On my radio show Sunday evening, Matt Crevin- the voice of the 49er's (for non-football fans - that's the San Francisco professional football team) - made several references to the importance of building your networth through your network.  He's right.  The challenge, though, is that it takes time to build a network and you must stay in touch with your contacts.

Here are two real-life examples from my wonderful file of war stories.

#1)  A client  (Jack) had relocated to a new area and been very unsuccessful in finding a job "his" way.  He contacted me; I helped him identify companies in this geographical area who would benefit from his expertise and send them a referral email.  Now the fun begins.  When he called to follow-up with one of the companies  - they were eager to see him.  He met with them and discovered they were starting a new company and he has a chance to help them accomplish this goal.

#2)  A client (Bob) stopped in to see an old college pal.  The pal introduced him to some new people.  They liked Bob, so they introduced him to their boss.  He hired him.

#3)  A client (Joe) read an interview with a CEO in the paper and realized he had much in common with him.  He wrote a letter, he got an interview and the rest, as they say, is history.

For many young people today, they frequently give push-back to the word networking.  Yet, when you read stories in the business section, or sports section, of the newspaper, you learn that more often than not people get where they are because not only #1) they could do the job; but #2 - more importantly, they built a strong network and that network led them from job-to-job-to-job.

So - - there is a definite connection between network and net worth - - - but it sure doesn't happen overnight.

Listen to Matt & I discuss careers in sports:  http://wbtm.info/audio/btm/Ice-MattCrevin.mp3