Networking 101 - The great state of interdependence

Networking 101 - The great state of interdependence

By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting (Pty) Ltd

Dr. Renate Volpe, in her nugget cards entitled “Networking Tips” says:

“Inherent in successfully networking, is the philosophy of mutual support and interdependence.”

This is so cool, I was wondering when it was going to come up and I am so pleased that it has finally arrived.

Let’s just get the terminology right!  There is a huge difference between ‘interdependence’ and ‘co-dependence’!  The one is really healthy, the other is quite destructive – so make sure that you know which one it is that you are attached to.

Co-dependence – well, let’s just say it is not a good thing – it means pretty much that you cannot function on your own. 

Interdependence on the other hand is about the joining of forces.  It’s about collaboration and joint ventures.  It’s about the joining of synergies and strategic alliances.  It’s about doing what you are really, really good at and having an even greater value add by having someone who is really, really good at the things you aren’t so good at – in a partnership of sorts.  It’s about teamwork!

For me, on both a personal and professional level, it’s about making us SMME’s, you know – us little guys and gals, far more powerful than any of the big Corporate companies, because when we stand united and together, we can give any client far better service than any Corporate.

That’s a helleva statement to make, I am sure that you would agree, but it is actually the truth.

You see, each one of us individually are incredibly passionate about what we do and we are specialists in our own fields, but when we get together we are a huge force to be reckoned with.

Each one of us, passionate, committed, specialized – there is not one Corporate on the planet that can say that about each and every one of their staff.  In my book that makes us far more powerful and far more lethal.

So how about it folks – let’s all get interdependent upon one another and make the difference that we know we can!

For more information on Renate, please visit her website at http://www.drrenatevolpe.co.za

Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za