Written by joel betts
As far back as the meetings at the ‘Agora´ in Ancient Greece and the Forum in Ancient Rome, big thinkers have found solace and inspiration by gathering in places where they can discuss opportunities, arrange deals, exchange ideas and share knowledge.
Far from being an idea lost in the pages of time, the practice of networking, specifically professional networking, has gained significant momentum in recent years.
Most networking however was previously limited by geography. Accordingly, the commonality of ideas, which is inherent in many networks, played a secondary role to the ability to physically unite people to form the network.
As the world increasingly embraces an online environment, combined with the recent emergence of online networking platforms such as Myspace, Facebook and Peoplebrowser, (which collectively fall under the broader Web 2.0 banner), now more than ever networks are free to form around common ideas, philosophies, lifestyles and beliefs. The hindrance previously caused by geographical constraints is a thing of the past.
Big thinkers are drawn towards opportunity, so it´s no surprise to Stan Relihan that professional online networking platforms such as Linked In have experienced extraordinary growth over the last few years.
As many are aware, Linked In is the word´s largest online network for professionals, and as the Chief Executive Officer of the online based recruitment firm, Expert Executive Search, Relihan is Australia´s most connected Linked In member. Relihan has amassed an impressive list of 16,000 connections since joining during April 2005.
"One of the most valuable aspects of Linked In," says Relihan, "is that it offers us the opportunity to create our online brand and have an online presence within a professional community. It´s an old adage that if you don´t exist on Google, you don´t exist at all. That philosophy," adds Relihan, "now extends to Linked In."
Furthermore, far removed from the push strategy which involves methods ranging from traditional media advertising and cold calling to distributing pamphlets on a street corner, such an online presence offers us unique and effective opportunities to market ourselves with a pull approach, connecting us with our market at the point that they´re looking for the very thing that we provide.
"The benefit," says Relihan, "is that they don´t feel it´s intrusive, and this means that it opens more doors than a cold call ever could. Simultaneously it can lead to incredible experiences of synchronicity."
Most of us in business will attest to having experienced synchronous and serendipitous events throughout our career. The phenomenon of being in the right place at the right time is a key to successful networking.
"Everything is interconnected. Seeing as the value of a network increases exponentially with the number of connections in that network, the potential for such serendipity and synchronicity has magnified as our network develops in size," says Relihan.
Relihan has enjoyed many such experiences in his role as a leading head hunter, and cites the occasion when he learnt that a large company needed help filling a senior role. "They specified their desire for someone who had experience at either IBM or Accenture. I found someone in my network that had been at Accenture for seven years. He filled the position."
So how specifically can we take tangible steps to experience some of the results enjoyed by the ‘Stan Relihans´ of the online world, and position ourselves to have similar experiences?
Relihan emphasises that "rather than waiting until you need the business, it´s important to create an online presence now". He says that if you wait until you´ve run out of work to become active on an online network, you become engaged in what Relihan refers to as ‘need-working´ instead of networking, and according to him, it´s obvious to the other person.
"I am a firm believer in sharpening the saw before you need to cut the tree. I know that every day you´re not on Linked In, you´re missing out on opportunities, because people are out there looking for you, and you need to let them know that you are available. To do that you need to have a presence."
Following this is the second step; building a strong online presence. The person with a good online profile, which clearly communicates their philosophies, beliefs, experience and offering, is more likely to get a response than the person with a generic profile or, worse still, no profile at all. However while his Linked In profile plays an integral role in creating online brand awareness for people like Relihan, he emphasises that it shouldn´t stop there. Relihan also hosts one of the Podcast Network´s highest rating programs, ‘The Connections Show,´ and is active on a number of other online communities, including spock.com.
Thirdly, Relihan suggests building strong relationships based on reciprocity. Not surprisingly, the question which underpins Relihan´s approach to networking is "How can I deliver value to the other person?" After spending half an hour with him over coffee, one becomes humbled (and somewhat overwhelmed) by the sheer veracity and magnitude of his knowledge, and, importantly, his willingness to share it.
"Altruism," explains Relihan "is enlightened self interest." Hearing this, it becomes clear why Relihan has been integral to adding value to so many people in his network.
"Finally," Relihan points out "some people forget about it if the horizon for delivering a pay-off is more than a couple of weeks. It´s important therefore, to view networking in the context of a long term approach." Indeed this is a philosophy common among many big thinkers.
It seems professional online networks such as Linked In have levelled the playing field, and if Relihan´s experience is anything to go by, for the big thinkers who converge on such playgrounds of limitless opportunity and endless possibility, the future looks brighter than ever.
