Networking is not just about exchanging business cards, its relationship building.

It goes through a model I call CCC.

1) Make the contact

2) Establish a connection not sealed by money but based on vision and values.

3) Contracts then follow. You don't chase, it flows to you based on your connections.

It’s not just about meeting new people, sharing business cards and hoping one of those business cards will lead to a new opportunity. Instead, networking should really be called “relationship building, ” or getting to know someone and finding shared interests. Once you have common interest then opportunities will flow to either party. As reported by LinkedIn, 68 % of opportunities are landed via personal connections and referrals.

Networking is relationship based, not transaction based. Coming home with a huge stack of business cards after a networking event doesn’t do much to building a network of value. The real value comes when you have developed a deeper relationship and built trust. This means that your interactions should be genuine and warm.

Pay it forward Many of us can point to a friend, colleague, reference, or mentor who put in a good word for us professionally and helped us advance our career in one way or another. Knowing how important this piece is to professional growth and development, don’t you think you should give back? As the wise Kevin Spacey once said, “ If you’re lucky enough to do well, it’s your responsibility to send the elevator back down.”