Networking is founded on building relationships. What better way to build a relationship than by being of service to your business partner 
or colleague and they, in turn, are also of service to you. This exchange or giving to one another is called reciprocity and is a very powerful tool in building and keeping your network of contacts and connections.
I recently ran across an excellent article on this subject by Harrison Monarth called, “Harness the Power of Gratitude with the Reciprocity Technique.” This is an excellent article, which I invite you to read. It contains a wealth of useful information.
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Reciprocity is a great tool for networkers. It is an especially powerful tool for those who are nervous about networking and meeting new people. Imagine yourself going to a networking event palms sweating, teeth chattering, and a sense of dread in the pit of your stomach. You know that you have to go inside and meet 5 new people to help you move your business forward.
This is indeed a terrifying thought that routinely inhibits all nervous networkers.
Instead, picture yourself going to the same event. But now your goal is not to meet 5 new people to advance your business, but to find 5 people that you can help in some way, for free. Things like introducing them to someone who would be a good partner or client for them. Or sharing the giveaway from one attendee with another who can really use the item. Suddenly the pressure to perform changes entirely. Now you are focused on helping people, with no expectations of return, instead of on finding clients. But oddly enough, clients will flock to someone who is giving. And the law of reciprocity kicks in when these people you just helped want to help you find the cllients you need.
I’d say that’s a win-win for all involved.
.-= Dave Meyer – Denver DISC Specialist´s last blog ..3 Questions To Ask A Leader =-.
I completely agree and have been using that as my motto since I started in my own business – and probably even before. I am a relationship type of person. Part of this is the blogging buddies list I created. And here I am replying to your blog.
As soon as you bring fear into your business – fear that if you give too much information to a person in the same kind of business as you that you will lose something – you have already lost.
Thank you for bringing relationship back into business. Judith
.-= Judith Auslander´s last blog ..Nearly Christmas and BBC is getting rougher =-.
I agree with the article. It is a two way street and not one way. However, with today, so many people just want to receive and not give back and I have had that happen to me. However, I do not feel bad at all for being helpful or showing gratitude because it came from the heart and not for a motive.