Key to succeed, networking or knowledge?

Success in business used to depend a lot on “who you know”. With the anonymity of modern life, fueled by the internet, you might think that a personal network has become less important. This just isn’t true! I believe that the personal and professional network is more important than ever, and easier to build than ever before.
Thirty years ago, it was very difficult to meet new people, so your “network” (it wasn’t even called that!) included co-workers, neighbors, people from your place of worship, parents of your children’s friends, and your friends from high school or college. If you were lucky and outgoing, you could have several dozen associates and several close friends. If you were shy and avoided meeting new people, you might only know a couple dozen people and have one or two close friends.
With the internet and social networking sites, you only have to lift a few fingers (or use your mouse hand) to “send a friend request”, “add someone to your network”, or “leave a comment”. It makes it easier than ever to stay in touch with people you met decades ago, all the way back to elementary school. On a professional networking site as anphabe, you can meet people from all over the world by participating in discussions and providing your own insight into their problems.