NETWORKING IS THE BEST BUSINESS

?Within the past year, networking has become my number one business priority. I would even venture to say that if you were to create a pie chart of all my time spent on business activities, the network becomes the single largest slice.

There are several reasons why:

1) Networking requires no start-up capital.

???This is true whether your preferred networking activity is meeting new people or inviting existing contacts out for coffee or lunch.?You can do it anytime and anywhere with little to no cost. Meeting new people does have some cost associated with it though, so be sure you're being strategic in whom you meet and how often you meet them (more on this later).???????could also consider these expenses as return on investment (ROI) as you will likely make up the cost of your networking activities with referrals and business deals.

2) Networking can be done during "downtime".

???Even if you're not at work, there are still opportunities for you to meet people who can help your career: trade shows, conferences, classes, etc., which take place on weekdays and weekends alike.??You don't need to wait for Monday or Friday evening; every moment you spend connecting with people is a good time spent.???Furthermore since these activities typically happen in person they're very efficient ways to network as well because getting together usually takes less than an hour and may yield many hours worth of value back from those contacts over the months and years to come.

3) Networking is scalable and transferable.

???You don't need to be the center of attention during networking activities; you can remain on the sidelines and still get value from people that approach you (and vice versa, of course).??Furthermore your ability to create value for others through your network will increase with time and practice (and by observing other people who do it well!).?

4) There are many ways to network, which means there is a solution for everyone's preferences and ability to make the time commitment required.

???This might be why it has been called "the networking event of networking events".?Here's just a few ideas:

-building professional relationships through formal events such as roundtable discussions, TEDx talks, and conferences;

-creating business value through personal connections at chamber of commerce activities or other trade groups;

-networking over dinner meetings or even breakfast meetings (this is what I do);

???I know people who have made friends and business contacts at their children's sports games!???All of these activities put people in a social mood, which is the perfect scenario for business.

5) Networking is a process and it can be a learning process, too.

???The purpose of networking isn't to get referrals or new clients right away- though that may be a residual benefit.?The true value in networking comes from the lessons you learn about yourself through this process including:

-the ability to connect with others;

-how much time you're willing to invest in developing relationships;

-building your own confidence when meeting new people;

???These are skills that will remain with you forever.?In fact they can help you even outside of business because at their core they reflect what I call your circle of influence .?As you continue to build relationships with others your circle of influence grows and this leads to more opportunities for business and life.

6) Networking is for everyone; it's not just for extroverts.

???There are plenty of introverted yet successful people who prove that the best networking is done by being genuine, building one-on-one relationships, and following up on those relationships over time.?Those are the most important lessons I have learned myself, which brings me to my next point.

7) Networking isn't about selling yourself or making a sale right away- it's about building long term value.

???The easiest way to talk yourself out of building relationships is to think you have nothing to offer others.?Don't fall into this trap- everyone has something valuable to share!?Whether your contribution is as simple as an introduction or as complex as specialized consulting, you'll never know until you start giving away small pieces of what makes up the whole of who you are and what you do.

8) If networking were a pill we'd all take it daily and there would be no more physician referrals, client introductions, and business cards exchanging hands than necessary because we'd simply ask first!

???In summary, I see three main benefits from networking:

-building relationships for mutual self-interest;

???The idea here is that by helping others achieve their goals you will get more of what you want, too.?It's essentially a win-win situation for all parties involved.

-building your confidence;

-developing better relationships with colleagues and clients within your industry or profession.

???These are the things that motivate me to build my own relationships with others every day because I know the networking track record for practice growth is clear.?I can't think of any other way I would rather spend my time!