As some of you may know, I used to drive quite a bit for work. Not only did I not work in the city I live in, but I didn’t work in the state I lived in either. While I enjoyed my job, it (the commuting) grew tiring, and I knew I was missing out on getting to know people and do things in my community.
A few months ago, I got a new job down the street from where I live. Once I got settled into that, It was time to start building connections – I shouldn’t need to explain to the Yakezie members the value of a community. I have lived here for about 2 years now, but due to being gone 14 hours most days and working one (sometimes both) days on the weekend, I obviously didn’t know that many people.
THE DECISION TO MAKE A BETTER CONNECTION
I decided that it was time to change that, and I decided that it would be good for everyone that I knew to meet everyone else that I knew. So I decided to get everyone together once or twice and see exactly what would happen. I must say, things have gone well. (I’m not going to name anyone by name, but we do have a rather eclectic group of people).
All 7 of us at the table learned that each one of us wants to start their own business sometime in the future. With the diverse skill sets and hobbies that we had at the table, I’m not sure we would need to go outside of the group to get anything major done.
There are a few lawyers in our group – they can help us file incorporation papers and handle the legal side of the business. They are also extremely hard working and focused. Each of the lawyers also have hobbies that can help others in the group if they do decide to launch a business.
There are a few brewers in our group – both of whom make excellent beer and would like to start a brewery someday. Of course, we all volunteered to sample their craft to see what we found most popular and that they should sell well, but we also offered up interesting locations that we knew were vacant in the city, marketing tips, suggestions with names and the like.
There are a few people in the group who have run their own business or help someone else run their business. They obviously will be a valuable resource when something does get off the ground, telling friends what pitfalls to avoid, how to ensure success and be supportive of the effort.
While this group may just be a bunch of 20-something guys getting together for lunch once a month and shooting the breeze, that doesn’t really matter right now – what matters is that in 10-20 years, if we are still all getting together for lunch, who knows where we will all be. One could be a restaurateur, a prominent lawyer, the head of a local development company or something else.
STICKING WITH IT FOR THE LONG TERM
Some of you in the Yakezie probably remember when we were just a hand full of people who had commented on Sam’s post outlining the goals for the network, how to join, and what to do. Back when we had nothing to coordinate but a Google group and a few Google docs pages. Back before we had a slick website, a fancy forum and all of the people who we are fortunate enough to have as Members and Challengers right now. Did any of you think we would grow to be what we’ve become?
The power of the Network can be harnessed for an unlimited amount of things. You never know what will happen, but so long as we keep plugging away and staying in touch, good things will happen. You can bank on it!
Regards,
Jeff
Great post Jeff! While I wasn’t one of the early originators of the Yakezie network, I do very much appreciate what it has done for me.
And, obviously, networking is important. Once my wife and I are settled in our new house, I would like to host a dinner much like yours. It will help me befriend those around me and get a feel for what they live for. It’s an easy, laid-back way to get to know those around you.
Derek –
Getting to know people over food is always great! It gives you a change to talk to them and share meals and try to figure out what they want out of life. The best part is that something they may want may be completely trivial to you *like building a website* but seem insurmountable to them.
It’s great that you’ve become friends with a group that share similar interests and goals. I’m glad that you made it a point to meet new people and succeeded in building a network. And if you need anymore taste testers, let me know. :)
My friends could always use some more tasters for the beer :) It’s not easy to meet people and build a network, but as we ALL at the yakezie can attest, it’s worth the work. All you’ve gotta do is find someone and offer to help them out a bit!
Being apart of Yakezie for 7 short months, it has been a huge networking opportunity and support group. I’ve started to realize the importance of “community” and to reject the idea of “rogue idealism.”
Oh, and brewing is awesome! I made some Christmas ale with a hint of spice last year. Can you say cost effective?
Thanks for this post and showing us new guys some insight into what it was like starting out Yakezie. It’ll be exciting to see where we head in the coming years!
Glad you’re here jon – the yakezie always has someone to help you out with whatever you need! And i’m glad you enjoy beer – it IS cost effective (though some guys totally get way into it and spend quite a bit of cash on system upgrades). Enjoy the network, and remember that a good way to get to know everyone around the network is to join a network small group – find one in the forums.
Jeff, That’s a great way to look at things….I’m at an interesting turning point myself. All of sudden I’m finding that a lot of my old college (and post college) drinking buddies are turning out to be something respectable in our mid-thirities. Guys that shirked responsiblity now have 2 or 3 kids and are now doctors, lawyers, and directors running their own departments. It’s fun to grow with your network and watch it mature. Can’t wait to see where everyone is in another 10 years.
CNC
Thanks for the comment. I’m starting to get to that point as well – a lot of the people that I hung out with and had beers with in college are starting to gain footing in their career and are starting to see some success with what they’ve chosen to do – it’s interesting to remember back when we just sat around int he basement and talked about nothing,.
Great post! It is so inspirational to read, and it is so true about the power of a network!
thanks CI – While I know I fall outside of the norm having gotten my jobs through the traditional “apply and interview” process, i’ve gotten some great leads through my network
I always try to be THAT GUY who can connect other people that want to build a mutually beneficial relationship regardless of whether I am involved…with the understanding that maybe my bottom line might not increase from that introduction, but the future is limitless
I agree MJTM – it’s always helpful to connect people together, because you can build better relationships with both people.
