Imagine your knowledge base as a giant spider spinning a web of facts, ideas, and people. And that's where networking comes into play. It's as if you were that spider, but not some humble grey spider, but a real superhero who knows who to ask, what to read, and how to get the most out of communication.
Example: "Who Was That?" or Why Networking Matters
- Let's imagine. You're at a conference, and someone shares a brilliant idea about how to use AI to automate routine tasks. You take a few notes, nod your head, and think, "Wow, that's definitely something I could use!" But then a month passes, and the only thing you remember is a vague impression that some smart person said something... Only the name of that genius has conveniently disappeared. And here's the first lesson: include people in your knowledge base!
- Networking is not just "say hello, smile and forget". It's like replenishing your arsenal with expert contacts, which, by the way, can be tagged by topic! Now every conference, meetup or just meeting with smart people becomes your personal treasure trove of information. Need to know something about cryptocurrencies? You already know who to ask. Need advice on legal issues? Here it is, your knowledge base, with all the contacts and comments.
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Tagging people: colleagues and experts
Just like you tag notes, you can tag people. For example, you have a friend Peter, who understands early-stage startups, and Marina, who has extensive experience in marketing. Remembering all these people and how they can be useful is a mission impossible for the brain (especially if you have several hundred more acquaintances in reserve). But with a knowledge base, it's easy!
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Example: "Smart People in My Life"
- Remember how you accidentally found yourself at a conference and sat at the same table with professionals from different fields. One of them turned out to be a cybersecurity expert, another - an advanced AI developer, and the third - a master at creating startups. And if all this time you just sat and nodded, thinking: "Why do I need all this?", congratulations, you missed the moment.
- Networking is not just a "list of acquaintances", it is your living knowledge base. These people can help you fill in the gaps where you are incompetent (or just do not want to understand). Imagine that each person is a book that you can read by asking the right question. And with the help of a knowledge base and tagging, you will always remember what this "book" does and when it is best to "read" it.
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How networking helps you avoid stupid mistakes
Have you ever tried to understand a complex topic, and then suddenly remembered that you already know someone who could explain it to you in five minutes? But so much time has passed that you feel awkward writing to this person. Networking and a knowledge base are here to save you from such situations. Write down all useful contacts at once, add comments about what you discussed, and don’t be shy about asking for help.
Example: You were working on a new strategy for your company, and now you urgently need to understand the legal aspects of international trade. A couple of hours on the Internet only confused you, and then you remember that a few months ago you talked to a lawyer who does exactly this. Instead of panicking, you open your database, find his contacts, and voila - you have expert help in five minutes. Life hack, as they say.
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Conclusion: Networking is your "living" knowledge base
Networking is not about the number of business cards in your pocket, it's about effective use of connections. When you collect contacts and information from other people and add it to your knowledge base, you create a powerful tool that works for you. It's like having Google, but instead of faceless search results, there are people ready to help you with specific tasks and questions.
Don't forget to add these contacts to your knowledge base, take notes after the conversation and tag them - then you won't have to remember the name of that smart person who saved you from yet another intellectual disaster.
