Tony Collins: Make strong connections key

Tony Collins.

Last year there was a really good article in the Northern Advocate by one of their columnists on the subject euphemistically described as "head-hunting" which considered the influence of "the old boys' networks" particularly as they related to employment opportunities.

It got me thinking about the essential role that relationships play in our day-to-day business lives.

Humans are social creatures and in so many ways from the cradle to grave rely on the efforts of other humans to survive, for happiness and for success. This is one of the reasons why, despite an abundance of space, we choose to congregate and live in close proximity to each other.

An individual inhabits many different geographic, cultural and "interest-group" communities and the relationship that they form with other individuals within these various communities contributes to their networks.

I do not believe that people - or at least not most people - form these relationships with a mercenary approach of what is in it for them, but it cannot be denied that over time most of us benefit in some manner from the relationships we form with others.

Within the business environment, these networks should not be seen as a manipulative or insincere way to use people but rather recognition that commerce always has and always will rely on the nature of relationships we form with others. Having strong connections with people within the environment in which you operate can help keep you motivated, provide a sounding board and overcome the isolation that is often associated with many small businesses or owner operators.

These same relationships provide assistance, advice and more importantly opportunity. This opportunity comes in many forms. It may be by way of introductions, promotion of your business or just the sense of belonging to a community of like-minded individuals.

None of these things need or should amount to "closed shops" or exclusive communities but rather recognition that no one can operate or live in isolation and yet, while our communities are diverse, most individuals prefer the known over the unknown.

Yet if we are to increase our opportunities then we should consider expanding our networks so that they become more diverse and inclusive.

"No man is an island,
Entire of itself,
Every man is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main."

MEDITATION XVII

Devotions upon Emergent Occasions

John Donne 1624