THE KEY FOR THE 21ST CENTURY YOUTH'S TO BECOME THE NEXT GENERATION OF BILLIONAIRES
WHAT IS NETWORKING? WHAT A VERY CRUCIAL QUESTION.
INTRODUCTION
According to the Online Oxford Language Dictionary, Networking is the action or process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts. In my opinion, networking is one of my three Great Codes out of the Matrix and Pixelated Rat Race.
The first two are;
* Hardwork (The slowest and Most Overrated One of the Powers of the Poor)
* Smartwork (The Average One; cause it's an upgraded version of hardwork with your head), while Network is the fastest and Most Sustainable Way used by the rich to build and maintain wealth.
The Rich find ways to effectively communicate their interests and effectively share, gather, experiment and bring ideas to life by connecting with like-minded Individuals in creating business opportunities.
A Network in my opinion is a systematic framework where like-minded Individuals, with a similar Inspiration, Zeal and drive collaborate to bring successful ideas to life.
A typical Wealthy Man knows nobody is an Island and to Make It Clear they decide to build a Platform of people Wider in the sense of businesses spanning wider than them and occasionally they share Views, Interests, Ideas and roadmaps to Financial success.
A typical Conversation started for billionaires is "Hey, What Wristwatch is that, is that a custom made Patek Philippe?" What draws rich People together as luxury assets, like a Printing Press that prints for elite NewsPapers and Magazines, A Penthouse in Paris, Printing Millions of Euros yearly, a Stake or Shares in a top-flight European Club, A Vineyard and a Winery Producing Wine for Top Italian brands, an expensive clothing line, you name it.
Billionaires Network silently and strategically, they live well below their means and let the money do the talking.
When the Israeli Billionaire Lev Leviev Purchased a 70 Million dollar Mansion in London, People Were like "Who does he think he is?". He didn't shout he let his Money do the talking.
When a Billionaire goes for an event he has two reasons;
I. To Network.
II. To have and seek a break from tedious and long hours of work.
Some of the Supreme Powers of Networking include;
PRINCIPLES OF THE SUPREME POWERS OF NETWORKING
I. A HIGHER AND LARGER PLATFORM FOR POTENTIAL INVESTORS IN A BUSINESS
As far as the World is concerned technology and Investment Opportunities change everyday, failure to grasp them results in stagnancy and business failure.
The larger your network is the higher your value and networth will grow, When you have multiple investors success for friends, you have multiple Potential Investors.
Most Successful entrepreneurs today came up together, look and Bill Gates and his friend, Steeve Jobs and his friend, Larry Page and Sergey Brin and many More. How did they link up in the first place, networking.
Most Students in Nigerian Universities feel Smarts and talent is enough, but as a First-class Law Student, thought leader, ex-Parliamentarian and talented Writer, I tell you It is never enough. If you want to create wealth you must learn to network.
Asides LinkedIn, reach out to People, link up, get to know People. It literally starts with baby steps and then it goes higher.
II. CREATIVITY AND SUSTAINABLE WEALTH CREATION
Networking allows for a lot of creativity in a wealth creation Project. For Instance, I have two friends who are into a jewelry business. Both are creative minds and their back to back Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in my LAWSAN CHAPTER speaks for itself. When two People collaborate on a thing expect two dynamics;
* The Plain Idea by the owner
* The fire ideas and tweaks by the collaborator, Which brings out the exclusiveness in the brand.
Then when people network, Wealth is created because the wealth is not situated in the hands of a person but in the hands of multiple shareholders and stakeholders in form of stocks and shares and cash, in rare situations.
III. ACCESS TO INFORMATION IN VARIOUS INDUSTRIES.
Money will give you Power but Information will give you respect. When you network you get access to information from different Industries, thus when an investment opportunity comes you will grab it with both hands.
As Layi Wasabi once said “Info La Fin Fo”, meaning with the right information, you can fly and I am of the opinion that when you're well connected you'll eat from the right table and financially your life will be comfortable.
IV. ENDLESS OPPORTUNITIES
When you're in the right circle you get all the right and beneficial opportunities.
Referrals, Endorsements,
Recommendations, Right Advise, Investment Opportunities, Inside tips. e. t. c
V. SUPPORT DURING TOUGH TIMES.
A very noticeable fact about the very rich and successful is how they provide support systems for each other and assist each other in times of turbulence and business or personal distress.
