Some People Don't Need Networking - Are You One of Them

I used to believe that everyone needed networking. But I didn't want to argue with them, so I would put on my "thoughtful" face and say something very noncommittal. Sometimes they'd give me a reason why they didn't need it and sometimes they would let the statement just hang our there between us.

I have changed my mind and now believe that there are some people who don't need networking at all. Are you one of them? If you can answer "yes" to all of these questions, then you are a person who does not need networking.

· If you work for someone else, are you guaranteed to never lose your job for any reason?
· If you own your own business, do you have more clients than you know what to do with, who always pay on time, even though you charge far more than the competition?
· Can you walk into any business and meet with the decision maker whenever you want?
· Are you so incredibly famous that you never need to introduce yourself to anyone?
· Are you certain you've always picked out the best possible service provider the first time, every time, straight from the phone book?
· Do you know everything there is to know about the right products, services, or opportunities for you and your family?

Of course, no one can answer "yes" to all these questions. The only people who don't need to network are these who are 100% self-sufficient; who don't buy, sell, or trade any service or goods made by people; who don't need any information or resources that they cannot provide for themselves and who have no need to interact with society. In other words, a hermit. Still, some people convince themselves that they are job-loss proof, that their business is the best it could be, and that they alone have all the answers.

Can we try to find someone in today's world who doesn't need networking? You could argue that the tribes people of the Kalahari Desert don't need to network because they are self-sufficient. But look at the word we use to describe them: "Tribes-people." The very concept of a tribe is a group of people with a common heritage working together for a group purpose. So-called "primitive" people actually have highly developed networking skills because their very lives depend on it. Everyone who lives within a society is dependent on other people to provide some aspect of their survival. We interact on a daily basis with people who provide us with information, knowledge, and the resources we need to live.

Networking is a survival skill in society and in business. In society, we need to interact with other people whether it's family, co-workers, or clients. In fact, the ability to network is one of the main business skills that will determine whether or not someone grows or shuts down a business, stays in their job in hard economies, and if ultimately any aspect of their business is successful.

Beth Bridges is the Membership Director of the Clovis Chamber of Commerce in California. She has helped thousands of people get connected through hundreds of networking events with the Chamber and other organizations. Learn more about the Clovis Chamber at http://www.clovischamber.comand read Beth's blog at http://bethbridges.blogspot.com which takes a look at networking from the perspective of someone who's met thousands of networkers - good and bad.