Your Network is your net worth.

Have you heard a popular saying “Your Network is your net worth”? I believe one of the reason many people joint Lagos Business School (LBS) community apart from learning, is networking. The school provide its students with opportunity to meet with different class of people with common interest so as to build a strong relationship for life.

Poter Gale, author of “your Network is your Net worth”. says “I believe that your social capital, or your ability to build network of authentic personal and professional relationships, not your financial capital, is the most important assets in your portfolio. I believe that seeking out and working in collaboration with others who share your interests and value will provide a stronger foundation, enabling you to reach a higher level of success than you would on your own. Therefore, I believe that your ‘net worth’ will be based, not on the size of your portfolio or the size of your network, but on your ability to define and stay true to your passions and values; and that working with other people who share them will allow you to build a strong and enduring interpersonal safety net that will carry you through any financial calamity to greater output and personal fulfilment”.

In today’s interconnected world, our networks play a crucial role in shaping our personal and professional lives. The people we know, the relationships we build, and the connections we make all contribute to our net worth, not just in terms of finances, but also in terms of opportunities, ideas, and experiences.

In my opinion, the saying “your Network is your Net worth” highlights the importance of investing time and effort into building and maintaining relationships that can help us achieve our goals and aspirations. I realize that the system of grouping students in LBS, for studying together helps in building stronger relationships.

Our social secretary Taiwo, comes with the idea of hanging out after a stressful week “the LBS Intensive week”. The idea is to refresh our heads and most importantly to network and do something different from academic work.

Moreover, networking has so mush advantage, because Your network can provide you with access to job opportunities, mentorship, and new business prospects. By connecting with people who have different skills, experiences, and perspectives than you do, you can expand your knowledge and open yourself up to new opportunities. Also, one can gain a valuable resource for learning and development. By sharing knowledge and exchanging ideas with others, you can gain insights that you may not have had access to otherwise.

During orientation sessions, we were told the story of one of the EMBA class whose massively supported the family of their course-mate who was involved in a plane crash. Likewise, having a strong network can provide you with emotional support during difficult times and help you navigate challenging situations. Whether it’s a personal crisis or a professional setback, having people you can rely on can make all the difference.