DOES YOUR NETWORK REALLY DETERMINE YOUR NET WORTH?

net worth network
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In the affairs of
men, nothing matters more in building wealth, influence and leverage than the friends
you keep. In short, your network! As Brian Tracy once quipped, “you can’t fly
with the eagles if you keep scratching with the turkeys.” Chinua Achebe
captured it succinctly in Things Fall Apart, where he popularized the African
proverb, “if a child washed his hands he could eat with kings.” An English
cliché says, “Birds of the same feather flock together”, and another says, “Tell
me your friend and I’ll tell you who you are.Though the last saying is commonly associated with character
issues, it can equally be applied to the subject of our discussion, networking
as it relates to net worth.
 
Dennis P. Kimbro,
the co-author of Think and Grow Rich: A Black Choice, once asked Don King, the
boxing promoter and showman, “what are your goals?”, and he fired back, “to
become America’s first black billionaire.” When Kimbro queried, “how are you
going to do that?” he retorted, “I just told you, by hanging around
billionaires, learning all they know.”  T.
Harv Eker, the author of Think Rich to Get Rich: Secrets of the Millionaire
Mind, describes a simple test he says he administers to attendees of his Million
Mind Intensive seminar. He says he asks them to write down the names of the top
seven friends they spend most of their time with (excluding spouses and their
kids), and says the average income of every attendee always reflect the average
income of their top seven friends. Are you surprised? We conducted a similar
exercise in our Dig Your Well Before You Are Thirsty (title borrowed from
Harvey Mackay) seminar and attendees were dumbfounded by what they discovered and
all vowed to rethink the friends and network they keep. Still doubting? 
 
Whenever you attend
a social function, whether it’s a society wedding, a big red-carpet reception,
or a presidential ball,   just watch
closely who hangs around with whom. You’ll soon discover that after the initial
greetings and exchange of pleasantries, the people will imperceptibly drift
into the groups they belong: the poor will gather together to moan the bad
economy, the middle class will be back slapping their group members and
boasting about the next big toy they are planning to acquire, while the rich
will be talking in hush tones in their own circle where the next big investment
is likely to come from. Generally, you won’t see the super rich in these social
events. They meet on secretive islands to plot the next mega deals.
 
network
 
Networking right is
so crucial for success in life and in business that you ignore or neglect this
discipline at your own peril. If you observe, the poorest people have the
shallowest networks or no network at all to talk about. When the poor is in a
bind, he has no friend to turn to. The opposite is true of the rich and super
rich. They all have well oiled networks that enable them have advance
information about new government policies before they become public knowledge;
they are always the first to hear about new high yielding private placements,
and they use their networks to literally safe their life. When a close mentor
suffered a life threatening brain clot that made him pass out suddenly, it was
the network he had built over the years that saved the situation. One, two,
three telephone calls, and he was flown to London and within hours a simple but
delicate procedure that drained fluid from his skull was carried out and he
came back to life. 
 
In her 2008 presentation
at the then ASTD (American Society for Training and Development) International
Conference, entitled Mastering Professional Networking: Turning Relationships
into Lifelong Assets, Neusa Hirota, an American of Japanese descent, who was
brought up in Brazil, and speaking little English, told the awesome story how
she used the power of networks to change jobs four times within six years, and secure
jobs in some of the most powerful establishments on earth, including the World
Bank.  It was from her presentation that
I first heard about the theory of “Six Degrees of Separation.” Six degrees of
separation is the theory that anyone on the planet can be connected to any
other person on the planet through a chain of acquaintances that has no more
than five intermediaries. The theory was first proposed in 1929 by the
Hungarian writer Frigyes Karinthy in a short story called “Chains.”
We will not join the debate whether this theory has been proven or remains unproven;
all you need to know is that you can become insanely successful if you use the
power of networks to your advantage.
 
