Business networking has been a core part of all types of businesses and with the introduction of internet business in its various types and forms; it is almost inevitable for any person doing any kind of business not to become a networker.

First of all, we would like to know, what business networking is all about. Business networking is the establishing of relationship with other business people, and potential customers and clients. This relationship has to be mutually beneficial for business networking to work. It is a way of pulling your connections, both personal and business in order to have steady supply of new businesses. It is all about relationship building.

Business networking is not an easy venture because you have to be focused; you have to take a meaningful step each day to ensure that your networking is making a positive impact in your business. It must be strategic and proactive.

Here are five principles you should apply, to become a better networker.

1. Drop the "What is in for me attitude"?: We all know that the main aim of business networking is to get more people interested in your product and service but that should not be the main focus whenever you are in a networking meeting or forum. As I said earlier, the relationship has to be mutually beneficial, meaning that just as you want something from someone, that person also wants something from you, and as the Good Book says, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" so your main focus should be what I have to give before I receive.

2. Participate fully in all network activities: It is very common to see in a meeting or organization where some people criticize anything their leaders do, but when you call on then to lead they refuse and they hardly volunteer whenever the need arises. This is a very bad attitude for a business networker. A much as possible, you should participate in all activities and functions. It is not all relationships that you will benefit from but you have a lot more to gain from developing relationships that you loose from being on your own.

3. Build relationships: Sometime we make mistakes thinking that networking is all about meeting people, exchanging business cards and after the event, the cards end up in your drawers or worse, in the trash. This is not business networking. You have to get to know people, make friends with them, complement them when necessary and call them up to know how they are doing from time to time. This will help to build relationships between you and your clients.

4. Be the first to give referrals: Still on the point of giving before receiving. Be the first to give referrals before expecting to receive. When you give, you inspire that person to want to give also and like they say, what goes around comes around. I can assure you, it would come around.

5. Listen: Communicating is not a one way street. To be a good communicator, you have to be good in both talking and listening, one cannot work without the other. Imagine you ask someone how the expansion of his business is going and he tells you all about what he is doing and blabs a whole lot more and before you know it, he asks your opinion on a particular issue. You are dumbfounded, not because you don't understand but because you were not listening to what he was saying not even a bit. Imagine how hurt such a person will feel and this can actually destroy your relationship with that person and you never know how many people he can tell about the terrible listener you are.

With this few facts, I hope you will start thinking about being a good business networker, it is not easy, because it pays.


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