Chambers have networking events where you sit with the same people every month or worse yet you site with your coworkers! Other groups set meetings and remind you to "bring lots of business cards". When was the last time you were told to come to a networking event for the fun of it? When you go with an agenda of collecting cards or in search of prospects you get a bunch of cards and people who don't want to take your calls.

Instead of collecting cards start asking questions. Find out how you can help them, not sell them! Maybe it's an introduction they need or a referral for a tutor for their son. When you become a valuable resource you become the person they turn to when they need your service or product.

This is just the first step. Next time you're at a "networking" event start asking questions. Then come back for the next step.

Cracking the Connection Code is here to help you build business relationships that go beyond the collecting and is more focused on building connections that really count. You can have thousands of cards or hundreds of connections with people who know you and are there to help you when you call. Just like you'll be there when that call pops up on your phone.