The logic of business networking tells you that the higher you are on the corporate food chain, the better connected you are. CEOs especially should be well-connected because of the nature of their jobs. However, things have changed as chief executives have become more insular than they used to be because they have to stay inwardly focused on their companies, which is why I was interested to see a recent article on the Forbes web site about CEO networking strategies. As one of the experts in the article states:
“It all used to be simpler for them, says Greg Carrott, managing director of the CEO search firm Cavoure. ‘Ten or 15 years ago, most CEOs would sit on four to six boards,’ he says. They'd exchange stories and contacts over dinner when the boards met, which was a great way to get professional advice and make connections. ‘That isn't so much the case anymore,’ Carrott laments. ‘The demands of the job now don't allow it.’
How do CEOs maintain their networks today? There are a number of strategies cited by Forbes. Gary Heath, CEO of Informative Graphics Corp., suggests you stay connected with a handful or advisors who are really well connected, such as accountants and bankers. Leverage their networks so you can find the resources you need when you need them.
Gary Burnison, CEO of Korn/Ferry International, suggests that CEOs make keeping up with contacts a part of their work schedule. If you put it on your calendar you won’t forget to stay connected.
Some CEOs, like Rob Gorrie of Adcentricity, are finding online networking a boon to maintaining high-level contacts. Others, like Jack Anderson of Hornall, Anderson isn’t as crazy about social networking. He says he has enough to just stay in touch with employees, clients, and partners, and he has three separate smart phones to organize his social and business lives. A third CEO, Jim Howard of CrownPeak, says his presence on social networking sites helps improve his in-person meetings. He reviews online profiles and corporate blogs to help him learn more about a company before a meeting.
So no matter where you are on the corporate ladder, staying connected is a challenge for everyone. The key is to find a networking protocol that works for you and stick with it. Make it part of your work day. It will pay off sooner than you think.
