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Networks work, just in case you still have doubts. As a business executive, one of your primary roles is to infuse new clients or customers into your business. This is easier said than done. One of the most effective ways to do this is to network. Networks bring in new business. If you think building your network is just about exchanging business cards, then you are gravely mistaken.

Before you can begin with this exciting task, it is important that you have the right set of skills to make your experience and that of your potential new customers, clients or acquaintances more delightful.

For starters, you do not have to be a people person or a great public speaker to become a good networker. You may find comfort in the fact that most business people develop a certain level of confidence in dealings with other people over time. So if you are not that back-slapping, outgoing, always smiling kind of a person, you can still form meaningful networks. With a little practice and lots of confidence, you can start you way into building a network of customers, vendors or professional associations.

You can start this network by becoming the host of your organization. Before you shut down the proposal for fear of not being able to pull it through, this is actually a technique that can make the process markedly, well, easier. For instance, you can volunteer your office meeting room to a group of visiting foreigners who are looking for business opportunities. If you are wondering how this hosting job can make life easier, just think about this. You do not have to send out invitations, all you have to do is engage them, perhaps offer them something to drink or munch on and then exchange business cards. If that is not easy, try standing by yourself in one corner of a room full of people you do not know in a place that is not a comfort zone. By being the host, you effectively become the main person of the event without much effort. Think about it. You will find that hosting is much easier to meet and talk to new people.

If you just cannot find the time to attend face-to-face events, why don’t you use the power of technology. The web is full of social networking sites that you can take advantage of. Without ever leaving your desk, you can set out to meet new prospects or referral sources. You can either use networking sites like Facebook, Friendster or microblogging sites like Twitter.

The limitations however, with online networking is it does not provide for a forum for relationships to deepen. In other words, it may be a cost effective strategy since it will not involve travel or hosting but online networking does not give the same personal touch as would a face-to-face interaction.

Ideally, it is usually better to use online networking only after a relationship has been established. This is what would sustain the relationship after exchanging business cards in a meeting or convention or after a chance encounter at a local grocery. This goes without saying that trust is developed through personal engagements that would provide the opportunity for a handshake or a pat on the shoulder and then an exchange of the business card printing material.

You see how easy that was? As mentioned earlier, networking is not about being the man-about-town; it is about building a trusting and mutually beneficial relationships between you and those you meet every day.