For all the literature focused on the mechanics of business-to-business networking, the process is actually quite simple.

The major ingredient is time, salted with a friendly personality and sweetened with mutual consideration for the other person. If you overwork it, you’ve missed the point. Think back to when you were pumping the swings at the playground so many years ago. You’ll remember that children inherently understand the mutual give-and-take that occurs when two tykes exchange introductions and then head for the swings in a contest of who can swing the highest.

Almost everything you need to know about business networking is right there in full view as those children play. The ironic thing is that so many people overwork it. They gravitate to techniques and procedures, but these stratagems have no inherent life in them. It’s true that adding a measure of organization to the process can be helpful. Keeping track of your contacts is a must to ensure your connections aren’t neglected. But that’s not what brings the interchange to life.

It’s a relational exercise in which two parties exchange information, follow up with an email, phone conversation or in-person meeting, and begin the process of exploring the potential for mutual benefit.

With so many people focused on finding the perfect networking technique, many miss the forest for the trees. The point of networking is to make friends with those people who share your interests. You may ask, “Isn’t the point of networking about trading business cards, setting a follow up date to discuss shared interests and getting down to brass tacks?”

Yes and no. In truth business networking is so much more than that!

It’s about friendship — friendship that encompasses both the personal and the professional aspects of life. When those two realms come together, phenomenal business deals are just around the corner. Bring your networking to life with sincerity, transparency and a love for people.

Copyright (2014): All content and images used on this site are owned or licensed by Doug Gulbrandsen for use on this site only. Unauthorized use is prohibited.