People express their individuality when they are camping in many different ways.
This is not at all the most unusual campsite adornment. But it got me to thinking about my sister in law. For the past several years (ok, probably about 10 years) I have been giving her frog related items for her birthday, and Chanukah. Should I move on?
Can you really carry a gift theme too far?

I know I want to blog. I have lots of opinions, and lots of interests. So I invite you, my friends to converse with me about all sorts of things.
What are you reading?
What are you cooking?
Where are you travelling to?
Any tips on dog training?
Let's chat!

So, just what do you do with all those business cards?
In the beginning of my networking journey, I filed them, alphabetically, in the same box that my business cards came in. I have since outgrown that box and have developed a new system.
1) As I leave an event, or when I get home from the event, I will take a few minutes to write on the back of the card, my impressions of the person that gave it to me. Notes like: introduce this person to John B. Mutual interests (boating, cheesecake, both hate networking, etc.)
2) As soon as possible, but not more than 1 day after, separate the cards with notes from the pack, file them in 'the notebook.'
3) The Notebook: this is an old 3 ring binder from one of my son's school days (trapper keeper). Each Networking group has a separate section in the notebook, there is some paper in there that I use to keep notes about the event, where it was, what kind of event it was, what I thought of the speaker, and any thing else I would like to remind myself of.
4) I recently met someone that makes copies of all the cards he gathers, uploads the information into an 'ACT' style database and includes extensive notes about each person he spoke to. He has 3 office style file drawers filled with binders, containing all the business cards he gathered in the last 30 years. Indexed. With comments.
5) I also recently met someone that uses a photo album as a file system. This works very much like my notebook system.
Whatever your method of filing these important scraps of someone's life, do not simply discard or recycle the business cards you gather. You never know when you will need to contact the person that sells specialized doodads for someone you just met at a networking event that is looking for specialized doodads!

Just as there are many different kinds of Networker, there are also many different kinds of Networking Event.
Your Company Networking Event: This could be as formal (professional dress code) or in-formal (Holiday party anyone?) as your company is. If everyone comes to work on a daily basis in suites & ties, and/ or suites & heels, then your Company Event will be more of a formal nature, all intra-office rules apply. Don't think every Company Network Event is another office party! If alcohol is served, by all means -- limit your intake! Bring your ideas! Do not bring negativity! Bring the answers, someone may be listening.
A Social Network Event: These regularly meet at a local restaurant or other relaxed venue with hors d'ouevres and coctails available. Bring plenty of business cards, a small appetite and socialize, socialize, socialize! At the last Social Network Event I attended (at a local Chili's Restaurant,) I chatted with a local judge, a housepainter and the chairman of the local social action committee at the same time! That was a lively and very friendly conversation.
A Professional Organization Network Event: i.e. IAAP. There are many very different professional groups out in Network-land, some are gripe sessions (you can tell within minutes if you have wandered into a gripe-fest). Most are extremely informative and supportive groups of people with the same goals as you, basically all attendees are striving to be successful in the chosen field. These events are similar in nature to the Company Networking group, the caveat being that all "forensic accountants" don't work at the same company, but they all have stories to share and learn from, of course, never breaking professional confidentiality.
Then you have the Professional Executive Network: This is perhaps my most favorite group to meet with. I have attended several different PEN groups and find there are two separate formats for this style of Networking group.
The first is a buy-in group, you pay a membership fee, there is no exclusivity (you could have 3 graphic designers and 4 dry cleaners in the same group.) They have group activities as well as the regular Networking meetings. There are several nationally sponsored groups of this style and they are very successful.
The second group I have attended has been as an invited guest. This was a very intimate, warm group of business owners and professionals with success for everyone the group's goal. It is exclusive in that there will be only one of each business type as a member. What I mean is that there is one Web Designer, one Business Consultant or only one Virtual Assistant (if they will have me! hint hint). Everyone brings one invited guest to the regularly scheduled meeting, you get a very real opportunity to learn all you need to know about each person involved. My best referrals have come from this group!  

How many kinds of Networkers are there?
To begin with you need to understand what you want to get out of networking. 
 Are you looking for a job?
Are you looking for investors for your start up business?
Does your interest lie in building your business? Or in building your employers business?
Would you consider your self an introverted networker or an extrovert networker?
Yes, these are all very different kinds of Networkers, with very different views on networking.
In the next few weeks, I hope to address these as well as what kinds of Networks are out there?
For the Job Seeker: Yes, Networking is a very necessary evil these days. You could always rely on the 'cattle call' of a Job Fair, but you just do not have time to connect with a recruiter at them. If you are fortunate enough to connect with an H.R. person, please remember that he or she will be seeing many others and you need to significantly stand out from the crowd.
Quite often, when you find a Networking group that focuses on job seekers and prospective employers, there will be a publicised list of participating companies. Don't just focus on a single company (unless they hold your dream job and you have an 'in'), corporate personnel will attend similar events, so if you are looking at ACME Financial, you might also find Other Financial attending as well. Chances are good that Other Financial will have a similar position in the near future.
A note on Social Networking for the Job Seeker: Be wary of connecting your Twitter account to your LinkedIn site, Companies are looking at LinkedIn sites for information on you, are you sure you want them to read everything you tweet about?

More on Networking Basics next week.
;D

Hello,
I have long believed that "if you have something to say, and no one gets hurt, then just SAY IT!"
This will be my place to do just that. I hope no one gets hurt, and that someone - somewhere, learns a bit from my many years of experience.
I am in my mid-50's, have been independently employed for several months, and have lots to share.
Please join me in this journey.
;D