This Networking Nugget has been taken from "Networking Magic" by Robyn Henderson.

Some of the best networkers you know have been practicing and learning for years. Don't be discouraged if you don't seem to be making progress. Networking is like growing a flower. You plant a number of seeds, initially you see nothing. Then a few sprouts here and there and one day your flower blooms. If you keep looking after your networks your flowers keep blooming for years to come.

Great networkers always keep in touch with a couple of people from their previous jobs. It may only be a birthday card, occasional phone call or lunch. However, all of these people form part of their powerful network.

If you have been slack at keeping in touch, you may like to identify 2-3 people at your previous 2 jobs (or dept’s you worked in) and make contact - obviously phone is easiest. Prepare for the call by listing a few names of others in the company you remember well and may ask about and also a couple of interesting things that may have happened in your life since you left. Once you complete the call, add their names and contact details to your Christmas card list if appropriate.

Always act in a professional manner. In competitive markets, professionalism wins every time. If you make a commitment, honour it.

Follow up always. If you have promised to get back to a client at 4pm with information and you can't meet that deadline, call anyway. Explain your situation. Volume business is lost today by people not following up.