Link: Give and you shall receive.
Good advice from this article on networking. It's interesting to think of the idea of every person becoming his or her own “business” - since people are changing jobs more frequently, people are in a way becoming free agents, or independent contractors. As a business, you need to develop and grow as well as market yourself – and the best way to do that is through growing and working your network.
It's important to realize that there's more to networking than just going out for drinks or collecting business cards at a conference. Real networking is about helping others. Becoming a resource for someone. Giving someone a referral. Introducing them to a new idea, a good book, new technology, helpful contact, and yes, a job opportunity. There's a lot to be said about the power of generosity and reciprocity.
In addition to suggestions in the article, becoming a part of the blogosphere and online networking makes it so much easier now. I also recommend Tim Sander's Love is the Killer App - How to Win Business and Influence Friends and David Teten's and Scott Allen's The Virtual Handshake - Opening Doors and Closing Deals Online.
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