Everyone must know who is important for them and their goals and must then decide how far they should expand their network. Basically, everyone is surrounded by certain groups of people who are more or less important for their professional success.

1. The close circle includes the people who you cannot do without at present and also those who will soon become very important. You should completely cover the close circle if possible.
2. The second circle includes important people and groups that it is advantageous but not absolutely necessary to be in close contact with. You should largely cover the second circle.
3. The third circle includes people with whom you have no direct professional points of contact but who could be useful. The trick is to use your instinct and recognize the people who are most relevant for the present and for the future. You should cover the third circle selectively.
   

Initially, you can ignore people outside these circles, although you should remember that there is constant movement in the groups of people surrounding you. Some people will disappear completely over time, others will join the groups and other people will change within the groups. For example, a person from the third circle could, under certain circumstances, be part of the close circle within a few months.

Author

Stéphane Etrillard Management Institute SECS Schloss Elbroich - Am Falder 4 D-40589 Düsseldorf http://www.etrillard.com/