Connections = More Connections: Check out why this strategy is essential for your career!

Tuesday: Return Driven Strategy FROM THE DESK OF MILES EVERSON: Are you familiar with Return Driven Strategy (RDS)? According to Professor Joel Litman and Dr. Mark L. Frigo in the book, “Driven,” this pyramid-shaped framework consists of 11 tenets and 3 foundations. When applied properly in your own business strategy, these principles will help you achieve true wealth and value creation. Today, we’ll discuss one of the tenets of RDS in the context of an individual’s career. Ready to learn more about today’s career-driven tips and insights? Keep reading to know the importance and benefits of this network-building strategy. CEO, MBO Partners Chairman of the Advisory Board, The I Institute

Connections = More Connections: Check out why this strategy is essential for your career! “No man is an island.” The importance of this saying shows why as humans, we need to make a collective effort to achieve success. In fact, many professionals succeed in their careers with the help of positive relationships they’ve established with others. However, networking isn’t always easy and at the top of everyone’s to-do list. Depending on your personality, this activity can either be refreshing, engaging, fun, and exciting, or time-consuming, awkward, and draining. The Power of Networking There’s no denying the impacts of a strong professional network. When done well, networking will not only help you land a job faster but also give you a competitive edge throughout every stage of your career. Besides, forming connections with other industry professionals isn’t merely about the exchange of information. It’s also about establishing and nurturing long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with the people you meet. You don’t have to join every professional association and attend all the social gatherings that come your way to be an effective networker. Even if you simply take your eyes off your smartphone when you’re out in public, you’ll see that lots of networking opportunities surround you every day. All you have to do is grab those opportunities and ta-da! You’re one step closer towards experiencing the benefits that come with connecting with others, such as: Exchanging useful tips and ideas in the workplace Opening doors for potential partnerships with others Improving your creative intellect and social skills … and more. What can you do to become an effective networker? Find out what networking style works best for you. There is no “one size fits all” in networking. Different people have different strategies to success. The key is to discover what method best suits you. For example: If you’re an introvert, you may prefer networking on a one-on-one basis or attend more intimate events with fewer attendees. … or if you’re an extrovert, you may prefer going to business conferences or exhibits where you can connect with lots of experts and other industry leaders. Once you’ve identified your ideal networking style, the next thing you should consider is where you should go to meet the right people who’ll help you achieve your career-driven goals. Network “outside the box.” Nowadays, you don’t always have to attend traditional parties or large social gatherings to form bonds with others. There are limitless ways to grow your network! Deena Baikowitz, Chief Networking Officer and Co-Founder of Fireball Network, recommends choosing events and organizations that matter to you. “Start where you’re motivated to meet new people with common professional or personal interests. Think about what you’re passionate about and the types of people with whom you’re most comfortable. This could be networking with your alma mater’s local chapter, a community organization, or a swim team.” Volunteering is also an excellent way to boost your network. This doesn’t only let you show your value and learn about different career paths and opportunities, but also enables you to give back and do good to your community. Pay “it” forward. Look for opportunities to provide value to those in your network before you ask for help. The more you invest in your relationships, the more you’ll learn about your connections and receive assistance from them. The value you provide for each other doesn’t have to be limited to the workplace; it could also be anything from a hotel recommendation or an introduction to someone in your personal network. Generally speaking, the question of who you network with and their relevance to your career matter. You have to understand how you can contribute to others’ successes, and how you stand to benefit from their knowledge and skills. Networking and Career Driven Strategy (CDS) In the book, “Driven,” authors Professor Joel Litman and Dr. Mark L. Frigo say applying CDS in your career can help you ask the right questions and think strategically about your choices and activities. What’s more? This framework enables you to prioritize and focus your time and energy for the best use! In the context of networking, you might be wondering: “On which tenet/s of CDS does networking belong?” It belongs to Tenets 7 and 9 of CDS—Partner Strategically and Engage Yourself and Others. As mentioned earlier in this article, one of the benefits of networking is it opens doors for potential partnerships with others in your field of expertise. Through these partnerships, you can further expand your reach and connect with more people. Networking also lets you engage yourself and others. It helps develop your self-esteem and social skills, and it lets your connections learn from you too. … and take note: Like the tenet on communication, these two tenets are foundational in achieving the higher tenets of CDS. Through these fundamentals, you can eventually achieve the top tenet, which is ethically maximizing wealth. Keep these important networking insights and tips in mind as you go about your daily hustle and bustle! Remember: It’s never too early or too late to invest in growing your network. So, give it a try! You’ll be amazed at the wonderful impacts this will have on both your career and personal life. It’s time to grow your connections! Hope you found this week’s insights interesting and helpful. Follow us on LinkedIn.     Stay tuned for next Tuesday’s Return Driven Strategy! It’s easy to put the blame on others, especially when things aren’t going as planned. After all, blaming someone or something else protects your ego, and it means you don’t have to be vulnerable. Learn more about how to effectively target and dominate markets in next week’s article!