The magic number which only networking pros know
The way we network may have changed dramatically this year but the principles of great networking haven’t. ONLE’s James West and Sarah Phillips of Octima share networking's magic number and how to use it to grow your business.
You may have spotted that we’ve decided to turn the networking model on its head. By permanently moving our meetings online, supported by face-to-face events when possible (ONLE Experiences - coming soon!), we’ve planted our stake firmly in the ground. Online networking is immune from ongoing physical meeting restrictions, plus it massively extends our potential reach. We believe that leading with online networking, supported by face-to-face events, gives us the best of both worlds.
And the evidence shows that many people feel the same as we do. Our membership is growing – faster than at any point in the life of ONLE. With 200+ members across the UK and even further afield, we have now passed the magic number - The Dunbar number.
Networking’s Magic Number
British Anthropologist, Robin Dunbar supposed that our maximum capacity for cohesive, meaningful relationships is 150. That means 150 people with whom we can maintain a stable social relationship. Whilst this theory was originally applied to enclosed social groups (tribes, villages, etc.) where everyone knows everyone, this could also be applied more loosely - across our entire personal network.
As Dunbar’s theory goes, we have several ‘circles’ corresponding to the depth of our relationships:
5 – those closest to us, our loved ones.
15 – great friends.
50 – friends.
150 – meaningful connections. (The magic number)
500 – acquaintances.
1500 – recognisable contacts.
In a digital world where distance has become somewhat irrelevant, does this still hold true? Many experts say YES. While technology may be expanding our horizons, our mental capacity can only be stretched so far. At the age of 73, having seen the rapid evolution of digital communication for himself, Robin Dunbar still stands by the magic number.
So, in a world where the average CEO has 930 LinkedIn connections and you can join a networking call than spans many borders and time zones, how can we make sure we get the most out of networks?
The key is diversity
Here’s another theory to consider – six degrees of separation. We’ve all heard this one, the notion that any two people are no more than six connections apart. As highly unlikely as it would be, let’s imagine none of your 150 meaningful connections knew each other. That means every one of those people could connect you to 150 more people. That’s already 22,500 people with whom you have a mutual connection. Take that to six degrees and your potential network is greater than the global population.
In reality, we share large numbers of mutual connections with those we know, some more than others. That’s why having a diverse network is so important. By networking online, we are able to network further afield and develop more unique connections, with more diverse networks of their own for us to tap into.