Networking is more than a stack of business cards.  It involves identifying contacts and relationships with others who have similar interests, ideas and goals.  The purpose is to draw benefit from these relationships.  Networking benefits are usually of value to all the parties involved.

You don’t have to be a social animal to be a good networker.  But good social skills are critical for successful networking.  And networking goes beyond social skills.  It involves perceiving opportunities and identifying networking benefits.

For more information on this topic, see the links listed below of articles posted on related Web sites.

• How to Create and Use a Personal Network – Kansas State University Extension -- There are family, social, professional, political, civic or volunteer, and religious networks. Can you identify some networks that you already participate in?