Networking with intent?

How do we use networks for effect?
This question has come up with four different calls and conversations this week.

Makes me wonder if this is a trend or if I am just seeing what I want.

Afterwards, I had more questions.
Why are you networking?
Why is networking your solution, vs ads, etc.?
Has networking shown value? Can this be scaled?
Can you measure the effort to return?

Or even better: "Can you network with intention?" Is this actually a possibility?

This topic hits home for me because I have tried it out.

I started growing my network last summer, knowing that I would launch Fractional Tools. I started connecting with specific types of fractional profiles on LI. Simple LI open requests. No ask, just a connection request. I figured that if I was already connected to my future ICP (Ideal Customer Profile), I would be able to use the network to get first revenue signals, beta testers, etc.

This investment has paid off in a few ways. I have the network in place so I can ask for feedback without going from strange to friend in a single Zoom call. This month, I did 30 calls to test and learn.

Back to the bigger question. I keep seeing people in online communities and Slack, asking about job search issues.

I have noticed that anyone who has been in a job for long enough tends to have an underdeveloped sense of network signals. We appear to turn off our networking activities when we are comfortable in a position. Seems logical.

Personally, I can see the network gaps when I look back at my LI connection patterns. When I was full-time, I noticed a drop in activity during that period.

We (collective we) also seem to let our current employer act as a network proxy.
Makes sense, getting a network without having to do the actual work.

I have gotten demos from a number of tools designed for this. Via, Affinity, LeadDelta. Tried them all. Really like LeadDelta. Might work for some, but these products feel built around either assumed (e.g., existing) skills or a playbook.

It might be that networking is a skill and cannot be handed off in an app.

I am fairly sure it’s possible to grow a network (over time) with intent, but can networking be taught?

I am thinking about how to test this. I use LeadDelta. It’s my un-CRM. It plugs into my LI Network and provides just enough CRM features to be valuable. They offer a service that allows different LeadDelta members to create a shared Room.

A room that overlaps their network.

Offer: I want to try this out. A small group, 4-6 people, with shared and explicit goals. We all set up Lead Delta accounts and then create a shared room. Work together. Shared goal, with networks that are visible but protected.

Anyone interested?

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