Chapter 4 Investing in Research
One of the most important aspects of developing a successful refer network is knowledge. Knowledge is gained through education and experience. Since experience is something that develops personally over time, the only immediate source of knowledge is through research.
Research
can be either personal or collaborative. Personal research is when you decide
to study up about an issue, the collaborative is when you work together with
another person in developing an idea or process together.
Research
is used for a number of reasons, and they include:
Professional Education
The
purpose of professional education is to enrich our own knowledge base, raise
our professional capabilities and enable us to evolve with the market. It is
the core of our capabilities, and we must constantly learn in order to stay
reliable and meaningful to future clients.
Background Checking
The
Purpose of background checking is to understand the nature and integrity of our
clients. Giving us key insights into what they do, how they do it, the scope
and range of their market, and the key players. There are professional service
providers that can provide interesting insights, but at a cost. Only use them
if the contract you are aiming for is extremely lucrative, where investing in
the client's background will help win them over.
Intelligence Updates
These
are methods used to glean information that is usually hidden from public eyes.
This does not mean industrial espionage; it refers to the data we can glean
from various legal methods, such as discussions with company employees we meet
at a social function, a conference or in a forum.
Personal Education
Personal
education is about gaining knowledge in subjects outside of our professional
sphere. These can be either hobbies, professions, or just updates in areas that
interest those around us but we personally are not interested in, such as a one
person’s love of Golf or Cooking, and another’s of space exploration and
yachting.
The
sources of information vary and include:
Digital Resources:
Social Media
These
include all the various social media sites and are used to pick up internet
gossip and the occasional insight into a person or a company. They are not
meant to be used as a factual source, only as a reference for factual
information. Backing up what is being published as well as providing the
digital gossip and word of mouth. These include such pages as Linkedin, Reddit,
Facebook, and YouTube.
News Sites
These
are expected to be real and reliable sources of information. They provide news
on every subject possible, and there are a lot of sites. It is important to
create a category of main sites, supported by focused sites. Like using CNN or
the BBC as the main source and then backing it up with Linkedin or personal web
pages.
Web Pages
These
include personal, professional, academic, and commercial pages. Google as a
search engine is also considered a source, as it acts as a filter to point the
seeker to the different pages and also provides filtered images, videos, and
news for all search issues.
Forums
These
are usually professional meeting grounds where like-minded people will discuss
an issue. In some instances, it can be highly professional and in others can be
littered with subscribers interested in the subject but totally ignorant of the
science behind it. Become a member of a few leading forums, do not overstretch
yourself.
Blogs
These
are usually personal pages updated by individuals and companies. They are not
to be considered reliable sources since they are bias based, either
representing a personal opinion or commercial marketing content.
Live Sources:
Professional Institutions
Most
professions have institutions and organizations that concentrate knowledge on a
variety of the professions subjects. Being involved in activities is a great
way to meet like-minded professionals and keeps the members at the forefront of
global developments
Conferences and Shows
Another
professional association activity is either a focused conference or a sectoral
show. Conferences call for an academic approach and are set up to exchange
professional information. Shows are set up for competing companies and emerging
startups to market their developments, create partnerships and raise commercial
as well as public interest.
Universities and Libraries
All
professions are based on an academic source, and all academic sources rely on
libraries. While most libraries are now digital, leading books are still
printed. The university is also a great place to meet new minds as well as
experienced ones.
Social Events
Weddings,
Funerals and every other kind of social event is a great referral ground to
also glean information about people or companies through “inside” insights as
well as from gossip.
Word of mouth/Gossip
Your
local pub, bar, grocery shop, hotel and even conference. Word of mouth and
gossip are great ways to get unreliable information that can be confirmed by
reliable sources. Word of mouth is like social media, sensational and 99%
fiction, 1% fact.
Research: The comprehensive approach
The
importance of integrating all sources of information is key to enjoying true
knowledge. Networking is only as good as the continuity of its performance,
which means you need to constantly be involved in research.
The
six tips for successful research are:
1. Create
a comprehensive research plan, utilizing all sources
2. Set
times for every kind of research every day
3. Do
not rely on only one source, always try to back up information
4. Don’t
let anyone know how much you truly know
5. Listen,
Listen, and Listen. If you want to learn, then listen. If you talk, then you
are not listening and not learning.
6. Do
not presume anything
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