When innovators, or any business professional for that matter, lacks a sufficient network of colleagues, customers, vendors, advisors, employees, and collaborators it's virtually impossible to forward the innovation and growth agenda.

In my work with corporate innovation teams for over 20 years I've noticed this is one of, if not the biggest, challenge for intrapreneurs. The greatest ideas in the world need a network of help to executive but most senior innovation leaders neglect the practice of building a powerful and effective network of help BEFORE they need it. And this is the key point ... the network of help needs to be built and in place before it's not needed, not as it's needed.

But how does one produce a network of help? What are the features of this network and how does it get activated?

The value of the marketplace is brought forth through transacting with money and offers, not currency. Currency is simply the byproduct of the transactions but valuable offers precede the currency. Wait, what? Yes, an offer is a conditional promised that two parties must agree to ahead of time. That money could be help in the form of advice, support, an assessment, research - virtually anything can be monetized.

Networks of help are built on the exchange of offers, practices, support, etc. through the sharing of help. Any help really.

When you're looking to build a network of help first ask yourself what do you have to offer than can be of value to someone who needs it, and then make a request in return.

Ensure your innovation and growth agenda advances and is successful by first building a network of help.