Thoughts from the Titanium Digital Rolodex

Thoughts from the Titanium Digital Rolodex

Chispa MagazinePhoto by Alejandro Escamilla

Through the years I’ve brought a lot of promising young companies (primarily tech start-ups) to the attention of angel investors and VC funds, and one of the first questions I ask entrepreneurs is, “What’s your business plan?” Before they risk investing in a company, funders want to see a strong, concise, detailed description of exactly how and when the business will turn a profit.

My question to you is, do you have a business relationship plan—a strategy for developing the connections that will help you succeed? The right network can represent significant value for you and your business, because the people in it can provide connections, opportunities, funding, and support. But to build a strong network will require an investment of your time and effort. That’s why I believe you must have a plan for finding and building the relationships that can mean the most for your success, and a system for deepening those relationships over time.

Developing a valuable network starts by assessing your current one. Here are a few questions to get you thinking.

1. How many of your current relationships would you consider strategic—meaning, you know exactly the value they can provide you, and that you can provide them? What is your network’s strategic quotient (SQ)?

2. How many different professions, industries, and communities are represented in your network? Do you have connections with people who are “higher up” than you as well as those who are just starting out?

3. How much do you know about the people in your network? Do you know what’s important to them in their lives and businesses? 

For more of Relationships, order your copy of the August/September issue here. 

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Judy Robinett

Judy Robinett

Judy Robinett is the author of "How to Be a Power Connector: The 5+50+150 Rule" (McGraw-Hill, May 2014), a book that provides instant, effective strategies for meeting the people you need to know and bonding with them to further your goals and theirs. Robinett is a business leader who is known as “the woman with the titanium digital Rolodex.” She has been profiled in Fast Company, Forbes, Venture Beat, Huffington Post, and Bloomberg Businessweek as a sterling example of the new breed of “super connectors” who use their experience and networks to accelerate growth and enhance profitability. In her more than 30 years of experience as an entrepreneur and corporate leader, Robinett has served as the CEO of both public and private companies and in management positions at Fortune 500 companies.
Judy Robinett

Latest posts by Judy Robinett (see all)

Judy Robinett

Judy Robinett is the author of "How to Be a Power Connector: The 5+50+150 Rule" (McGraw-Hill, May 2014), a book that provides instant, effective strategies for meeting the people you need to know and bonding with them to further your goals and theirs. Robinett is a business leader who is known as “the woman with the titanium digital Rolodex.” She has been profiled in Fast Company, Forbes, Venture Beat, Huffington Post, and Bloomberg Businessweek as a sterling example of the new breed of “super connectors” who use their experience and networks to accelerate growth and enhance profitability. In her more than 30 years of experience as an entrepreneur and corporate leader, Robinett has served as the CEO of both public and private companies and in management positions at Fortune 500 companies.