Everybody knows that professional networking is important, and everybody thinks it's pretty easy to do. Most people fail to realize that deliberate networking with the proper skills is crucial to your business success. Without these skills, you could actually damage your business.
You are constantly networking because you are always forming and nurturing relationships. From planned networking events, to networking groups, to casual contact in the community, and even within your own family, you are representing yourself and your business. You are showing you can be relied on, or not. You are demonstrating expertise in your field, or not. You are gathering resources, knowledge and ideas, or not.
This book is about being a Nurturing Networker. As a Nurturing Networker, you recognize that everyone is in a different place in their business and their life. You nourish them by promoting them to others. You support them by providing resources and ideas. You encourage them by inspiring them with confidence and courage. You genuinely care about the whole person: their business, their family, their hobbies, their dreams. It shows in your actions.
Why does being a Nurturing Networker matter? It matters because you want to make a positive impact in the world, and the only way you can do that is through your relationships. It matters because it is more satisfying to give to others than to always be grasping for what you want and need. When you are giving, what you need will come to you effortlessly. It matters because it will change the way you look at things, and your life will be richer.
As I was putting this book together I decided to include more than just my own skills and ideas. Of course I drew from my own experiences in networking, from starting out as a new business owner to leading networking groups. I gleaned knowledge from many networking authorities by reading their books and talking with them personally. I also wanted to reach out to my network and include their experiences and ideas as well, giving them an opportunity to share their gift with a wider audience. Through invitations in many networking group meetings, emails to my contact sphere, posts on forums, and requests in social media, I asked for personal networking stories or favorite tips. Many of those are included in the book.
Several people I have met at business seminars, through social media, and even through EzineArticles impressed me with their networking knowledge in certain specific areas, and I asked them to guest expert author a chapter each. I am especially grateful to them because they have added something to the book that I could not, thereby making it richer and more valuable. Take a look.
