Engagement One of the golden rules of networking is to engage, not broadcast. It's important to remember that you are seeking to build relationships with people by finding out what you have in common and finding rapport, not selling to them.
The more people feel as though you are talking at them and not giving them space in the conversation, the harder it will be to build those ever-vital relationships.
Enthusiasm Believe in yourself, want to be there and love every minute you spend engaging with the people around you. Take energy from your network and give it back in spades.
The moment you lose that enthusiasm for interaction, people will know and they won't want to spend time with you, let alone support or refer you.
E is also for...
Examples
If you're trying to help people understand what you do, give them examples where you have demonstrated your abilities successfully.
Excuses
Networking takes you out of your comfort zone and it's easy to find excuses not to go to an event, not to ask for referrals or help, not to open yourself up to be accountable. Don't.
Everyone
Everyone you meet, everyone you know has something to offer and you have something to offer them. Get to know them, build the relationship and find out what it is.
Empathy, Encouragement and Empowerment
Be there for other people, seek to give more than to take. Seek to understand what people are going through and be supportive of their goals.
Experience and Expertise
The perfect network has a diversity (see Networking Ds!) of expertise and experience. Bring yours to the table and ask people for the benefit of theirs. Environment Network according to the environment you find yourself in and create the right environment to help you achieve your goals. Don't seek, for example, to have in-depth conversations or ask for help in busy, crowded events. Extraordinary Conversations Stop pre-judging people or conversations! Be curious, let the ideas flow and see where it takes you. Thanks again for all of the excellent ideas on Facebook, my blog, Twitter and email. Contributors this month were Rebecca Allen, Sherrilyn Reynolds, Tim Houston, Arvind Devalia, Nigel Risner, William Buist, Ian Steel, Kap Varma, Jim Ewan, Faye Kilgour, Andrew Horder and Jo Parfitt. It's so much fun getting your ideas for this feature. Please send me your suggestions for Networking Fs for next time out. | 