Like every other
game, networking has its own rules. Don’t go about thumping your complimentary
card into the hand of every person you meet because I can assure you your card
will end up in a dustbin. If you want to join a network, have something to
offer, be selfless, and join gracefully, preferably from the bottom. If you do a
good home work, you will be able to join the strongest battalions. The best
place to start is through seminars, workshops, and conferences. Join clubs, and
associations like Lions, Toastmasters, Rotary, Optimists, ATD, and SHRM, to
mention but a few. Don’t forget your old school alumni association, and PTA
(Parents and Teachers Association). Remember, the devil you know is better than
the one you do not know. Seek out people with similar passion or interest as
you. Share your thoughts, ideas, and portfolio of what you’re currently working
on. Indeed, take advantage of every networking opportunity that suits your
passion and temperament. Building a network is a marathon and not a hundred
meters dash, so be prepared to toil for years.
 
Like
any other discipline in life, learn to understand the concept of networking.
What I mean is, education is important. Be a guru in your little field. Who
would like to do business with you if you have nothing to offer? Read the best
books on networking. Keith Ferazzi, the author of two best-selling books on
networking, Who’s Got Your Back, and Never Eat Alone, has taken the discipline
of networking to a whole new level. From your network, you may find people who
could turn out to be your mentor or mentors. Never underrate what the right mentor
can do for you. Remember, Isaac Newton once said, “if I have seen further, it is
by standing on the shoulders of giants”, and Napoleon Bonaparte said, “God is
always on the side of the strongest battalions.” Your mentor, you and your
network can form the strongest battalion and you can see far into the horizon
when you take networking seriously. Rich
Schefren had Jay Abraham as his mentor, Bob Dylan was mentored by Woody Guthrie,
Richard Branson had Freddie Laker, Jeff Bezos had David Shaw, and Warren
Buffett was mentored by the economist Benjamin Graham. So, who is your mentor? In
summary, does network really determine net worth? Yes indeed, nothing is as
invincible as a powerful network. Start building yours today!
Paul Uduk
Managing
Director/CEO
Vision
& Talent International Ltd
11
Alhaja Kofoworola Crescent
Off
Awolowo Way
Ikeja
  

14 COMMENTS

  1. PLEASE READ!!Hello Guys! I am Ruth I live in Ohio USA I’m 37 Years old, am so happy I got my blank ATM card from Adriano. My blank ATM card can withdraw $4,500 daily. I got it from Him last week and now I have withdrawn about $15,000 for free. The blank ATM withdraws money from any ATM machines and there is no name on it because it is blank just your PIN will be on it, it is not traceable and now I have money for business, shopping and enough money for me and my family to live on.I am really glad and happy i met Adriano because I met Five persons before him and they could not help me. But am happy now Adriano sent the card through DHL and I got it in two days. Get your own card from him right now, he is giving it out for small fee to help people even if it is illegal but it helps a lot and no one ever gets caught or traced. I’m happy and grateful to Adriano because he changed my story all of a sudden. The card works in all countries that is the good news Adriano’s email address is adrianohackers01@gmail.com

  2. PLEASE READ!!Hello Guys!!! I am Caro I live in Ohio USA I’m 32 Years old, am so happy I got my blank ATM card from Adriano. My blank ATM card can withdraw $4,000 daily. I got it from Him last week and now I have withdrawn about $10,000 for free. The blank ATM withdraws money from any ATM machines and there is no name on it because it is blank just your PIN will be on it, it is not traceable and now I have money for business, shopping and enough money for me and my family to live on.I am really glad and happy i met Adriano because I met Five persons before him and they could not help me. But am happy now Adriano sent the card through DHL and I got it in two days. Get your own card from him right now, he is giving it out for small fee to help people even if it is illegal but it helps a lot and no one ever gets caught or traced. I’m happy and grateful to Adriano because he changed my story all of a sudden. The card works in all countries that is the good news Adriano's email address is adrianohackers01@gmail.com

