1) A Network is More than Just Its Members
Making things happen is easier with a team and being a member of a network gives you just that. And because every member knows many other people the team is much bigger than just its members. Say the network has 100 members who each know 100 people outside the network, that’s 10,000 people. Do the sums for the next step and you’ll be surprised.
2) Solving Problems Is Easier
Finding answers to questions, and solving problems, is much easier if you’re the trusted member of a network of people who regularly share information and work together.
3) You Never Stop Learning
People who network are very curious, and invariably, very happy to share what they know. That makes learning new things easy.
4) Referrals Make the World Go Round
Word of Mouth is the single most cost effective way of finding business and a formal network where members share referrals is very powerful. In addition, people who receive referrals enjoy giving them in return. It’s built into our Hunter Gatherer genes.
5) What’s the Story Morning Glory?
You read the paper and listen to the news, but feedback from the front-line members of your network is invaluable in helping you know exactly what’s going in the marketplace.
6) You’re More Influential than You Think
If you’re in an active network of 100 people, and you go on a diet, the chances are it will influence 3 other people to go on a diet. They, in turn, will influence people, who in turn will influence people. This “3 Degrees of Influence Rule” is well researched and applies to things as diverse as weight gain, voting tendencies, happiness, and smoking.
7) Your Thoughts Get Challenged
Active networking gives you constant feedback from other members. This ensures your thoughts are challenged and don’t just fall into a rut. A very useful benefit in this constantly changing world.
8) You can Even Make Friends
People who work together often become friends with their colleagues (even though they don’t choose the people they work with). Networks are usually made of people with similar interests, so it’s no surprise that networking often leads to making friends.
Making things happen is easier with a team and being a member of a network gives you just that. And because every member knows many other people the team is much bigger than just its members. Say the network has 100 members who each know 100 people outside the network, that’s 10,000 people. Do the sums for the next step and you’ll be surprised.
2) Solving Problems Is Easier
Finding answers to questions, and solving problems, is much easier if you’re the trusted member of a network of people who regularly share information and work together.
3) You Never Stop Learning
People who network are very curious, and invariably, very happy to share what they know. That makes learning new things easy.
4) Referrals Make the World Go Round
Word of Mouth is the single most cost effective way of finding business and a formal network where members share referrals is very powerful. In addition, people who receive referrals enjoy giving them in return. It’s built into our Hunter Gatherer genes.
5) What’s the Story Morning Glory?
You read the paper and listen to the news, but feedback from the front-line members of your network is invaluable in helping you know exactly what’s going in the marketplace.
6) You’re More Influential than You Think
If you’re in an active network of 100 people, and you go on a diet, the chances are it will influence 3 other people to go on a diet. They, in turn, will influence people, who in turn will influence people. This “3 Degrees of Influence Rule” is well researched and applies to things as diverse as weight gain, voting tendencies, happiness, and smoking.
7) Your Thoughts Get Challenged
Active networking gives you constant feedback from other members. This ensures your thoughts are challenged and don’t just fall into a rut. A very useful benefit in this constantly changing world.
8) You can Even Make Friends
People who work together often become friends with their colleagues (even though they don’t choose the people they work with). Networks are usually made of people with similar interests, so it’s no surprise that networking often leads to making friends.