Analyze Your Network

You need to think about who you know. Even if you think that you don’t know anyone ‘important’, it doesn’t matter because a good networker will be able to forge links with new people, building increasingly useful relationships as you go.

In theory, everyone in the world is only six degrees of separation away.

Start by writing down a list of everybody you know. Think about the many groups that you know:

• current and past colleagues;
• customers or clients;
• suppliers and people you’ve met at conferences.

But don’t just stop at your work contacts. Don’t forget:

• people on committees, clubs and societies you’re a member of;
• college or university acquaintances.

Now prioritize your list according to your career goals:

• What are your objectives for networking? Are you looking for a new job? Perhaps you’re looking for a change project to get involved in? Or simply advice and information?
• And who on your list can best help you achieve your aims?