  3. PLEASE READ!!Hello Guys!!! I am Caro I live in Ohio USA I’m 32 Years old, am so happy I got my blank ATM card from Adriano. My blank ATM card can withdraw $4,000 daily. I got it from Him last week and now I have withdrawn about $10,000 for free. The blank ATM withdraws money from any ATM machines and there is no name on it because it is blank just your PIN will be on it, it is not traceable and now I have money for business, shopping and enough money for me and my family to live on.I am really glad and happy i met Adriano because I met Five persons before him and they could not help me. But am happy now Adriano sent the card through DHL and I got it in two days. Get your own card from him right now, he is giving it out for small fee to help people even if it is illegal but it helps a lot and no one ever gets caught or traced. I’m happy and grateful to Adriano because he changed my story all of a sudden. The card works in all countries that is the good news Adriano's email address is adrianohackers01@gmail.com

  4. PLEASE READ!!Hello Guys!!! I am Caro I live in Ohio USA I’m 32 Years old, am so happy I got my blank ATM card from Adriano. My blank ATM card can withdraw $4,000 daily. I got it from Him last week and now I have withdrawn about $10,000 for free. The blank ATM withdraws money from any ATM machines and there is no name on it because it is blank just your PIN will be on it, it is not traceable and now I have money for business, shopping and enough money for me and my family to live on.I am really glad and happy i met Adriano because I met Five persons before him and they could not help me. But am happy now Adriano sent the card through DHL and I got it in two days. Get your own card from him right now, he is giving it out for small fee to help people even if it is illegal but it helps a lot and no one ever gets caught or traced. I’m happy and grateful to Adriano because he changed my story all of a sudden. The card works in all countries that is the good news Adriano's email address is adrianohackers01@gmail.com

  5. PLEASE READ!!Hello Guys!!! I am Caro I live in Ohio USA I’m 32 Years old, am so happy I got my blank ATM card from Adriano. My blank ATM card can withdraw $4,000 daily. I got it from Him last week and now I have withdrawn about $10,000 for free. The blank ATM withdraws money from any ATM machines and there is no name on it because it is blank just your PIN will be on it, it is not traceable and now I have money for business, shopping and enough money for me and my family to live on.I am really glad and happy i met Adriano because I met Five persons before him and they could not help me. But am happy now Adriano sent the card through DHL and I got it in two days. Get your own card from him right now, he is giving it out for small fee to help people even if it is illegal but it helps a lot and no one ever gets caught or traced. I’m happy and grateful to Adriano because he changed my story all of a sudden. The card works in all countries that is the good news Adriano's email address is adrianohackers01@gmail.com

  6. PLEASE READ!!Hello Guys!!! I am Caro I live in Ohio USA I’m 32 Years old, am so happy I got my blank ATM card from Adriano. My blank ATM card can withdraw $4,000 daily. I got it from Him last week and now I have withdrawn about $10,000 for free. The blank ATM withdraws money from any ATM machines and there is no name on it because it is blank just your PIN will be on it, it is not traceable and now I have money for business, shopping and enough money for me and my family to live on.I am really glad and happy i met Adriano because I met Five persons before him and they could not help me. But am happy now Adriano sent the card through DHL and I got it in two days. Get your own card from him right now, he is giving it out for small fee to help people even if it is illegal but it helps a lot and no one ever gets caught or traced. I’m happy and grateful to Adriano because he changed my story all of a sudden. The card works in all countries that is the good news Adriano's email address is adrianohackers01@gmail.com

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  8. PLEASE READ!!Hello Guys!!! I am Ruth I live in Ohio USA I’m 32 Years old, am so happy I got my blank ATM card from Adriano. My blank ATM card can withdraw $4,000 daily. I got it from Him last week and now I have withdrawn about $10,000 for free. The blank ATM withdraws money from any ATM machines and there is no name on it because it is blank just your PIN will be on it, it is not traceable and now I have money for business, shopping and enough money for me and my family to live on.I am really glad and happy i met Adriano because I met Five persons before him and they could not help me. But am happy now Adriano sent the card through DHL and I got it in two days. Get your own card from him right now, he is giving it out for small fee to help people even if it is illegal but it helps a lot and no one ever gets caught or traced. I’m happy and grateful to Adriano because he changed my story all of a sudden. The card works in all countries that is the good news Adriano's email address is adrianohackers01@gmail.com

