Managing the Network

Think of your network as being like a garden. It won't do you any good if you don't harvest it. Likewise, there will be nothing to harvest if you don't tend to it.

This more than anything is what most often distinguishes successful networkers.

Don't neglect any of the following four tasks:

1. Offer to help others. This doesn't mean you have to sell your soul to those around you. It is certainly advisable to be willing and able to reciprocate. Reciprocation will grow your network exponentially over time. Wait. What's that? You're unemployed right now and you have to accept the fact you didn't start building a network long ago so you have nothing to offer? Nonsense. Perhaps someone is passionate about a particular volunteer group. This can be a great way to reciprocate – and simultaneously grow your network through your interaction with new acquaintances. If someone needs a hand, perhaps you can offer to look over a proposal or do a bit of research. This is also a great way to showcase your skills.

2. Prioritize your contacts. Ask yourself the following questions. Who can best help you? (These are probably the ones who reciprocate favors to you, right?) Who do you have the closest ties to?

3. Design and implement your schedule. Once you've completed the prioritization, draw up a schedule of how often you are going to contact each member. Some may be twice a month and others may be once a year. Just draw up a plan and stick to it. Otherwise, you'll lose touch of members as quickly as you add new ones.

4. Do things that help you stand out. Remembering birthdays is one good way. Thanksgiving cards are another. (Too many people receive Christmas cards to make this a way to stand out.)

It doesn't take that much time

Quite fortunately, email has made many of these tasks very efficient and economical. Just remember to customize each greeting (especially the salutation). With just a bit of basic set up knowledge, you can "program" Microsoft Outlook to remind you of birthdays and other key dates and quickly send out emails.

You might just find you enjoy it!

Remember how much you enjoyed belonging to that club in high school or college? You know, the one you joined because you felt like you "had to." Well, do this because you have to do it to ensure career success, but keep an open mind and realize you might just come to enjoy it.