Friends in High Places and the Low Ones as Well

There's something to be said about the ability to both make and keep friends. In my opinion, it is hard to find people that will actually be able to help you when you need it because many people are too busy trying to make sure that they don't fall behind themselves. I always try to find people who are good at what they do, influential in their careers, and provide a valuable atmosphere. This is so that I can always feel like I'm progressing both in my career and social stature. At moments, you may find yourself looking around and not really knowing anyone in a particular room, but you are able to identify people's role as you look around.

While I was spending time in Washington D.C, my dad put together a business party for people he knew and thought that I would be interested in meeting. This was at the same time as a seminar which I was attending in Info-Metrics and both were valuable opportunities to make contacts. Though both situations had a different atmosphere, it is easy to find people who are able to help you to accomplish your goals if you ask the right questions. Though I'm not going into the conversations which I had during those two meetings, I made some valuable contacts which I still have today.

But this is all in scope. When we talk about the people we know, often times they aren't people who are earning six figure incomes. They are the layman who fill positions in vary levels throughout the city. People who may or may not have finished college. There are people everyday who are able to help us with situations which we are struggling with, but not necessarily with our professional sphere, but with the "everyday's".

Imagine a situation in which your car is broken down. Knowing high level executives may not be able to help you with this, but your neighbor might. Perhaps your neighbor knows someone that could help. It all comes to how well you are connected, but somewhere along the way, it comes back to someone that everyone needs. Most people are reluctant to use products that haven't been endorsed by someone they know, but if you were connected to someone who was trusted, you would most likely feel more comfortable.

Generally, I call these communities; a network where people will different skills and abilities are located. Within these figurative locations, we are able to visit with people and make requests to fill some need. Most likely, individuals will be able to find someone that they know within some arm of a network. The problem arises when you aren't aware of people who have the abilities you need. This requires a community to cluster, or condense, to allow for the ease of transmittable conversation. The importance of this stretches past our need for connection, but simplifies the daily process of life. Both ends of the relationship will benefit, much like when a consumer and a producer meet up. These personal relationships based on trust are the first places we resort to when seeking to satisfy a need.