We All Have Something to Offer

I was at my friend Brian's birthday dinner last weekend and ran into Susana [not her real name] whom I only see once a year, at Brian's yearly birthday dinner.

Susana (an HPNG member) said, "sorry I haven't been to the networking events but I don't feel I have anything to offer. "

gasp! What?! Susana works for a huge entertainment company as their PR Director. Nothing to offer? I said, "sharing advice, tips, stories (even bad ones) are always helpful to others."

Networking is not only for developing leads for sales. A network, like your friends, are a resource, a sounding board and sometimes a reality check. A good network is built over time and developed through trust. The sales will happen if, like a friend, you're trusted and you have what they need.

This doesn't mean everyone in the network will become your buddy. But for those with whom you've developed relationships over time, it can mean that you're a solid, reputable person that one can do business with.

We ALL have something to offer.