Networks

Working for a tech startup, I’ve realized how much networking comes into play in determining whether the startup succeeds or fails. To play with the big boys, you really need to have the right connections, whether it be lawyers, business-minded people, or the right technical developers. The site that we’ve been working on is about ready for launch, and all that is needed is a bunch of beta testers. This is where the power of networking comes into play.

I’ve witnessed first hand how having the right people just an email away makes all the difference. While these people may not be your closest friends, they are definitely your most important assets. In fact, there’s this saying, ”it’s not what you know. It’s who you know,” which really goes to show how valuable networking is. In fact, many CEOs go out of their way to meet other like-minded business people to exchange ideas (and business cards). When two of these CEOs meet, not only do they now have access to each other, but also to all of the other’s network as well. There is only two degree of separation between them now.

WIth this vast network, a CEO can stay in the loop with the latest news, technologies, and potentially meet someone new through another person in the existing network. Sure you may not be able to figure this out or be able to do that, but you can always call up someone who does and maybe even hire someone who does. WIth this versatility, anything is possible, especially for a startup where the number of employees are always at a bare minimum.

http://www.quora.com/Entrepreneurship/Startup-CEOs-What-does-hanging-around-drinking-beers-with-other-entrepreneurs-actually-accomplish

http://www.forbes.com/sites/glennllopis/2012/05/29/7-reasons-networking-can-be-a-professional-development-boot-camp/