The importance of Community
February 5, 2016
It’s so true, you never really think that much about community and the network you surround yourself with until it really matters. Anyone who knows me knows how much I value personal and business relationships. I network as best I can but I’m not omnipresent at networking events. But I do think it’s important to surround yourself with people with whom you have common goals, build relationships, use the resources available within your network, don’t be afraid to ask for help but be prepared to give back.
For the past few weeks, the importance of community has really been on my mind. We’ve seen how some communities have experienced the affects of flooding and the devastation, heartbreak and huge financial consequences it brings. Living in South Galway, at best our road network was altered. Secondary roads were impassable, diversions in place on the main road and as Theresa Mannion advocated we didn’t take “unnecessary journeys”. Whether your house/farm was under threat or your access by road was affected it has unfortunately been a common story in recent weeks. And yet, what emerged was a deep sense of helping within the community. Trenches were dug, pumps manned in shifts day and night, bags of sand filled, farmers provided their tractors with transport boxes, and defence forces stepped in to transport people to and from their homes. It has been so evident that when the going got tough, the community sprang into action. This same community has experienced some recent tragic bereavements, the loss of young lives, indescribable grief and what did the community do? They provided food, shuttle buses to take mourners through flooded roads to offer condolences and attend funerals, countless volunteers directing traffic, schools, villages and the local business community all got together to do their best to support those affected. Nobody asked for help, it just appeared.
Working within a startup entrepreneurial community I see every day the importance of network. Knowing those who work around you, having someone to ask for help, accessing mentors and influencers who help drive decisions, finding opportunities for funding, sales and keeping the show on the road while growing a burgeoning business. It’s not all niceties. Sometimes tough decisions are made, home truths are told, personalities clash, that’s what happens within communities, but when the cards are on the table, they’re there! Networking and finding your space within a community takes time, trust and credibility and certainly doesn’t deliver instant gratification. However it delivers immeasurable return on investment, both financially and in non-monetary terms. The focus should be on substance rather than style. In my view it’s better to deliver high quality support and linkages infrequently and build concrete relationships than the reverse. Over time it comes so naturally it’s like explaining why we need to drink, eat and draw breath. Being part of a strong community can provide friendship, opportunity, enterprise development and funding support and a positive influence on growing and starting a business and in time, when you need help, it just appears!
Gert O’Rourke