The Power of Who

So I've always been one of those people who thought that who you know is worth something, but so many people have the opinion that using who you know to get somewhere is somehow wrong or makes it less of an accomplishment. So I've never truly voiced my opinion - until now. I recently finished reading a book called The Power of Who by Bob Beaudine and it was a great book. You should read it if you get the chance. It talks about how who you know in life really IS important and it can get you so much farther than just trying to do it all on your own. If you wanted a job in California at a TV station and you knew someone who already worked at one, wouldn't you call them and ask for their help? Wouldn't you call them and say "Hey! Can you give me a reference, or an introduction, or a meeting with Mr. Whoever?" Or would you just fly out there and walk around aimlessly from station to station until someone decided to let you in the door? If you choose the latter, you're an idiot. Any person in their right mind is going to use the Power of their "Who." Meaning, you use the acquaintances, friends, inner circle friends, and family that you have in order to help further yourself in life. And you, in turn do the same for them. If you have the chance to help someone, don't you take it? If you're a CEO in a company and your old college buddy calls you up and says "hey my daughter is looking for a job in your industry." - wouldn't you offer up some assistance JUST BECAUSE he was your college buddy? Not because his daughter is some genius or would be that much of an asset to you, but simply because he's a friend and you're helping him out. YES. You would. And that doesn't make his daughter an ass-kisser or any less qualified. It means she knew somebody and was smart enough to utilize that connection. If you have 2 perfectly equal candidates for a job, everything about them is EXACTLY equal - wouldn't you hire the one who your sister's neighbor called you about? Yes you would, because you had a more personal connection. But what I don't understand is people who see this as somehow diminishing your accomplishment or attainment of a job or position. I think sometimes it's because they're unlikeable people and no one wants to help them in this way. So they're all bitter about anyone who does get ahead because of their "Who." When I started my Aloette business, the only way I survived for the first few months was through the help of my "Who." Almost every relative, friend, and neighbor that I have or ever had either came to or had their own Aloette party just to help me out. Did they really care about Aloette at the time? Probably not. (Although they do now! :-P ) But they helped me just because they were my "who" and they saw the chance to help a friend. Plain and simple. And I'm grateful. Now I have a successful business. Do I feel less accomplished because I didn't go roaming the streets looking for people to have parties? Nope. But some people would say that. And they're wrong. PRIME EXAMPLE: New teacher 1 says "I've been trying all week to get the computer people to come and fix this stupid computer. It won't work and I need it!" New teacher 2 says "Well I've known the head of the computer department my whole life - want me to call her and see if she'll come fix it?" New teacher 1 says OK. So New teacher 2 calls, and by the end of the day it's fixed. Now new teacher 1, if she had a brain, would say "Wow! I have a friend who can get stuff accomplished in the computer dept. That could really be an asset in the future!" But instead, new teacher 1 sulks around and acts like a cry-baby because SHE couldn't get it done herself. Know why they didn't come help her? Because she was new and they didn't know her........ Duh. She was no more important than anyone else to them. But the lifelong friend DID matter. So if you're someone who believes that working yourself to the bone is going to get you further in life, or that doing it all by yourself is going to matter, you better open your eyes. Because you're just going to end up tired and in the same old position with a broken computer. And the guy who called up his Dad's old college roommate, or his childhood best friend, is going to be the one in the new position AND a new car.
Now don't misunderstand - I'm not saying people who utilize their "who" don't work hard..... they work very hard. But they work SMART. They make relationships, they call people, they go to lunches, they keep up with their friends and acquaintances in a personal way. They also keep their ideas fresh and new. They don't stick with the old way just because. They don't use internet social networking for everything. Yes, it can be good for certain things. But the power of a phone call is amazing. {Texting is going to be the downfall of our children. Did you know that kids ask each other to school dances, like prom, etc. through texts?? How pathetic is that? They can't even muster up the courage to ask someone to a dance.... because texting has made them socially retarded. I sound like I'm 80. I digress....} These "who" people put in the hours necessary to accomplish the appropriate goals and get needed results. Just because you work a 50 hour week doesn't mean you're accomplishing anything more. And just because the "Who" person only works a 30 hour week doesn't mean he's slacking - it means he works smarter than you do. So I guess my point is that who you know really does make a difference, whether you like it or not. So if you're not using the Power of your Who, that's fine.... I'll call them instead.