The Network's Networth

Again today, like so many days in the past few weeks and months, I was asked several times whether I could be part of someone's network on LINKEDIN or Facebook. While it is flattering to be requested so many times I can't help but wonder if this signifies a new recognition of the philosophical fact that the network (and by inference one's REPUTATION) is everything in these changing times or whether it signals a more "tactical" (read cynical) realization that pharmaceutical companies (the top of the food chain for so many years) are now changing from their previously held positions of trust and power. Many are losing comfortable and secure jobs held over many years as the large companies re-organize and merge etc. Those same people who were so aloof and unapproachable find themselves in the unenviable position of now having to ask favors from those they might have shunned in the past.

I have leaned that if you want to harvest from the connection tree, like any other plant, you need to care for the whole thing, spend time in GOOD times to nurture it and look after its upkeep. Otherwise when you need its fruits you may find yourself out in the desert. Connection trees are self pruning If a branch is not kept alive through frequent contact it whithers and dies away. The second lesson I have learned through life is that one makes connections with people because of WHO they are not WHAT position they occupy at the time. Life is in a constant state of flux but by and large good people remaingood people. As always your comments are welcome.