The Value of Networking

Michael Rinaldi

If there is one facet of being in business that often times gets overlooked, under-utilized, or is totally blown, it's networking. 

definitions:

1. Expanding one's social network or sphere of influence by initiating mutually advantageous new relationships with people.  
2. Connecting with people of like interests for the purpose of uncovering opportunities, identifying landmines and learning of best practices.  
3. Meeting people who can be of help to you and being a help to them.  
4. Process of finding out about potential clients from friends, business contacts, co-workers, acquaintances, and fellow members in professional and civic organizations 

It's different than socializing. Much different. Socializing is the equivalent to taking a passenger seat at a social function and thoughtlessly or carelessly abdicating the taking time to make oneself known, gather information, meet important people, forge relationships, promote one's services, etc. to passe dialogue and thinking you're expanding your sphere of influence or doing something for your business.

Far too often, I believe, most people in business overlook that the word "work" is in networking. They also fail to appreciate what can happen as a result of persistent networking with intention.

I was never really a social person in the respect that I needed to be popular for the sake of being popular or that I had to be "in" with certain crowds. I naturally felt as though I should hang with whomever I either felt comfortable with or I resonated with. To do otherwise, I thought was simply showing affinity for someone under false pretenses (i.e. being fake). I like people, but in general, had failed to appreciate the value of networking until later in life, although my father was an absolute master of it.

I'll explain why people fail at this incredibly useful function, but first an incredible story to highlight one of my points.

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