It doesn’t matter what the stage of your career, You need a network of people you can call on for advice or to bounce ideas off. It’s the best investment you could ever make. I know

In June 1989, a few days shy of my 24th birthday, I walked into The Star newspaper to begin what turned out to be a very fulfilling career in financial journalism. By chance, I sat next to Ann Crotty, who was already one of the most highly rated financial journalists in South Africa. Sitting beside her would prove most beneficial to my new career trajectory. I had no financial journalism experience when I joined The Star. Had you asked me about the P:E (price:earnings) ratio, I would have guessed it had to do with a calculation of the wind speeds in Port Elizabeth!

My only exposure to business had been two-and-a-half years of writing about black business, whose mainstay at the time was the minibus taxi industry, shopkeepers, a sprinkling of small-scale manufacturers and hawkers. That was my entry ticket to the newspaper’s business pages.Nevertheless, I compensated with a hunger to learn about the workings of corporate South Africa. I’d lean across my desk and pepper Ann with questions about this or that company. Besides introducing me to her corporate contacts, as well as analysts in the stockbroking fraternity, she guided me through the maze of financial accounts. She was a rich and unfailing source of invaluable information no textbook could ever have taught me.

From her, I learnt the value of reading annual reports: not so much the chairman’s waffle at the beginning, but the notes to the financial statements at the back, where the beancounters attempt to conceal some nuggets about the company’s performance.The second boost to my career came 10 years ago, when I joined the Financial Mail, initially as a columnist. There I met Caroline Southey, who had come to the publication after 17 years with the Financial Times in London and Brussels. Among her other duties, she edited my column.At first she came across as irritating, asking me to clarify this or that. “What do you mean here?” she’d ask. Her favourite phrase was (and still is): “Great column, but…” and she’d point out the weaknesses and – most importantly – how to fix them.

As soon as my thick Zulu skull had softened a bit, working with Caroline would prove to be one of the most fulfilling and challenging aspects of my tenure with FM. Over the years – even when our career paths diverged – I’ve continued to draw on her experience and wisdom.

The point of all this is that what matters in your career isn’t so much what you know, but who you know and how much you’re prepared to learn. Wherever you are, there are people willing to help. They may not necessarily be in the same department as you. Find them.