What is Networking?

What is networking? Merriam-Webster defines it as “the exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions; specifically: the cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business.” But if you’re like me this immediately brings up the idea of a stuffy hotel conference room, people in business suits wearing name tags, making small talk and exchanging business cards. Sure, now they are hosted at cooler places, but still. I know I don’t go to those things and find them to be torture.

My observation with those typical kinds of networking situations is that you have 2 types of people there: 1) Sales people looking to find their next lukewarm sales call instead of cold-calling, or 2) People looking desperately for a job, seeking anyone they can sell themselves to. Herein lies the problem. Everyone is in it for themselves. There’s no cultivation of a relationship. There’s only “what’s in it for me.” And if everyone goes in for selfish reasons, everyone leaves with nothing.

I often get asked how to network when you work from home. It’s not really any different from how you would network in the office, if you truly understand what networking is about. For a network to take shape, it takes… WORK! It’s in the root of the word! It’s so obvious!

Networks must be about giving more than taking. How much do you like being with that coworker or friend that always forgets their wallet or relies on you for everything? At some point, you burn out. So, don’t be that person in your networking relationships. Oh, and every relationship is a networking relationship!

Too many people think that networking is about some formal engagement and must be with people either at their company or in their field. This could not be further from the truth! Each and every interaction has the potential to go from casual to meaningful if you treat it as such. This means your neighbors, your volunteer organizations, your friends, you coworkers, you church, your whatever! Why? Well, you never know when that florist you talk to at your volunteer gig each day is best friends with the hiring manager of the firm you are applying to! Or maybe they worked at the company or in the field you are interested in previously. Or they know of some great book or mentor or other connection that proves to be what you need to get where you want to be. The more real connections you have, the more opportunities await.

More importantly, however, is your participation in those engagements. How much are you helping others? How much are you giving back to the community and people in your network? How much as you branding yourself in your journey? You have to work at yourself and cultivating the relationships. Only if you water your “network” will it actually grow into one. Your garden won’t grow just because you want it to!

How does this change when you work at home? It doesn’t. It goes back to networking being WORK. Are you actively participating in work and community activities where you are giving more than taking? It’s just that simple. You can’t join a group and ride its coattails. You can’t sit on the sidelines and expect magic by proximity. Give and you shall receive.