Networking is four things: doing business, exchanging information, making appointments, and giving/getting support.
Make a list of 100 contacts and rank them:
- Group A — 10 vital contacts whose aid you need. Contact them within the year.
- Group B — contacts who may help in 3-5 years. See them periodically.
- Group C — keep in touch. They might help, hit or miss. About 75% of your list lives here.
- Group D — cross them off. They cannot help you, and they can hurt your career.
Then focus on friendship and success: a positive exchange of energy, good relationships, authentic giving and authentic receiving.
Questions to ask yourself about any relationship
- Are our value systems compatible?
- Are we interested in each other's activities?
- Do we confront each other over controversial personal issues?
- Do we respond to each other straightforwardly?
- Do we derive strength from our meetings?