Author Bio

Mike Dulworth is an expert on the strategic value of personal and professional networks. He is President and CEO of Executive Networks, which is a leading provider of peer networks for human resource professionals in large organizations. Mike is the author of several books and he writes and speaks widely on networking. Learn more

What's Your Networking Quotient?

Before you answer the questions below, take some time to list all the people in your network universe. Your networking universe consists of three primary types:

1) personal network
2) professional network
3) virtual network

Each plays a role in determining your NQ. Your personal network is made up of your family, extended family, school friends and contacts, lifelong friends, and so on. It is also made up of your active friends (people you see face-to-face at least once a month) and people from your church, clubs, activities, neighborhood, and community.

Your professional network includes contacts from previous jobs, colleagues from other firms, and contacts in your current organization.

Your virtual network is comprised of people you know only through online interactions or other non-face-to-face connections. Obviously, these networks overlap. You may be close friends with a business associate - or a family member may you help make a professional connection. And more and more networking is being done online. But they can serve as useful groupings in determining your NQ.

Two components go into your NQ: Part A focuses the scope and strength of your existing network, and Part B focuses on how active you are in building and maintaining your network.
With these components in mind, assess your NQ by honestly answering the following questions on a scale of 0-4:

Question 1:


Part A: Network Scope and Strength - How many total people are in your personal, professional, and virtual networks? Add them all together.
Under 10
11 - 100
101-200
201-400
more than 400

Question 2:


How strong are your relationships with your network? Is someone just a business card trader (you traded cards but can hardly remember where or when), an acquaintance (they know who you are and will probably return a call); a personal contact (they'll do a favor if asked); or a close friend (you can count on them when the chips are down)?
Everyone is a card trader
Mostly acquaintances
Lots of personal contacts
A mix of personal contacts and close friends
Mostly close friends with a few personal contacts and acquaintances

Question 3:


How diverse is your network? If everyone you know if the same age and sex as you, shares you cultural background, and works in the same area, your network is not diverse at all. On the other hand, if you network with everyone from 8 to 80, of both sexes and a variety of cultural backgrounds, in different kinds of jobs in different industries, you have a very diverse network.
Looking at my network is like looking in a mirror
My network is mostly people like me, but there is some diversity
There is a good amount of diversity
My network includes people from a wide variety of backgrounds and industries
My network includes many people from a wide variety of backgrounds, interests, and industries

Question 4:


What's the overall quality of your network contacts? Are the people in your network experienced, with significant accomplishments? Do they have strong networks of their own? Are they well-known within a professional sphere? Can they open doors for you?
I like them, but they aren't movers and shakers by any means
There are a few people with some connections
Some people in my network really command attention
Many people in my network are at the top of their fields and very well connected
I can contact almost anyone on earth through the people in my network

Question 5:


Part B: Networking Activities - To what extent do you actively work on building your network relationships? Do you follow up after the first meeting? Do you make sure to periodically connect with people? Do you return phone calls and answer emails promptly. Do you try to meet face to face regularly?
I don't have time for that
I try to reach out if I can find the time
I try to make time, but it's hit or miss
I consistently make time to connect with people
I make connecting with people my top priority every day

Question 6:


How actively do you recruit new members to your network?
do nothing
hardly at all
sometimes
often
all the time

Question 7:


How often do you help others in your network (both when asked for help and unsolicited)?
never
rarely
sometimes
often
all the time

Question 8:


To what extent do you leverage the Internet to build and maintain your networks?
never
rarely
sometimes
often
all the time