Chapter 1
The Power of Building a Profitable Network
How would your life be different if you were more connected? What would change? Would you make partner? Have more customers? Secure venture funding? Get a better job? If you're reading this book, there must be something that you're looking for over and above what you have today.
When I started my networking journey, I didn't know what I wanted to accomplish. I just knew I wanted a better life. I longed for purpose and was tired of barely making ends meet while living in the perpetual home-to-work rut. Instinctively I knew that if I wanted more, I had to get connected. At the time I didn't know what that required, but I was determined to learn the ropes. Really, I asked myself, how hard could it be to get connected? Apparently quite difficult if you don't know what you're doing.
Thankfully perseverance, hard work, and guidance from the right mentors meant I was able to go from basically unconnected to connected in a short time, creating a successful career in media, politics, business, and the charitable sector. None of it would have been possible without the influence of my newly formed network. There's no doubt that I had some talent and ability that helped me at each step in my career—just as I assume you do too. But having talent and ability doesn't matter if the right people don't know about them.
In order for people to choose you over your competition, you need to be on their radar. That's why networking is so powerful. ...
