Key to succeed, networking or knowledge?

Key to Success: Networking or Knowledge ?It’s who you know or what you know, which do you believe is more important and why?
Adrew - Steel King of America said that to succeed in work, relationships accounted for 85%, 15% is knowledge.
At first thought, I have to say hands down… it’s who you know. I have to admit that more times than not, I’ll contract with this third party vendor because a colleague and friend of mine uses them. Or I’ll interview this applicant because a colleague and friend recommends him. Or, I’ll vote for this candidate because she is endorsed by my colleagues and friends. I got my job at USSH because of a recommendation from one dean to another. For me, I see that it is very hard to succeed if you have only good knowledge, but not established for themselves a good networking. The people you meet along the way will help you learn what you need to know.To succeed you must continually connect with new people, cultivate emerging relationships and leverage your network. I believe who you know is more important than what you know. Building and nurturing relationships is key to our success in life and in our careers.

it depends on which job you are doing. in general, you must have both knowledge and networking to succeed.

@ Thanh Nguyen: I enjoyed your three questions to assess the relationships. After watching the three questions I am somewhat shocked, in fact there were few people at his side in the situation you mentioned, mostly courtesy. I remember a sentence: 'million acquaintances, little close. " (not exactly :-)

For myself, I always see the relationship as important. The relationship is the first step to get you the job, get a contract. But then you have to demonstrate competence in knowledge and skills.

Busy work, I have no time making friends, socializing with people. That's why I participate in several quality forums as anphabe. I like the slogan of the forum, sharing to connect successfully. Here I can meet many people. At first, they can help quickly troubleshoot my situation . And if the relationship better, there may be offline sessions. Actually I found very useful.

This is my favourite video about 8 key words to success by Richard St. John.
Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6bbMQXQ180

You need both.

It is true you can learn from networking and develop a base of knowledge. But then again, how many people have you met that want to network but provide no knowledge - or at least very little. So networking is good and allows us to share ideas and knowledge, connections and opportunities.

But we also have to develop skills and knowledge that may be more focused. Reading books - Brian Tracey's and all different books too. You want to network to develop further and want to be a source of knowledge so people will want to network with you.

So my thought is networking should be on your agenda but also plan to develop your skills and knowledge also.