Stefan Lindegaard on Open Innovation

Master Networking to Support Open Innovation

• Only network if you have a purpose. I strongly encourage you not to listen to the people who say you should network with everyone within sight so as to not risk losing any opportunities. You are already busy, and time is the most precious thing you have, so do not spend time on activities that do not serve a higher purpose. This also goes for networking groups, which can be very useful. However, you should only join such a group if you have a purpose. It is also just fine to leave the group once that purpose is fulfilled.


• Learn to "turn on the switch" – even if you're an introvert. Some people believe only extroverts can become good networkers. However, psychologists classify introverts as people who gain energy from being alone. It does not matter how outgoing or shy they may or may not be. This is true in my case. I would categorize myself as an introvert. I like to be by myself. I have no problem at all meeting other people, but I prefer to be by myself or with my family. My trick, and the trick introverts must use, is that I can turn on the switch and go into a networking mode. I have learned networking techniques, and I believe that having to work harder than natural extroverts has made me a better networker.
  
  You can become a better networker by investing in a better understanding of how networking works and how you can use networks to meet your goals. Let me share a few tips on how to "turn on the switch" before you go to an event or a conference:
  
  
  • Do your research before you go to an event. Know who you want to meet and be prepared.
  
  
  • Everyone seeks upward connections when they're networking. If people you want to connect with see you as "inferior," they will think you are wasting their time. And networking time is often very limited. However, most people are polite and will give you one minute. So have your pitch ready and be prepared to make the most of your brief opportunity. If you are prepared, things will go much easier even for introverts.
  
  
  • Do the necessary follow-up work as soon as possible.
  
  
• Leverage the power of six degrees of separation to reach anyone in the world. This refers to the idea that if a person is one step away from each person they know and two steps away from each person who is known by one of the people they know, then everyone is an average of six steps away from each person on Earth. Think of someone who could really influence your career and see how many steps it would take you to connect with that person. You'll often be surprised that you don't even need six steps; it can often be done in just three or four connections.
  
  Here's how this works in terms of networks. Networks clump people together with other people who share the same values or have a common area of expertise. The larger group usually only has a few people connecting outside this group; these people are the brokers or bridge builders who connect groups with groups. The role of brokers explains how six degrees of separation works. If you connect with a bridge builder, that person will then connect you with another bridge builder, and so on and so on until you reach the person you want to reach. You can become very valuable by becoming a broker yourself. Also, connecting others creates friction, which creates new ways of thinking and prosperity, so for innovation leaders and intrapreneurs, being a broker can be particularly valuable and exciting.