It's not what you know, it's who you know

Like any other business owner, I'm always thinking about what it takes to be successful at what I do. In that vein, I'm rapidly coming to the conclusion that 'who you know' really is the key to success (whatever your endevour), and that the people you hang out with will largely determine whether you're going to be successful or not - at least in most things.
If you want to be a good cyclist, hang out with good cyclists - they'll teach you, motivate you and push your limits. If you want a promotion, choose carefully when it comes to those you hang out with at the water-cooler.
If you hang out with people who have no money, it's likely you also will have no money.
Ever noticed how many rock stars's kids go on to celebrity success. It's not because they're the most talented - although they certainly have that - it's mostly to do with the circles in which they move.
The movie 'The Pursuit of Happyness" is a great example. Played by Will Smith, the film tells the true story of Chris Gardner, a struggling salesman and father totally dedicated to his son, who takes the chance to try for a stockbroker internship position at Dean Witter. He experiences homelessness with his son, trouble with the taxman and other challenges.
At one stage he manages to get himself into the corporate box of a wealthy CEO at a football game, with the intention of securing the man's business. During the game the man tells him bluntly not to bother, but to instead sit back and enjoy the game.
What happened in the box though, was the ticket... because the other people he met in that corporate box liked him and ultimately became the clients who helped him secure that internship.
They told him: "Call me". But he didn't at first because he was so disappointed at losing the CEO's business. But they were also wealthy people and eventually he did call a couple and they had the wealth, influence and connections to recommend him to other, equally successful people.
But it's not easy, far from it. You need to be able to hold your own with those people at that level, be personable and draw on every social skill in the book, not to mention creativity, tenacity, grit, ambition - the price is high!
So while the secret to success isn't so secret, it's not so easy either.
I guess this is what this blog is about - extending your personal "circle" of influence; how to do it, networking, the price, motivations, ideas, questions... I call it The Silver Spoon Effect for obvious reasons.