"It's who you know." Perhaps you've been told this throughout your professional career. It's used to emphasize the impact a network's influence can influence their career or even their entire life.

Networks can be extremely powerful regardless of age or the level of your life that you're currently in. Think about the teachers and coaches who showed interest in you. Or family members, friends and colleagues who you can depend on. Perhaps you had a teacher whom you looked up to, or one who offered guidance. Even later in life, relationships can help us grow. If we have the proper professionally-focused network we will save money or expand our business or build stronger capabilities for ourselves. A good relationship with reliable, knowledgeable counsel in the areas of legal and financial contractors, lawyers, and mechanics can make life simpler, safer, and (probably) more affordable. As accountants with experience are able to make your business more successful by using their expertise and experience, a vast, well managed network of experts in your field will make your career more productive by leveraging their skills and connections. It works in both ways naturally and you can provide expertise and connections in exchange.

The presence of people whom you trust and who will discuss their knowledge and brainstorm with you as well as introduce you to potential customers could speed up your way to success. It's also satisfying to repay the favor by offering introductions and suggestions for other people.

It is true that forming and maintaining a community requires time. Building and maintaining relationships or bonds in the professional world requires dedication and commitment. Like you wouldn't request a new acquaintance to do something you'd just ask a longtime acquaintance, the more better your network is constructed and cultivated, the more it can be relied upon in times of need. Similar to planning for a rainy day it's not a matter of waiting until the first rain drops fall before beginning. Certain people are naturally networkers. They seem to be in contact with all of the people around them, and they seem to be familiar with them. However, for the majority people, it's actually a deliberate, conscious effort to become acquainted with people.

It's not just a two-way road, or a calculated score card for trades that are reciprocal. It's a continual method of being aware and providing value to the people who are part of your network regardless of whether they can help you at the time. To certain people in your network you'll provide more than what you receive. If you are in a network with others that are influential or are in a position to assist you, the reverse may be the case. In the first case, give to others; to the other, show gratitude.

Professionally and personally building and expanding my network has changed my life. My team and I came up with the idea of launching the website to assist the women who are entrepreneurs and investors, and professionals share their experiences and establish connections. We're building a community which provides information, tips on webinars, podcasts and other events to make collaboration and contributions effortless and rewarding. We did this because networks require time to create and they can become stale when they're not properly maintained. The platform will make both easier.

While certain platforms may simplify networking, they can also help you to follow some of the best techniques. Here are a few suggestions to help you get started.

5 Tips for Successful Relationship Building

1. Broaden your horizons but be selective in what you save. Be open to making contact with new people whenever an opportunity presents itself. If you have more people you meet, you are more likely to discover good candidates to join your network.
2. Do not stop at business card exchanges or 30 second explanations of people or businesses. Be curious, ask questions, demonstrate an interest and search for areas of common interest or expertise. Make introductions into discussions that establish the foundation for contact over time and building relationships. Keep these relationships going with regular communication. An instant phone call or email, particularly one that inquires about something that you have been discussing, keeps the conversation moving.
3. Find ways to help others. Conversations you begin and the conversations you engage in will help build a long-lasting connection and the basis for future friendship. Understanding the challenges encountered by people who are part of your network and what they're trying to accomplish can help you discover opportunities to provide your knowledge or connections.
4. In the process of forming an effective management or sports team, you should look for people that complement your talents, knowledge, expertise and connections and - equally important - those have the skills, knowledge, experiences, and connections complement.
5. Make use of your contacts by inviting your contacts for permission to make acquaintances with their friends. A warm introduction from an acquaintance will help increase the credibility and credibility of your contact.

Note that the one "ask" I've suggested is the final thing on this list. A large, deep and active network of contacts developed and maintained with care through your efforts will bring you a lot more. This includes lasting relationships, informal experts the advice of whom you can count on, and powerful colleagues who can assist you to tackle challenges and meet your goals.