My Favorite Commandments Of Business Networking

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Diane Helbig is a staff writer for “Small Business Trends” and an internationally recognized business and leadership development consultant, author, speaker, radio show host, and workshop facilitator. Her 2015 article, “The 59 Commandments of Business Networking” is gold. She states, “Business networking is one of the most effective marketing and prospecting tools you can use to grow your business Done incorrectly, it can actually be harmful to your business.” I couldn’t agree more.

Types of Networkers

We’ve all seen various networkers in our spaces. There’s what I refer to as the “blackjack dealer” who makes it their mission to get their business card and/or marketing materials in every person’s hands. Then we have the “narcissistic networker” who makes the entire conversation about them, their business, and how great they are. There’s also the “serial networker” who is at every function, every event, every networking opportunity and everyone knows their name and face, but never truly connects or knows exactly what they do. The “wallflower” shows up, but sits in the corner or only hangs out with their small circle they know and never reaches out to meet anyone new. Finally, we have the “authentic networker” who is intentional and focused on helping others. They’ve developed a reputation of trust and reciprocity and they always try to add value with every interaction they have. With that in mind, after reading through Helbig’s article, I’d like to highlight a few key points for networking at events, referral groups, and social settings.

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