This a simple question and as always not necessarily a simple answer, so what is networking, and how can it benefit your business?

We know for many people networking is a necessary evil that they have to do for the business they represent, they don’t enjoy it they just participate because they have to.

For me, networking can and does help you meet a new circle of people, can help you be introduced to people you’d never have the opportunity to meet and can help you grow your business contacts thus developing your business.  In a nutshell, networking is the making of connections that can help you and your business, what it is not is the start of a sales process.  Put simply if you’re going to any networking event hoping to walk away with a sale you’ve gone with totally the wrong mindset, networking is not about pitching and I can’t say this strongly enough its about making new connections and keeping in touch with those you already know in a semi formal way.