It’s Not What You Know – But Who You Know
I’ve always believed this statement to be somewhat true and after being online for 3.5 years, I know for sure. This was different when I was a kid, my parents used to drill into me to be a good student with top grades which evidently put me to the top of my class during my schooling career (who was I to argue with my parents).
With the same mind set I climbed the ladders of my chosen vocation and managed to work in some top restaurants and hotels in the world. For those who live in Europe, two Michelin stars and 19 Gault Millaut points is what I managed to work with. Not bad, but worth “jack shit” once you change your career.
Naturally, while you are in the applicable environment it feels great but in reality who gives a toss about your accolades.
Nobody!
In business, it’s who you know that really matters. It always has, it always will. Sure, being an expert in your chosen field will get you the admiration and the respect from your peers, but it wont give you the big deals.
With expertise and noting else you are still a slave to the system and the only way to break out is to establish yourself as the leader.
To become a leader however you need to morph your expertise into something else and that is credibility.
Credibility is attained through other leaders in the field making a recommendation about you/ your services and your business.
An expert is a top paid professional, where else a leader is ruling the pack. Sure, some leaders are born and they are privileged enough for this to happen.
Most of us “normal” slaves break out of our environment after we realize there is a better world and work hard to see our dreams come to fruition.
The saying “it’s not what you know, but who you know” is never more so prevalent than in the online world. That is why we need to spend good time networking with others and forge strong business relationships. For all it is worth it might get you the much needed review from a top leader in the field or the recommendation to his business partners to come on board as a partner.
The networking should however always be done subtly without pushing your boundaries and sucking up. It should be a natural evolvement that springs from connecting with the right people at the right time.
You never know where this might lead and maybe one day you can also become a leader.
Monika
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About the Author: I'm a passionate freelance writer and problogger. To further build my business I'm also in the process of building my own niche empire which pays me residual income.
Keith Dsouza | Nov 30, 2007 | Reply
Well I think you are right. In business even though you may know lots of things it eventually drills down to who you know to tell what you know.
The more influence you have the better chances of succeding in business with what you know.
Grizzly | Nov 30, 2007 | Reply
All I can say is…
Glad I know You!
I plan on riding your coattails all the way…
George | Dec 1, 2007 | Reply
Very true. I came to that realization last year and it is starting to pay dividends.
Love your blog, keep up the great work.
Mark Dykeman | Dec 1, 2007 | Reply
I have a guest post coming up at a different site which makes a similar point. But you got here first!
Monika | Dec 2, 2007 | Reply
Keith: yep, that is so true and often this way we get the better jobs too.
Grizzly: you are too late my friend, I’m already riding yours. Or was it the bear paws.
George: hi, great to see you here and thanks for the compliment. I hope you stick around.
Mark: send me the link please, I’d love to read it. It will be great to see another persons view written down.