“The only difference between where you are right now, and where you’ll be next year at this time, are the people you meet and the books you read.”

–  Charlie “Tremendous” Jones, author of Life Is Tremendous

Networking. The ability to skillfully network may be one of the most valuable wealth building tools available to anyone. Wealth meaning more than money. A wealth of connections and relationships. A wealth of resources and knowledge. A wealth of contacts and their contacts.

The reality is most people do not understand how valuable networking is to their professional and personal lives.

Here are the 3 keys to creating your successful networking process:

1.  There is a need to focus on the purpose of the networking. This will determine where to network.

2.  A networking plan and strategy must be created. This must include a method of both capturing names and information from attending networking events and facilitating methods of follow up after the networking events.

3.  An understanding of the fact that in order to network effectively it must be understood and carried forward that networking is not about yourself. Networking is about the other person.

A discussion of the 3 keys to creating a successful networking process:

FIRST –

Okay, our first point – why you are networking and this will determine where you should be going to network.

• Looking for a job?
• Seeking to sell a product or a service?
• Looking for an employee to hire?

Each of these should determine where you go to network.

For example, if you are a chiropractor, you should not be just networking with fellow chiropractors. Maybe once or twice a year at an event or a convention to learn new techniques. You are probably not going to obtain new business referrals from other chiropractors. You might consider health fairs, or events where yoga or other workout folks are or nutrition focused events.

Let’s consider a person who is seeking a job. Should they network with other people who are seeking a job? Maybe once in awhile. This will probably not be helpful. Instead where are the people going who might be in the business or field where they wish to be hired. Attend these networking meetings.

SECOND –

The second point is to create a networking plan and strategy. This must include a method of both capturing names and information from attending networking events and facilitating methods of follow up after the networking events. This cannot be stressed enough. The majority of people never follow up after attending a networking event, or even in general networking and meeting with people.

THIRD –

The third point is to have an understanding of the fact that in order to network effectively it must be understood and carried forward that networking is not about yourself. Networking is about the other person. It is not about me. If we just start networking because we need something; it is not going to happen. Attending networking events is not like going to the store and selecting items off of the shelf.  This is about building relationships. At the end of the day, people want to do business with whom? People they know, like and trust. This networking is step one. You need to connect. See where there might be some common thread or an interest. This will assist in the relationship building.

Approach networking with the value and importance it will add to you in your entire life. The more effort you put into networking, the more you will obtain from it.

Mitch Tublin is an advanced certified executive and personal coach who resides in Stamford, CT.