The Value of Networking

You probably have heard about networking, getting to know people. However, do you know exactly what is the value of it and its purpose?

I am definitely not a networking expert and I am rather shy in meeting strangers (I usually will only network with people whom I share some common grounds) so not the right person to give much advice on networking. Nevertheless, I will share what I have learned about networking through my studies and work experience and explain why I bother about participating in my University Alumni Group especially the University of London International Programmes.


THE VALUE OF NETWORKING

According to Prof. Lynda Gratton, she mentioned in her book "The Shift: The Future of Work is Already Here" that in preparation for the future of work, one has to build three types of capitals. They are Intellectual (both knowledge & skills), Emotional and Social (networks). It is very common for many countries to start moving away from manual work and focus on the knowledge-based economy which makes intellectual capital very important. As the world becomes more interconnected, we are exposed to people of various cultures which makes emotional capital (i.e. EQ & Cultural sensitivity) very important as well. And as individuals we are limited and we are not able to capture all information and knowledge available. This is where networks come into the picture.

Social Network is a form of resource (information, ideas, advice & etc.). It provides knowledge as you can gather information from the right people you know. It also creates business opportunities as you communicate with one another and then realise there is opportunity to work together and even create synergy! It also provides employment opportunities and many other advantages.

These examples suggest that Social Network is indeed a form of Capital as it provides returns (e.g. career opportunities, reputation of being well-connected or people knowing you favourably or even happiness).

Being well connected also increase your chance of being successful as your network becomes your aid in whatever you need to do. Do not forget, in whatever things you do, you need resources!

In big companies, it can be so big that you may not even know who is in charge of what. But the moment you know people from various departments, all you have to do is ask your friends to help link up with the right people! It does speed things up really fast.


NOT WHO YOU KNOW BUT WHO KNOWS YOU

There is a saying that it is not who you know but who knows you. In a sense, that is partially correct because if that person does not know you, he/she will not bother about you. But you also need to know that person in the sense who he/she is and how he/she can help you.

While you seek help, think of a mutual beneficial relationship. If you always expect help and does not contribute back to the person, the relationship will not last. No one would want to be manipulated. If you keep on manipulating others for your benefits, your reputation will be damaged and the network may know about you sooner or later.


CONNECTING TO WHO?

If you can, connect to the leader of a network. This can grant you access to all others. However, it is best to continue networking with those under the leader else if he/she is no longer in that network, you can lose everyone in that network overnight!

And if you are a leader, it is also best that you network with your team to be the central figure. This will make things much easier to manage and get things done well. This also means you need to know your members well and that they can trust you. This will grant you the ability to influence. It is not difficult to see that teams with leaders as the central figure in the network tend to perform better (Balkundi & Harrison, 2006; Hutchins & Fiedler, 1960).


EXAMPLES ON THE VALUE OF NETWORKING

Just more real-life examples to convince you on the value of networking.

Back then when I was still studying with the University of London International Programmes (UoLIP), I was very helpful in the Virtual Learning Environment (still is but not as active due to work). People there got to know me (including an administrator). Some went to LSE Study Weekend and spoke about me. Someone high up in the LSE Office for UoLIP then got to hear about my name and met me in person while in Singapore Institute of Management. This person taught me a subject during UoL revision workshop and eventually we established a relationship and willingly became my academic referee for my LSE Masters application! My other academic referee was also someone high up in Singapore Institute of Management who also taught me before and during the class, I participated actively, created a good image and awareness of my existence.

After graduation, I worked hard in my workplace and I got to know very helpful colleagues. This network became my source of information for my Masters dissertation research. I used a snowball convenience sampling method and their network became part of my survey participants as well!

While at LSE as well as in University of London International Programmes, I met people from various countries. They became my source of information for travel in their country! (I also become their host when they travel to Singapore). They also went into various industries and jobs. For my career planning, I do seek advice from them. I also help to link my friends up with others which further build stronger friendships.


JOINING UNIVERSITY ALUMNI GROUP

I hope you can now see how valuable is networking.

I did try to convince some of my friends to join the alumni but some replied saying that it is for the ambitious or the elites. All these are misconceptions! You do not have to ambitious to network. You can network to make more friends who you can be a help of or can seek help from. Everyone does network just how big and how active. It is not for the elites.

As graduates of a distance learning degree, we already do face some discrimination from some employers. This is a fact and should we still short change of ourselves of opportunities? If you want to compete, increase your resources to aid your journey. This world out there is not just about grades. The working world is not a school.

It is a waste not to join the alumni or its activities. There are successful graduates out there that went to prestigious universities for masters, got into good jobs and some even in senior positions. The alumni is a channel where we can build recognition for ourselves and help one another. Why waste these resources? For such reason, I try to be active in the alumni and volunteered as one of the alumni ambassadors. Do not expect to build relationship just by going to activities once or twice then add that person in Facebook and assume a relationship has been built. Just because you are both 'friends' in Facebook do not really mean you have that sort of relationship! You got to invest in a relationship. That is all for my sharing.

Be active with the alumni regardless of your University. It is a good source of resources. Be connected!