The future is networks

Research released today reveals a change in attitude towards networks and networking - as 68% of people expect to be part of more networks in five years time. With this figure rising to 75% in the 25-44 age group, the survey by international leadership development organisation Common Purpose, suggests greater recognition of the value of networks by generations Y and X.

Furthermore, the research suggests that one of the reasons why the trend for networking continues to grow and diversify is that it is seen as more than a social activity. It found widespread confidence in the benefits of networking as a professional boost, with almost two thirds of respondents saying that networks are important to their career success. What makes a network valuable however, and how people decide which to use and with what frequency, could be a question on many busy professionalsí minds.

Common Purpose welcomes these results as it launches Common Purpose 360, a new way for its diverse network of 25,000 Common Purpose graduates to keep in touch and to keep building new networks with other people where they live and work. The community, which will exist online and also come together face to face at local events, is designed to help the graduates continue to develop as outward-facing professionals. The network will consist of managers and executives of all ages, experiences, sectors, and backgrounds from several countries including the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland and South Africa.

Common Purpose encourages people to actively seek out diverse networks as a way of hearing new ideas, seeking new perspectives and spotting new opportunities. It believes that seeing the world through the eyes of others can have career-enhancing benefits as well as bring innovation back into organisations.

Julia Middleton, Chief Executive of Common Purpose says: ìNothing happens without networks. They are fundamental to the success and security of businesses, and present an opportunity for people to see each otherís issues, spot new ideas and see the risks that are not simply confined to one department, organisation, community or even country. We need to encourage more new networks so people can gather ideas and start to grab the opportunities that emerge from working together. î

Top tips for creating valuable networks
Develop ëturbulentí as well as ësupportí networks. The people in your turbulent network will tell you the truth, even when you donít want to hear it.

Ensure that the purpose of the network is not to exclude others, and build a network that is bigger than the individuals involved.

Step forward at a networking opportunity and actively seek to meet new people: Introduce yourself to someone you donít know.

Practice taking the trouble to introduce people to each other properly, which allows you to move on to talk to someone else.

Set yourself targets - how many new people are you going to meet and how many old relationships will you nurture? Seek the views of someone you wouldnít normally - can you see things from their point of view?