We often hear many people reply to us stating, "I don't need to add more people to my network," "I'm doing just fine with the people in my network," "networking truly doesn't work," "our business has enough customers," and the final one, "networking is a waste of time."

Our response is:

Think of ALL the things you do each day, each week, each month. Now, think of all the things you would like to do today, next week, next month, and next year.

How many of the things you do and would like to do involve interaction with another person or persons? How many of those activities occur without the interaction of another person or persons?

Most of our activities involve or indirectly involve the interaction with another person or persons.

• A person cannot function well in a society without the interaction of another person or persons.
• Commerce doesn't happen without people buying or selling things.
• A business cannot run itself.
• A government cannot exist where there are no people to govern.

Basically, we must interact with other people.

We most often interact with people via a network. A network is usually an informally interconnected group or association of persons.

Networking is engaging in an informally interconnected group or association of persons.

How well you engage in your network(s) will determine how much you'll benefit from your network(s).

The basic activities of networking:

• Communication
• Information Sharing
• Relationship Building
• Helping each other
• Friendships
• Accountability
• Referrals

The advanced activities of networking:

• Personal Growth
• Career Growth
• Problem Solving
• Master connecting; creating synergy

What networking is not:

• Collecting business cards without executing the basics activities of networking.
• Distributing business cards without executing the basics activities of networking.
• Trying to impress others.
• Engaging with others only when you are in need.
• Infrequently executing the basic activities of networking.

Identify your networks. Ponder how you interact within your networks. Think how often and how well you engage in your networks. Are you truly networking?

© 2008 nPower Consulting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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