IT’S NOT WHAT YOU KNOW--IT’S WHO YOU KNOW

By Kimberly Robinson Williams

We’ve all heard the saying, “It’s not what you know; it’s who you know.” Well, personal and professional politics across the City of Springfield makes that saying truer here than in any other city in which I’ve ever lived. And, I have been around. You may think you’re all that and a bag of chips, but if there is not someone in the somewhere you would like to be who can vouch for you, you are going to have a hard time getting there!

So, if you have set 2005 as the year that you “make some moves,” you ought to be making a list and checking it twice… It is time to dust off your networking skills and start to build and leverage a call list that includes people who can be helpful in getting you where you want to go. Don’t know where to start? Following are a few suggestions that will help get you organized to build an army of supporters.

1. Develop a realistic vision of where you want to be. Do you deserve an increase in salary this year? Are you seeking a new job? Make a plan, including a strategy and timeline to help get you there. Boil that plan down into a sound bite that you can communicate to others easily.

2. Make a list of people who may be a stepping-stone to realizing your vision. Include on your list relatives, friends, even relatives of friends who work at the company you’re interested in. If you’re seeking a salary increase, consider others in the company or external clients who can vouch for your performance. Your stepping-stone may be one or two people removed, so don’t be shy about asking for introductions or introduce yourself to people you think might be helpful. You would really be surprised about how willing people are to lend a hand to someone in need. This is a situation where size does truly count. The more people you have on your list the better. Remember, not everyone will be willing and able to help.

3. Make a personal appeal to your prospective stepping stones. Take the time to explain to them your vision and how you would like them to help. Obviously people who know you well are going to be more willing to put themselves out for you. If you don’t know someone well, you might consider initially only asking for advice. Spend some time building a relationship before asking them to act as a reference.

4. Follow-up. Once you’ve asked someone for help or advice, be sure to take action. Even if you decide not to follow their advice, be sure to let them know that you have done something! And, be proactive. Think how awkward it would be to bump into your stepping stone in the grocery store if you haven’t spoken with him or her since you originally asked for help. As my mother would say, that’s just trifling!

5. Say thank you. Thank your stepping stone for their time if nothing else. Even if they weren’t helpful in getting you from point A to point B, let them know that their efforts were appreciated. You never know when you might need to call on them again.

There’s a traditional African-American saying that goes, “Jump at the sun, you may not land on the sun, but at least you’ll be off the ground.” In that vane, I will not wish you good luck, as luck is a chance happening of fortunate events. Instead I will say, “Jump high!” n