A very interesting chart was published in this week’s Business Week magazine (March 8, 2010) diagramming how ex-Google employees are helping to finance a whole new generation of startups.

What made it doubly interesting (to me, anyway) is what it says about networking:

1. What we talk about with the people we ‘interact’ with (our “contacts”) is one thing, but what we talk about with the people we ‘connect’ with (our “connections”) is usually far more meaningful, engaging, and productive.
2. It’s easier to ‘connect’ with someone when we know what they’re up to — after all, that’s where their focus and attention already is!

So I’m making a diagram of my own – one that looks at the things my contacts are focusing on.

And you know what? I’ve already started noticing some interesting patterns and areas of overlap that weren’t apparent to me before. I’ve also noticed that my conversations with them are feeling far more meaningful, engaging, and productive, too.

Now how about THAT?!

Related posts:

1. Why Make Work Meaningful?
2. On Being Fully Present
3. Clean Hands Clear Conscience
4. What Job Would Make You Happy?