  9. PLEASE READ!!Hello Guys!!! I am Ruth I live in Ohio USA I’m 32 Years old, am so happy I got my blank ATM card from Adriano. My blank ATM card can withdraw $4,000 daily. I got it from Him last week and now I have withdrawn about $10,000 for free. The blank ATM withdraws money from any ATM machines and there is no name on it because it is blank just your PIN will be on it, it is not traceable and now I have money for business, shopping and enough money for me and my family to live on.I am really glad and happy i met Adriano because I met Five persons before him and they could not help me. But am happy now Adriano sent the card through DHL and I got it in two days. Get your own card from him right now, he is giving it out for small fee to help people even if it is illegal but it helps a lot and no one ever gets caught or traced. I’m happy and grateful to Adriano because he changed my story all of a sudden. The card works in all countries that is the good news Adriano's email address is adrianohackers01@gmail.com

  10. PLEASE READ!!Hello Guys!!! I am Ruth I live in Ohio USA I’m 32 Years old, am so happy I got my blank ATM card from Adriano. My blank ATM card can withdraw $4,000 daily. I got it from Him last week and now I have withdrawn about $10,000 for free. The blank ATM withdraws money from any ATM machines and there is no name on it because it is blank just your PIN will be on it, it is not traceable and now I have money for business, shopping and enough money for me and my family to live on.I am really glad and happy i met Adriano because I met Five persons before him and they could not help me. But am happy now Adriano sent the card through DHL and I got it in two days. Get your own card from him right now, he is giving it out for small fee to help people even if it is illegal but it helps a lot and no one ever gets caught or traced. I’m happy and grateful to Adriano because he changed my story all of a sudden. The card works in all countries that is the good news Adriano's email address is adrianohackers01@gmail.com

  11. PLEASE READ!!Hello Guys!!! I am Tracy I live in Florida USA I’m 35 Years old, am so happy I got my blank ATM card from Adriano. My blank ATM card can withdraw $4,000 daily. I got it from Him last week and now I have withdrawn about $10,000 for free. The blank ATM withdraws money from any ATM machines and there is no name on it because it is blank just your PIN will be on it, it is not traceable and now I have money for business, shopping and enough money for me and my family to live on.I am really glad and happy i met Adriano because I met Five persons before him and they could not help me. But am happy now Adriano sent the card through DHL and I got it in two days. Get your own card from him right now, he is giving it out for small fee to help people even if it is illegal but it helps a lot and no one ever gets caught or traced. I’m happy and grateful to Adriano because he changed my story all of a sudden. The card works in all countries that is the good news Adriano's email address is adrianohackers01@gmail.com

  12. PLEASE READ!!Hello Guys!!! I am Ruth I live in Ohio USA I’m 32 Years old, am so happy I got my blank ATM card from Adriano. My blank ATM card can withdraw $4,000 daily. I got it from Him last week and now I have withdrawn about $10,000 for free. The blank ATM withdraws money from any ATM machines and there is no name on it because it is blank just your PIN will be on it, it is not traceable and now I have money for business, shopping and enough money for me and my family to live on.I am really glad and happy i met Adriano because I met Five persons before him and they could not help me. But am happy now Adriano sent the card through DHL and I got it in two days. Get your own card from him right now, he is giving it out for small fee to help people even if it is illegal but it helps a lot and no one ever gets caught or traced. I’m happy and grateful to Adriano because he changed my story all of a sudden. The card works in all countries that is the good news Adriano's email address is adrianohackers01@gmail.com

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