Networking success: discover the tools you need to get to the top.(Credit Column)

Be honest. The last networking event you attended was probably about as exciting as watching paint peel. Striking up a conversation with a stranger is never easy, and as a result you've probably beard plenty of ho-hum conversations that went nowhere. The problem is that many people often approach networking as a forced activity, during which we repress our natural personality and energy, which decreases our personal effectiveness. But it doesn't have to be that way.

Networking plays an extremely important role in our lives. It has proven to be an effective way to find jobs, get promotions, gain customers, and make more money in business. We have actually been networking our whole lives. If you think about it, you will realize that discovering new restaurants, a good school system for your kids, and the right neighborhood in which to raise your family, are all usually the result of networking. The only difference is that business networking is arranged as a formal event, while personal networking usually occurs naturally as part of our day-to-day interactions with others.

What many people don't realize is that business networking is a skill. As such, anyone can develop the ability to network, regardless of his or her natural disposition. Once we think of networking as a skill, we realize that we can learn to network well. All it takes is practice and a bit of planning.

The Eight Tools to Become a Master at Networking

If you want to be successful in business, then you need to develop your ability to network. Below are eight simple tools anyone can use in order to develop the necessary skills and become a more effective networker.

1. Make a great first impression: Every time you meet someone new, think, "SHE is the key." S.H.E. stands for Smile/Handshake/Eye Contact. By greeting people with a genuine smile, a firm and friendly handshake, and direct eye contact, you set a positive tone and make the best first impression possible. And first impressions are what people remember.

2. Be a name-learning machine: Knowing someone's name demonstrates that you value the person and that you have differentiated him or her from the crowd. It says, "I remember you; you made a good impression on me." There is no better way to make others feel good about themselves and also to have a positive impression of you. One way to remember names more easily is to repeat the name after you are introduced, followed by, "It's nice to meet you," or a similar appropriate statement. In your mind, associate the name with someone else you know with that name, with a physical feature of the person you are meeting, or anything that will jog your memory at a later time.