I agree. Very inspirational post. I too believe networking is one of the most powerful tools we have at our disposal. I work really hard to not only keep personal relationships going but also business relationships. For the last 6 years, every job I have had has been a result of networking. Thanks for sharing your positive story.
Thanks Miss T – Some people I think find networking scammy, but if you go into it with the right mindset of just hanging out, being friends and helping out when needed and not expecting anything in return, then no bad can come of it.
True networking, as you described it, is a big advantage. Yakezie is the perfect example. Corporations try to force networking, which never works as well as the organic kind like your dinner.
I find it harder to create real network as I get older. It was so much easier to meet new people and make friends when I was younger. Now everyone is so busy with their own lives. Yakezie is great for online network though!
It is amazing how our friends have grown over the years. I’m certain several of us will make even bigger splashes in the online world 5 years from now!
Agreed sam – being in the network from the early times is astounding to see how much progress everyone has made!
Great points! You have to nurture your network and tend to them, otherwise they’ll forget about you!
Thanks!
Good advice Jeff! Yakezie is proof enough!
This is how it starts , just a group of casual friends. I would suggest you meet once a month or less often, but on a regular basis and ask everyone to meet one new person they want to join the group. Pretty soon, you have a powerful network.
Your post resonates with me too Jeff. Networks are so powerful, not only for the pool of personal resources that each benefits from, but also the social engagement. The single most difficult thing for me about leaving work to be a Dad, was leaving my network. I under estimated the effect it would have on me. The loss of social capital can be depressing. Moms groups will only let you so-far into their circles, for obvious reasons. It has been challenging to find new groups to connect with. My cycling mates are my strongest network today. I ride with lawyers, a pawn broker, mechanics, and many others, and they don’t care that I’m a stay at home Dad. I’m just another guy on a bike, that shares a common interest.
“Just another guy on a bike” BINGO! It’s like me at the tennis club, I don’t care if you are the Preisdent of a billion dollar company, we are just too guys whacking the ball around, and I fully play to kick their asses before getting a drink upstairs!
What a touching post! Reaching out and getting to know people makes such a difference. Yakezie has really changed the way I look at the blogging community and the Network gives me inspiration every day!
Good post and good reminder, Jeff. After reading, I went back and reconnected with some local friends that I had neglected these last few frantic months (or year).
Hanging out with friends and networking is really important and sometimes gets lost among our “busy” schedules. I think it’s great that you’re able to meet a couple of times a month and talk over beer (everything’s better with beer!) and food. Who knows what those connections will bring in the future. It sounds like your group of friends have diverse skills which could come in handy someday. Thanks for sharing this post, Jeff.
We value family bond, family is another form of networking, in this case within blood relationship. I do get more excited when my team succeed rather than only me.
Oh no, I am not on beer! ok…one only :)
Thanks One Cent – I think that family is a great form of networking – I always enjoy the time I spend with mine! LIke you, i’m happy when someone I know makes it – it makes me have hope that I can too in the future.
I think in every aspects of our life, whether it is with our friends, professional acquaintances, online venture, etc, networking has been a very powerful tool that would help us become really successful in our endeavors and even just for personal development
@ MC – Agreed – I’ve gotten so much from the network!
@ KC – that’s good to hear, being younger and not knowing much about where the future will take us, it’s nice to know that just hanging around and each working on our own goals and projects can take us places!
@ Hunter – I had a group of friends like that too -we’d just get together and watch regular season college basketball games. No one cares what anyone does, we just hung out, chatted and watched the game over a few beers. This was 5 years ago, and most of us are still pretty close.
@ Untemplater – Thanks! I’ve found that usually if you just ask people in your network, someone will come through, no matter how odd the request is.
@ 101 – Glad you were able to reconnect. I need to do that as well, but I have trouble finding the appropriate medium. I dont care for facebook because I think actions taken there are typically fake or forced, so i’m still working stuff out.
@ LH I think youre right (though we usually dont have beer because it’s lunchtime) but it’s just nice to catch up a bit, see where everyone is and if they need anything.
@ Ken – you’re absolutely right. You cant go wrong with networking. Even if the network isnt all that successful, you’ve still got a friend!
As they say, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” :) Perhaps it’s a little bit of both. :) Good luck on your venture. Networking can be very powerful. I’m sure the journey will be amazing.
I joined the Yakezie back when we were still on the Google Groups, so I remember those days, and it’s definitely come such a long way since then. Great post on the value of networks.
Knowing people and having connections definately helps you find people to collaborate with and — as importantly — trust those people. Whenever I’m launching a project, I look first to my friends. I’d rather work with them than a stranger.
I think that making connections – and then connecting those connections – is probably the most efficient way to get things done! As you noted, there isn’t much that you will need to go outside of your network for!
Networking is powerful. It also gives you a sense of belonging and a reminder that you are not alone in your endeavors.
I just joined Jeff and already in 2 days I have seen some changes to the way I think because of all of the valuable information on here. I am happy that I was able to find BITFS so that I could eventually come to Yakezie. You are absolutely right… If we stick to the things that we do and love we will find success.
[…] kept all of those half baked business ideas in the back of my mind – I talked them over with friends who have skills in various areas that are related to or ancillary to what I’d like to do.After earning my first bit of […]