Business has come a long way from the days of stable and almost monopolistic markets, static technology, hierarchy as a way of life, speed as a matter of choice, and the customer at the receiving end. As the 20th Century was about to call it a day, there came the big wave of LPG Liberalization, Privatization and Globalization. Yes, technology also picked up momentum along with business. Customers started changing by demanding value for their money (rightly so). As we made a foray into the new millennium, the business scene underwent a sea change. Now, technology is changing as fast as you bat your eyelid or may be even faster, and knowledge has virtually become the power to rule the roost. The new knowledge professional or the new age manager is technically proficient, very ambitious, highly innovative, bright and sharp on the uptake, business oriented and networking conscious. Yes, the great art and science of networking has come to stay as an essential part of today's managerial career or life. People are on the lookout for companies that foster creativity, provide challenging work environments with state-of-the-art technology. Similarly, in most of the cases, companies are matching up to the expectations by providing a working atmosphere where talent can flourish, inner potential can be drawn out and where work is `fun', not withstanding the adequate reward and recognition systems in place. Structurally also more leaner and flatter organizations have replaced the vertical, hierarchical and bureaucratic outfits. Open work environment with a work station, and project centered working teams and of course the informality (addressing the boss by his or her first name) have become the orders of the day. Now where does that leave us as far as `networking' is concerned? Centerstage we could say, that is if we rightly understand the importance of `referrals' in CVs. But that is just one of the many aspects of networking, as today, not only what you know matters but it's who you know that counts much more.
That brings us to the basic question of what is networking? Networking, in simple terms, is the art of meeting and knowing people, striking a rapport and finally establishing a long lasting relationship with them. Mutual help is a natural ingredient of networking but certainly not its main aim, unlike network marketing whose sole objective is to sell goods through informal network groups. One can network with people for the sheer pleasure of it. The wealth that one makes depends on the knowledge one acquires, but everything else depends on the contacts one maintains. It is believed that public speaking is the biggest fear that people have; it is next only to death. Strangely, networking does not lag far behind. Whoever has heard of a person having made it to the pinnacle of success entirely on his own? By nature or instinct our skills are limited to one area and we look up to others for specialized help. Networking as a concept is based on shared learning through mutual support, exchange and advice.
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