{"id":4695,"date":"2010-04-08T07:31:15","date_gmt":"2010-04-08T12:31:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/37d57f8fa2.nxcli.io\/blog\/?p=4695"},"modified":"2010-04-01T19:27:29","modified_gmt":"2010-04-02T00:27:29","slug":"networking-reciprocity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marketingforsuccess.com\/blog\/small-business-marketing\/networking\/networking-reciprocity\/","title":{"rendered":"The #1 Rule of Business Networking"},"content":{"rendered":"

In life, we all try to get things from each other; that\u2019s how the world works and has always worked. From ancient times, we have been a people who belonged to tribes and clannish groups. We built societies in which we lived, worked and raised families together.<\/p>\n

In these societies, each member had specific roles that he\/she performed and contributed for the benefit of the group. As a part of life, we gave to and helped each other. And, we also received.<\/p>\n

Networks operate on similar principles. When it comes to networking, an implied promise exists that \u201cIf you help me, I\u2019ll help you.\u201d This implied promise is the bond upon which networks and \"networking<\/a>societies are built. Without the assurance of reciprocal help, many network members would not give. In networking, reciprocating, returning favors and giving back is not merely expected, it\u2019s demanded; it\u2019s the price you pay to be a network member.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn a competitive environment, when we use and exploit each other and take everything we possibly can from network resources, we create a non-sustainable resource that collapses on itself because people feel used,\u201d Bernhard Dohrmann, co-founder of IBI Global, Inc., explains.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn a cooperative network, you reward everyone who helps you appropriately for the degree and level of the help received. Sometimes, it\u2019s a thank you or a gift and sometimes it\u2019s stock, fees or money. There should always be a reward for a contact that made a benefit to you. If you have a benefit, you should give a reward of one kind or another including recognition. Those are sustainable networks that will not collapse on themselves, they will always supernetwork and expand during your lifetime.\u201d<\/p>\n

Network members are realists. They understand that most requests have more than one motive. They know that the reason given may not be all there is. They also know too well that many good intentioned individuals don\u2019t or can\u2019t follow through and deliver what they promised.<\/p>\n

Realists accept the fact that folks get busy, face other demands and simply forget. What they won\u2019t abide; however, is repeated, out-and-out exploitation by those whom they have helped because networking involves giving and taking, not exploiting.<\/p>\n