In a tough job market， effective networking is key
Samantha Fitzgerald， a Florida tax attorney and mother of two， wants to make the right networking connections. But two-and-a-half-hour business lunches consume too much of her day， and evening programs cut into family time.
Fitzgerald says she has become selective in choosing groups "I give an organization a certain amount of time and if it doesn't work， I move on."
With job cuts expected to continue， more workers are ramping up* their networking efforts， trying to build relationships in these bleak times. Of course， widening circles isn't easy when our free time is already limited. But the financial climate requires us to shake off our unease and "schmooze" effectively.
Making contacts
Experts say if you think you don't have time to network， think again. Networking is one of the most profitable activities that can be incorporated into everyday life. The 103，000 members of BNI， the country's largest networking group， have made more than 5.5 million referrals* valued at more than $2.2 billion， the group says.
Career experts say creating and maintaining contacts should be strategic and focused. It is all about developing relationships with people who can advance your career or business rather than just collecting business cards.
"It's about knowing what you want to catch，" says John Remson， a legal marketing specialist.
Samantha Fitzgerald， a Florida tax attorney and mother of two， wants to make the right networking connections. But two-and-a-half-hour business lunches consume too much of her day， and evening programs cut into family time.
Fitzgerald says she has become selective in choosing groups "I give an organization a certain amount of time and if it doesn't work， I move on."
With job cuts expected to continue， more workers are ramping up* their networking efforts， trying to build relationships in these bleak times. Of course， widening circles isn't easy when our free time is already limited. But the financial climate requires us to shake off our unease and "schmooze" effectively.
Making contacts
Experts say if you think you don't have time to network， think again. Networking is one of the most profitable activities that can be incorporated into everyday life. The 103，000 members of BNI， the country's largest networking group， have made more than 5.5 million referrals* valued at more than $2.2 billion， the group says.
Career experts say creating and maintaining contacts should be strategic and focused. It is all about developing relationships with people who can advance your career or business rather than just collecting business cards.
"It's about knowing what you want to catch，" says John Remson， a legal marketing specialist.