Network Adds to your Net Worth

February 12, 2024

Happy Monday everyone! There is lots going on in the Cleveland Product scene, so let’s get to it!

Article of the Week

Things are tough out there. I know many people have been affected by layoffs or reductions in force. There are many contributing factors, but we won’t get into that here. Let’s focus on the one thing that we can control.

Improving our networks.

I started the Cleveland Product networking group in 2017 to learn about Product and share stories with my local Cleveland Product professionals. But another reason was to strengthen my network and meet new people.

I recently read an article on Forbes about how to create a strong network, and the article does a nice job of detailing how and why. Here are the three things that resonated with me:

  1. You aren’t proactive - You shouldn’t wait to network until you need it. Waiting to build or tap into your network will put too much pressure on yourself and make you appear desperate. Be proactive in creating your network because there are many benefits to a network - learning, making friends, strengthening relationships - not just getting a new job or making more money.

  2. Start with your career goal - What do you want to achieve in the next 6 months? In the next year, 3 years, or 5 years? Identify your strengths, interests, and areas of improvement, and then target those you can learn from. It also helps you interview and refine your elevator pitch.

  3. Build mutually beneficial relationships - While it is important to identify those people that you can learn from and help you improve in certain areas, you need to build relationships that are beneficial to both parties. Bring value to those that you meet and you will see exponential benefits.

The benefits to a strong network are many, and it’s still early in 2024, so make a commitment to improve your network. Hope to see you out there!

Product Jobs of the Week

The Product roles at Cleveland companies keep rolling in!

Upcoming Events

  • February 13th - Product Management in Practice - A Conversation with Matt LeMay

  • February 20th - Product Lean Coffee - Roadmapping @ Sweet P’s Cafe and Bakery

  • March 13th - Oblique Leadership: The Counterculture Leadership Style for Complex Environments

  • March 20th - Product Lean Coffee - Product Discovery @ Van Aken Market Hall

About the Author

My name is Shawn Leitner. I started the Cleveland Product networking group in 2017, which helps to connect Product professionals around Cleveland, providing them with a forum to network, learn, and share stories. For my day job, I'm a Product Consultant & Coach for Pathfinder Product and help clients implement strong Product practices so they can create products that their teams love building and their customers love using. Connect with me on LinkedIn or feel free to attend one of my events either virtually or in-person. Always up for meeting for a cup of coffee also!