The Value of My Network

I was a serious networker a few years ago. 


My career drifted into the NHS and as such I felt that such networking on Ecademy, BNI breakfasts, NRG lunches, linkedin and such like were unnecessary as I was networking at a different level. I was still networking but in a different format.


As such I dropped my networks to a large extent, and I dropped those connections I'd made. I didn't keep in touch. 


My career has moved out of the NHS now and I work with The British Institute of Learning and Development, (The BILD) and I now need to network again as I did previously. 


So what are the value of my old connections? Actually I was quite surprised, I'm pleased to say, that it is still good value. 


For example, I'm looking for sponsors for the BILD's annual conference, I sent a message via Linkedin to my (remade) contacts asking to connect with professionals in the Learning and Development arena and with company's that want exposure by sponsoring our annual conference. My network is not large, but clearly it is high value as two people came back and helped me. 


Firstly Brett Sadler told me he had many L&D professionals in his network all I have to do is let him know who I want to be connected to and Secondly Rob Hook sent a message to his contacts and as such one of his contacts got in touch with me.


For a couple of years I ignored my connections luckily for me they didn't ignore me. 


So Back to networking for me....I've got to see what I can do for them.


So if you once knew me and are reading this - Contact me again. I'm sorry we lost touch, it won't happen again. 


Rich Wootten