Fit Into the Organization 14: Build Your Internal Network

This continues our series on how fitting in helps you get the biggest raises and better jobs

Brent understood the power of building a network. He naturally reached out to people. His friendly demeanor and outgoing personality made positive impressions on co-workers, colleagues, and suppliers. His network of contacts allowed him to accomplish more at work because he always knew someone who could help him perform more effectively. He also received an unexpected benefit. One of his contacts told him about a part in a local theater production. One performance created additional casting and eventually parts in independent films.

Connecting People Together

Electronic networks connect different devices together: computers, printers, scanners, tablets, and more. Human networks connect people from different divisions, departments, and disciplines. An internal network consists of people you connect inside the company. You may connect to people whose expertise can help you get your work done quicker, can help them get their work done better, and improve everyone’s career.

Examples of people you should add to your network include people working in:

• Accounting
• Marketing
• Sales
• Secretaries
• Receptionists
• Call centers
• Transportation pool
• Facilities and housekeeping
• Manufacturing
• Shipping and receiving
• Information technology
• Human resources
• Purchasing

Learn, Serve, Grow

I’ve mentioned Jared and Sarah Stewart’s concepts outlined in City of Influence. One of their keys for building relationships is learn, serve, grow. They will guide you to developing your network of friends and contacts.

• Learn about them, their needs, their goals, and problems
• Serve them to help them achieve their needs, goals, and problems so they
• Grow their productivity, performance, and careers

Ensure Two-Way Benefits

Make sure that you keep the relationship mutually beneficial for your network. Too many people make the mistake of taking advantage of their network by focusing the benefits of the relationship on their own needs.

You will gain more benefits from the relationship if you focus on providing benefits to your network, more than the benefits you receive from the relationships. Seek formal and informal ways to do something nice for your network.

Friday we suggest good sources of information to study about business culture

This blog will improve as you submit comments, questions, and experiences. We will answer your questions in future blog posts. Please submit your comments and questions so we can answer them.