The Rolling Stones had it down in their 1968 hit Sympathy for the Devil. But we are not talking about Lucifer or the Devil here – I am referring to all the folks out there who are waiting to be met - grasping for a mingle or looking for a friend. It is commonly called networking, and it is what happens when you get yourself out into the menagerie of events, business conferences, the community and just doing the everyday things we do.

Networking for business sake does not have to be a push and shove my way into your face type of thing – in fact, subtlety goes a long way to establishing a meaningful connection. A friend introducing a friend who has a need, who wants advice, or who is seeking a resolution to a problem, is something that can happen walking down Main Street.

How many realtors do you know that meet the new people in town? Now there is a resource. When was the last time you attended a Chamber After Hours event? That is a blatant banquet of possibilities. What about your trusted vendors? Who else do they deal with that may need additional services? What about the organizations where you might volunteer – or the Little League teams that your kids play on? If you are a church goer – coffee hour is perfect. All are casual opportunities to learn more about the people and businesses around you.

Networking lends itself to new business, but you have to be able to grasp the hour, feel comfortable enough to make the right transition in conversation and always follow up with an eMail or a note to reinforce the actual contact. Networks build over the years and while we are now in the generation of Facebook, LinkedIn, and Myspace; face to face social networking most frequently leads to the most meaningful business relationships.

Pleased to meet you.
Will you play my game?