The World is Shrinking

I was reading a blog that one of my good friends is involved in. The post was essentially talking about keys to starting a successful business. Networking (the kind where you know a lot of people and have a big address book, not the kind with wires and the internet) was one of the key elements this writer focused on. This got me thinking about how lately it seems you hear more and more about the importance of networking, not only in business, but in life in general. It is important to know people, and better yet, to know people who can help you and who you can work with.

The world is shrinking. I think this is a perfect example of that. It used to be if you were working on a project, say, in Nebraska, knowing someone in New York who could help you complete the project typically wouldn't do much good because of the communication limitations between the two places. These days however, with the technology we have, many projects can be conducted between cities around the world in no time at all. For example, a movie studio in LA may need a shot in downtown Paris. They contact a studio in Paris, that studio shoots the shot and via the internet they can have the footage back in LA within hours. Amazing. It pays to know people.

I say all this, well not really to make any point. I was just thinking about it. But, I will say this, I don't want to encourage you to make relationships only for the sake of business or only for what you can get out of them. However, don't let opportunities slip you by. Every relationship you have can work for your benefit in the future. The guy you met at Starbucks yesterday may be the key to finishing your next project, or to a promotion, or to your next job!