Networking has advanced many careers, turned many ideas into viable businesses and helped many small business owners through the maize of challenges they face. It has made large and small sales, found positions in the perfect firm, resurrected careers and solved the problem of which doctor to use. Sounds like the panacea to all that ails us, but are you getting your share of the results?

If not are you really networking, or are you just showing up?

To answer this question and improve our own performance we will need to look at what networking is and what we want from it.

I have not found a better description than Anne Barber's & Lynne Waymon's, in their book, Make Your Contacts Count, 'The deliberate process of exchanging information, resources, support and access in such a way to create mutually beneficial relationships for personal and business success'.

Planning is the first step in improving your networking outcomes. The first question for your plan is 'What do I want?' If you know what you want you can make a list of what you require from a networking function. Do you want to meet other entrepreneurs, bank managers, small business owners or all of the above? Remembering 'mutually beneficial', the second question could be 'What do I have to give?'

Once you have a plan you will need to take action and that will include researching all of the networking functions in your area. When you have a list of functions, you can choose which functions meet the criteria you listed in your planning stage. Your list may include some of the following, but do not limit your choices. Think about your hobbies, your old school or any other association which holds your interest.
- The local Chamber of Commerce
- Your favourite sports club
- Any service organisations (Rotary, Lions, Apex etc)
- The local hospital fundraising group
- A charity group which you support
- A networking organisation (breakfast or lunch groups)
- A schools Parents & Friends group

Skills are an essential part of your arsenal to improve your chances of adding quality contacts to your networks. You could make a list of the areas in which you feel the need for improvement and then search for a networking group in which you will have the opportunity to practice your skills. Or search out all your favourite networking writers and read their articles and books.

When you throw a hand full of pebbles in a river or pool it will create many ripples, which join or connect with each other. Imagine for a moment that each stone is a thoughtfully nurtured member of your network and the ripples each member creates are their networks. The sharing and caring between networks means that all the networks are enlarged. The ripple effect created by you and the members or your networks recommending each other, will be beneficial to both you and your contacts.

Enjoy your next network function, add a new member or three to your network and remember to 'create mutually beneficial relationships'.

Learn more about this author, Sandra Earle-Russo.
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