Nairobi

It's not what you know, it's who you know. Accurate?

Watched Shark tank yesterday, and one entrepreneur said he needed the sharks' help because "it's not what you know, it's who you know." One of the sharks, Robert, said he disagreed with that quote because when he started, he didn't have connections but still made it. He goes on to say, "it's what you make of what you have."

I understand Robert's point but also totally disagree. Yes, you can succeed without connections, but connections will help you reach your goal way faster. I know too many dumbasses that are where they are because of their connections.

What do y'all think?

Is that quote accurate?

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36 comments

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Fenderbaum

Politicker

Retired Choirboy🪕

Or who you blow...

antiASKHOLE

Tycoon

Bravado's Resident Asshole

Depending on the industry, yeah for sure. Many escorts.. I mean sales people in nevada have had the honor of getting to know some of the top execs and sport stars in order to get their big break.

Nairobi

Politicker

LMAO

DungeonsNDemos

Big Shot

Rolling 20's all day

I'll never rise to the top now :(

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

I commented with that on a similar thread a few weeks back.

AutoSmiler

Arsonist

Account Executive

*wipes corner of mouth..."They decided to go in different direction because the results won't justify the cost"

SaaSsy

Politicker

Thank you for this today! Came to the comments to see some inspired responses and you did not disappoint.

TennisandSales

Politicker

Head Of Sales

i understand why Robert would say that especially when it comes to starting a business.

Ive also thought its not even who do YOU know, but more of who knows YOU.

one of the biggest breaks Ive had in my career was when I got into ENT sales just a few years ago.

It only happened because a former coworker, had started a new role as a manager at a large company and needed to hires sales ppl. He knew me, knew how I worked and gave me a call.

Nairobi

Politicker

Totally agree. I just put people that know you in the same category as people you know.

TennisandSales

Politicker

Head Of Sales

yep makes total sense.

BourbonKing

Valued Contributor

VP of Sales

Can you succeed with no connections or influence, like Robert did when starting out? Yes. But there's no doubt it's much harder and the success rate is much lower. Powerful, well-connected allies and engaged mentors can help a mediocre person rise to the top...whereas a smart, scrappy individual will have a much harder time getting to the top on their own.

Nairobi

Politicker

Amen!

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

Sales Rep

Your network is super important. Think of it with applying to new roles. You can have the perfect resume, but it might get lost with the 100s of applicants. Then someone with a good background gets it because they got referred.

Nairobi

Politicker

Networking is super super important. That's how I got my new job, and I know many people that got interviews because they were referred by someone they knew

antiASKHOLE

Tycoon

Bravado's Resident Asshole

While networking is important and connections do matter... The Shark tank dude was right, it's about the action behind what you know and who you know. I can give you a book or recipe that cures X, if you just let it sit there, then it's not valuable.

ACTION is what matters.

heatmiser

Good Citizen

Key Account Manager

Action does matter. Even if you got to the right people you still
Have to execute. But why do you think people are approaching the Sharks to begin with. Sure they have money but they also have connections to help. Meaning who do they know.

Nairobi

Politicker

Obviously, action is important. But how Robert was saying it is that connections don't really matter which is what I disagree with.

coletrain

Politicker

Account Executive

Absolutely who you know and who knows you is a major factor in your advancement.

In multiple job searches, a CEO that I have worked under has come up as a positive topic of discussion. The network effect through primary and secondary connections is strong.

SADNESSLieutenant

Politicker

Officer of ♥️

connections can only get you so far if what you're selling is ass. That being said connections can accelerate how fast you get to where you are going if what you got is it.

Nairobi

Politicker

I agree with you, but in some cases, connections can get you very far even if you are selling shit. Like that FTX guy and Elizabeth Holmes, both scams, but they had the connections. Now they are paying the price, but they still got very far

ChumpChange

Politicker

Channel Manager

I can attest to this. My brother has launched a stealth start-up and the benefactor that's bankrolling the company has some seriously deep pockets. The sheer amount of "door greasing" that a name and reputation can bring is jaw-dropping. To your point... it's not needed but it is a force multiplier if it's accessible.

Nairobi

Politicker

Exactly, having connections will help you accelerate things

LordOfWar

Tycoon

Blow it up

It is accurate unless you know that you lack connections and then correct that by networking. Boom, paradox.

Diablo

Politicker

Sr. AE

I don’t think the statement was incorrect but the timing was.

I also feel it shows that person is highly dependent on others to make his business a giant.

DungeonsNDemos

Big Shot

Rolling 20's all day

Control what you can and the rest is often luck!

Nairobi

Politicker

Yep, luck is a big factor too!

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

You work your way into your connections.

Yes, many people start on second or third base, and life isn't fair. Also, if you spend your time worrying about the advantages others have had, that's a waste of time IMO.

But that shouldn't keep anybody from pursuing what they want, and doing their best to make things happen.

Nairobi

Politicker

Yep, just accept life isn't fair and move on.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

I said know because my true answer is "ish." I agree with Robert a lot. You stay in the industry longer and become reputable by backing up what you say and making things happen on your own. The connections you make along the way are bonuses.

jefe

Arsonist

🍁

Who you know makes an undeniable difference in the opportunities that present themselves.

It's not everything but it's a big fucking help

sketchysales

Politicker

Sales Manager

Bit of both i reckon. Though more who you know than what you know.

NoSuperhero

Politicker

BDR LEAD

KInda? I mean sometimes it certainly works like that, specially in show biz, however for other things it definitely doesn't work like that.

Nairobi

Politicker

What would say are the other things that doesn't work like that?

WhoDey

Opinionated

VP of Sales

Sadly, yes.

Mendizo

Opinionated

Sr. Director

I would say both.

Who you know will get you an intro or in the door. Many sales team members I know were hired without an interview because they had their reputation, and were recruited as opportunities came up.

However, what you know quickly will become evident, and goes to building your rep... the same rep that will help you know more people and get in the door in more places.

Network all you can, but also deliver all you can.

CadenceCombat

Tycoon

Account Executive

Both play into it

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Nairobi

It's not what you know, it's who you know. Accurate?

Is that quote accurate?

36 comments

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