How would you assess your effectiveness as a small business owner or executive in these critical areas of business development?

• I am a pro-active networker
• I maximize every networking opportunity by asking: Who do you know who...?
• I present myself in a way that is clear, succinct and generative
• I enjoy promoting and creating visibility for myself and my business
• I have a structure that is effective in organizing and promoting follow-ups
• I model a professional look that represents who I am and what I do
• I am satisfied with the bottom line outcomes of my networking efforts

If improving your skills in any of these areas would generate greater income, would you be interested? Most of us would answer yes. The question then is HOW?

First, networking needs to be defined. Lillian Bjorseth in her book Breakthrough Networking offers one of the best definitions for networking that I have read.

Networking is an active, dynamic process that links people into mutually beneficial relationships.

Business really is about relationships especially in today