There is a fine line between Loitering and Hanging-around. Sometimes it is hard to tell the difference. Networking on the other hand you can see from a mile away.
Just being in a room chatting with your fellow business people is often confused with networking. Has your office mate ever told you: Oh man, you should have been there, I met a thousand people and passed out a ton of cards...what an awesome networking event!! Enthusiasm aside, this chap was loitering in a room full of people and from the sound of his rant he probably needs a mint to mask the commission breath.
If you are a networker you would probably answer: Actually I was there too, I met a handful of outstanding professionals and got their cards.
A networker doesn't thrust his card into the outstretched hand, he shakes that hand and develops a relationship. He looks for opportunities to deepen that relationship with a call and a hand written note. He actually takes the time to listen to the the professional standards and services that his new potential networking partner possesses to see if there is a match as opposed to crowing about his own experience, products and services.
Networking is mutual. A relationship built on mutual respect and mutual need that benefits both parties.
I have to run to a meeting so I will build on this in a future post.
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