I still remember the first time I walked into a Chamber of Commerce networking event. At least a hundred people circulated around the room, chatting and eating their lunches. Many obviously knew each other well. I, on the other hand, felt distinctly like an outsider. I spent most of that lunch trying hard not to be noticed. I know -- completely backward, right? I didn't yet know about the networking rule that I should "act like a host and not a guest." In other words, by making it my goal to make other people feel welcomed and comfortable, I automatically include myself as a part of the "in crowd."

Ironically, what works so well in the microcosm of a single Chamber luncheon, also applies to networking efforts in general.

If you wanted, you could spend every moment of every day networking. Unfortunately, this doesn't leave much time for the actual pursuit of business. To make our efforts both more effective and efficient, we have a variety of organizations and associations we can join. Again, so as not to spend all of our time networking, it's usually best to pick at most two or three groups in which to participate. I use the word "participate" intentionally. Just belonging isn't enough. If we want the group to work for us, we need to find some way to contribute to the group.

How do you go about doing that? Get active! Every single organization in which you could participate has some smaller subgroup which acts as the "host of the party." Whether it's the policy committee, the golf outing planning group, or the new member welcome wagon, they all act to serve the membership of the organization. By being a part of one of these subgroups, the general membership sees you as someone who values the organization and, by extension, the individual members themselves. You suddenly become someone they want to know.

Of course, you shouldn't take part in such a group if it means devoting so much time that your business will suffer. Often, though, the commitment ends up being no more than three or four hours per month. Some of that might even be time that you would have spent on the organization anyway. For example, if you attend the same monthly meeting on a regular basis, getting on the planning committee for that event will probably only mean investing an hour or two more. It also has the advantage of bringing you to the attention of the permanent staff of the organization. Remember they know pretty much everyone. They are the ones who can really make your networking efforts pay off.

The other neat thing? Most of the other people in these groups also "get it". They tend to be serious business people and know the value of good networking. They, like you, know the importance of joining a group because you expect you have something to contribute. By joining their committee, commission, or board, you've not only singled yourself out as a serious networker, but you've also made it easy for them to meet with you on a regular basis.

All business people share one thing in common. Time is the one precious non-renewable resource at our disposal. We need to make any expenditure of that time as efficient and effective as possible. So, "act like a host, not a guest" in all of your networking, whether it's a mixer or your membership in a organization. You'll be surprised at how much more you get out of both.

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