The best place to start is at the beginning.
I've heard many beginning coaches stall before they get started because of their lack of contacts and connectors. This is certainly nothing to be ashamed of or worried about.
Why?
Everybody at one time had ZERO contacts and connectors. ZERO! Then they met one person, and the rest is history, and it will be for you too.
For definition sake, let me expound on these two terms; contacts and connectors.
A contact is a person who you know to some degree, from little to a lot. They are in the coaching field or sports in general. You may know very little about them, but you will add them to your current network just the same. You never know how that person's career will develop over time. The waterboy can become the Commissioner of the NBA in today's world. It's wise to see everyone of worth and value, not just for your career's health. Seeing all people as humans with value is a good way to look at the world anyway.
A connector is a contact who is a mover. A connector is someone that meets people easily, has a lot of contacts, and seems to have a "connection" to many others. It seems that everywhere you go, a connector will know someone or be known by someone. When you ask a connector is he knows someone with a truck, he'll ask which of 10 people he knows would you like him to ask for you!
Contacts are a part of one of two groups. They are simply surface or artificial relationships or connector relationships. There is nothing wrong with knowing people just by name and very little else. If at the current time they are just that, maybe they will grow into someone who you consider a connector. They will help your network's size, but do not have the quality of depth in relationship that can help you. Always see a surface relationship as a potential boost to your network because you never know.
Keys
1. Treat everyone with respect and mutual interest and curiosity. They are humans of value and worth and are on a career path themselves that has an undeterminded direction.
2. Everyone at one time had zero contacts and virtually no network. It started with one person and grew exponentiallly, like yours will.
3. Identify people you know in and out of your specific field. Many people can be cross over support because you don't yet know who they know.
4. Have your eyes and ears alert at all times for people you may know or not yet know. A potential contact for you is present where ever people are....everywhere!
5. Stay positive because this is a long building process done over time. Think of this in terms of a one by one experience. If you have that philosophy, over time you will amass a very large network.
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Lesson 10:
Step 1--Your Starting Point--Identify current network and connectors
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This course is the most detailed and time tested system available to all coaches in all sports. The primary focus is to learn a system that has worked for over 100 coaches to reach positions in high school, AAU, Prep School, Junior College, College NCAA all levels, and the NBA. The course is the culmination of over 30 years of networking successfully and at time, unsuccessfully. My mistakes are...
