Happy New Year! Welcome to 2007.

With the new year comes that feeling of a fresh start. A chance to start with a clean slate and make something happen. What will you make happen for yourself this year? How will networking play a role for you?

Networking is powerful because of the opportunities that will come your way because of the relationships you've built. Relationship building is an ongoing process. You'll need to build new relationships and grow your existing relationships. Doing that will be a lot easier if you have a plan. Do you have a plan?

You might want to start with a goal. It could be a certain number of new relationships, a target number of referrals or a weekly or monthly number of events you'd like to attend.

How will you get there? Decide how you'll meet the new people you'll build relationships wtih or which meetings and events you'll attend regularly.

Successful networking is like farming. It doesn't work if you put a lot of energy into it in January and February and neglect your crop for the rest of the year. You'll need to apply consistent effort over a long period of time. Come up with your own strategy to nurture your network of opportunities. Make sure it's a plan that you can easily maintain over the long haul (think MANY years).

May your 2007 be your best year ever!

Happy networking!

Scott Ingram
NetworkInAustin.com