A good Instance was where, Femi Otedola and Aliko Dangote's friendship stood out. When the Nigerian Federal Government due to regulatory issues did not license Dangote's refinery, Femi Otedola not only comforted him but stretched his neck out and even offered a $100 million dollar stake in the company.
According to Femi Otedola, "In business, friendship is the best asset.” So learn to make more friends than enemies, in the process space as it is an incredible asset.
VI. CRISIS MANAGEMENT.
Where there is a network, one is open to a lot of financial advises, safety nets and places to fall back on.
Others would advise you, protect you and some would basically give you blueprints to avoid those few moments before disaster.
VII. MOTIVATION & INSPIRATION
As ordinary individuals, we all require a muse, which is a source of inspiration and motivation.
My advise is to seek motivation from people above you and that's what the rich do. In a typical billionaire friend circle, the humblest one is the most successful because he is meek, diligent and willing to learn.
VIII. CONTINUING THE DYNASTY.
This is no secret as most billionaires inter-marry into each other's families through their children, this solidifies the dynasty, the business, the investments, the network, and protects the family wealth from "hungry" Predators.
HOW TO BUILD A SUSTAINABLE NETWORK AS A STUDENT OR A YOUNG PERSON
Below are five keys to build a successful and sustainable network as a young person;
• • DEVELOP YOURSELF
That's right, as simple as it sounds, its really difficult for a lot of young people. The truth no one wants to tell you is that nobody wants to associate with a valueless person. As far as this planet is concerned,
life is transactional, if you lack value you cannot create or generate it. To solve this problem, stop scrolling, read books to sharpen your mindset and vocabulary and learn how to comport and present yourself.
• • ATTEND EVENTS
Now this is a big one, you can never meet people out of your level in your comfort zone. Events and symposias give you access to four classes of people who are;
•• Those in your level trying to step up
•• Those a bit above you looking to expand and broaden their knowledge and networks.
•• Those who have gone far and are still hungry for more—The go getters
•• The big fishes.
Obviously a lot of you would want to aim for the big fishes but if you have no value you cannot approach them, so play the long game and start small.
I remember when I attended AUMNA '26 (Adeleke University Model United Nations Assembly). During that event I went with an open mind and the mentality that I've gone for big so I still want more. I connected and contributed intelligently, my policies, speaking and ability got people stunned and when it was time for me to be presented my certificate, the organizer was like "Wow... We have a big fish in our midst, Faculty of Law Senate President." At the end of that event both my placards were filled with signatures, notes of affirmation, affection and kisses and lipstick stains (P-S; I'm a ladies man 😉).
So; in essence go for events, you just never know.
• • NEVER BE SHY, SHYNESS REDUCES YOUR SHINING.
When I first met two of my biggest mentors Adeniji Favour Adejoju, Peter (AFAP) and (Lord) Olofin Gaius, they were awed and moved by my curiosity, zeal and drive. That made both great men take me under their wing and today I've tried both their shoes, last session I served as Senate President and currently I'm a Chamber Lord, thus the little boy has flipped the script and changed the narrative.
But what if I was shy, I would never have gone far, I would have just vanished like smoke, the shyer you are the less you would shine.
• • NETWORK INTENTIONALLY.
A lot of students have poorly developed LinkedIn profiles, generate and past AI-generated content and they wonder, why they never get opportunities. The reason is obvious, its because they saw networking as a chore instead of a full time job
Maturing is realizing that when you are not intentional with connecting, you can never go global or international. Way before I landed my role in Think Africa, I had known the CEO for about a year and guess how we met, LinkedIn.
Instead of having multiple connections without communication its better you don't have a LinkedIn account at all. That's why incase I need a favour I know who to go to.
• • POSITION & DISPLAY YOURSELF
Now this is an underrated one, once you position yourself in a strategic place, you have made yourself known unto many people that you are the best for the next role.
However in positioning yourself you must be diligent in your craft, even the Bible in Proverbs 22:29
"Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean (mere) men."
If you position yourself without the right skills, Omo, sorry is your case. Then also I've realized there's much talent in Africa but the problem is failure to discover it and a platform to display it and that's why we have platforms like Substance, Medium, ThinkAfrica and the likes so pick yourself up and get busy (bizzy 🐝)
CONCLUSION
This information is a valuable tool and asset, however it depends on what you do with it, it is a call to action and a call to order, let's change the narrative before it's too late.
Mayowa Akintola-Daniels · Adeleke University, Ede
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