprised how in giving you get good measure.
•   Be proactive; don’t always wait for people to come to you, find ways to start conversations.
•   Be in the right places, Attend religious meetings, go for career meetings, business club meetings, sports etc.
•   Use the internet, I have reconnected with friends through social media than any other media. Social networking has evolved over the years to become a business networking tool as well. The MD Ipsos Synovate Kenya, Maggie Ireri speaking on the power of social media tweeted, "A brand is no longer what we tell the consumer it is – it is what consumers tell each other it is." Find blogs journals and professional organizations online. I wouldn’t have written this Article if it weren’t for the internet and you probably wouldn’t be reading it either.
•   Learn to follow up.
•   Personal development is crucial. Other people are also looking for networks and the more developed you are personally, the higher chances that other people are going to be interested in you.  Remember, most people will stay away from needy people; they will want to stay around people who also bring value to their lives.

 I cannot overstate the value of networking. I have personally benefited from my networks in very many ways. I have saved time and money and have had an easier time getting some things done. I don’t know everyone and I don’t need to, but whenever there is an opportunity I will establish a new network

I don’t believe that you always need to know people to get things going in your life; we have all met some ‘self made’ people and besides God has the ability to raise you from nothing. I however believe that God intended us to network, that is why he commands us to love one another.