Networking Equals Giving

Networking is NOT about meeting someone and selling them something, it is all about giving.

Remember when you were a kid and you were told is it better to give than to receive? Well the same is true with networking.

We have all been at a networking event and met someone who only wants to talk about themselves. Their communication is truly one way....Me, me, me. They corner you and will tell you all about themselves and their business and never once asking about you or what you do. And when you finally get away from them, they are the first ones to follow-up with a phone call or email. Eek! These people are "takers" and have forgotten that networking is a two-way street. They missed the chapter that tells them how networking is the selfless art of facilitating introductions to help others. Yes, networking is all about giving, and not always about receiving. However, there is a lot to be gained in the process of networking. By helping others connect, you contribute to a world of common circles that can go in many new connections. In addition, you might just be surprised how your generosity turns into successful leads for yourself. Think of this process as "networking karma." For those who continue to wear "networking blinders," only thinking of how others can help them, they are missing many, many opportunities beyond their immediate sphere of influence. So, at your next networking event, keep in mind what you learned long ago about giving and receiving as you meet others, and watch how your connections grow.

It's All About the Little Things

Business networking is all about the little things. It takes more than having a onetime meeting, exchanging business cards and to leave then. It is all about building long term, enduring and strong relations with your referrals. Long term relationships demand long term planning and trustworthiness.

So give time to relations and build trust first of all. Even if you cannot do big things for each other, small action can generate big results. Little things are very important in our lives. A little smile that we can put on someone’s face may brighten his day. Even something as simple as a followup note or email. A greeting card on someone’s success may make him smile and happy for the whole day. So never try to get the fruits of networking in some days. It takes several years to build trust in relations, but just a moment to break it.

Experts in business networking visualize the networking process as a series of small steps and efforts. Small efforts can lead to big trustworthy relations in future. Big steps at the initial stage of business may be harmful in future. The expectations you might have from other person may not be fulfilled. The best approach and philosophy is to take time and develop strong relations over time. Help each other in simple but effective ways on the course of this journey. Little things can add big happiness to others life and hence strength to your relations. Throughout this journey, you form links and associations with others and help each other in little ways. But no doubt, little things have the potential to generate big outcomes over the long run.

Each referral, each little step to help each other and each joint effort serves as a big support for the growing business and its success.

What networking is not

I was at a networking function recently and was remind of the funny things people do when at a networking event. These are just my observations of what NOT to do when networking.

• NOT a place to find a date. Save that for the dating circles.


• NOT a place to come and plant yourself at the buffet table for a food free for all.


• NOT a place to grip even to your closest friends.

Remember that networking is about relationships, not events. Networking is not usually stressful if you are focusing on building relationships and having fun. If you want to build mutually beneficial relationships that will help your career and your company, just be yourself and look for ways to help everyone that you meet.