Five Steps to Begin Networking for Business Success

There's a saying to get ahead 'It's not what you know but who you know' and when building a new business 'It's how many people get to know you'. Recently the term 'white privilege' has been bandied about more than ever. It refers to many things but clearly to opportunities one has to achieve success through family, wealth, contacts and connections, built up over years and generations. It can matter who your family is; their business; what schools you went to; and what neighborhood you grew up in. These can all help achieve success in life.

Some believe using connections to get ahead is cheating. Others think connections are only something those with 'privilege' have. Reality is we all have the ability to make connections and build networks. Yes being rich, going to a fancy prep school and summering on Martha's Vineyard or the French Riviera may give you a leg-up on the rest of us; but being born to wealth and privilege isn't the only way, or even a guarantee of success. The rest of us just have to work a little harder but we can all get there.

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