networking:

... an event of purposeful information exchange; the primary purpose for which a network exists; an activity during which two or more contacts engage in building or maintaining relationships, as in business networking, likewise, in social networking.

A career development document published by Santa Barbara City College, Santa Barbara, CA, indicates that building or maintaining relationships is about communicating and interacting. The article states that networking is ... very hard work but it is done anyway because we all need mutual assistance and support (source of quote). The w-o-r-k end of the word network as a term of enterprise and economic development may turn out to be not so hard as skills are honed and one realizes the essential effectiveness of follow-up.

The essence of the .network mission statement is its advocacy for participants in The Network to engage in building and maintaining relationships with resource and service providers after using search tools and other resources we (who we are) freely provide. Resources include a guide to strategies and methods for effective business networking.

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amicable networking:

... purposeful information exchanges as they occur within the context of building or maintaining relationships in a friendly, informal manner. It means not putting others on the defensive. It means paying attention to when traditions need to be observed within certain groups and making oneself aware and attentive to prevailing networking event guidelines.

An amicable networker avoids giving the impression exaggerated sense of self-importance -- earmark of the disagreeable networker. Ben Franklin once said ... (to avoid becoming an amicable networker you must) by all means prevent the shining of others, for their Brightness may make yours the less distinguish'd (source of quote).

Savvy networkers recognize when events are strictly business.

Savvy business development networkers are alert to following guiding rule:

When meeting a contact for the first time, especially in a group, and seeking to build a working relationship, a business development networker typically has 20 seconds or less to hold their attention. Explain what you do in a manner that prompts questions.

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