Creating Social Networks for Career Success

Social networks on a personal and business level are important for developing society and developing oneself. Social networks offer employment opportunities that would not otherwise been available. It also offers an opportunity to create a support network of like-minded individuals that share similar interests and traits. For those not familiar with social networking a little advice can go a long way.

Social networks as much a part of business and society as eating and breathing. The difference is that we are often not aware of the different types of social networks that include family, business, friends, etc... We live connected with each other without even having to try. The ideas of networking as an activity means to think strategically about your networks.

If you are a business professional you are more likely to be interested in professional connections. Those connections are likely to be different than your parenting, sports, recreational, charity and hobby connections. It will require you to consider finding places to meet such people and engage them on a professional level.

Finding places to meet other people is one part of the issue while having something to say to them is another. Common places to meet people are through conferences, industry associations, friends of friends, workshops, speeches, open houses, online forums, blogs, etc... Search around, talk to colleagues, and attend those events.

The quality of the event is going to make a difference in how successful it will be. Conferences and conventions are filled with lots of people but are not always the best place to meet other people. Such events attract a large amount of people looking for the same thing. Smaller and more intimate groups and meetings are better than larger groups when first starting out.

Once you find the meetings and get the courage to attend you must also have something to say. Practice a quick elevator speech that will get you over the introduction. If you have a few sentences to say without effort eventually your fear will subside and you will be able to have an instant introduction anytime you need it. Above all else be casual and avoid appearing pushy.

Net working helps you find the right people that can give you a step up in your career. It is important to understand that most jobs and opportunities are found through social networks. This becomes even more important as you move up the ranks and jobs are closely held. Character and connection become defining issues in successful job placement. Get out there, meet people with similar interests, and see what happens. 

Developing Networks for Economic Growth

Companies exist within a wider context of information, finances, resources, and sociological networks that impact their long-term health. Successful companies can formalize and embrace this interconnected nature to develop enhanced levels of performance. They are semi-open systems that can take in information, transform it into something new, and contribute to their environment while ensuring they are retaining healthy profit margins. 

Hubs are made of clusters of competencies  that make up the back bone of local human capital. They form when businesses with similarities work in tandem and share common characteristics. We can see how clusters are formed around competencies in science, entrepreneurship, art, manufacturing, or just about any other industry. 

Clusters have socialites who foster and push network creation. Socialites pass out cards, attend meetings, make phone calls, and connect resources and finances to create new things. They are the entrepreneurs and pro-social developers that use their networks to solve problems. Such individuals are capable of changing markets by putting the right people in touch with each other. 

Companies have something called bounded rationality. This is where people band together to form an entity that produces new products/services. They share similarities in knowledge, culture, and competencies bounded into a single business for financial gain. All companies have a level of bounded rationality where members think and act alike. 

Hubs exist within a regional, national, and global marketplace. They are places where resources are converted into innovative products. A hub is defined by the types of clusters/competencies it has within in ranks. Clusters work together to create a type of synergy that is unique to that particular hub and all the elements that come define it. 

The ease by which people act and interact with each other determines the success of hubs. This interaction can be defined by financial, knowledge, and social based goal directed behavior. Development of hubs requires a level of improvement in the ease and speed of transference. This is one reason why new technology can be a game changer. Strong hubs continually develop new knowledge, financial efficiencies, and production outputs.