The takers

The takers, givers, and brokers

To be successful in networking you need to know your networks, know yourself, know your business, and know your goals and your audience. But most importantly you need to know what type of networker you are and what is the best way for you to make the most of your networking capabilities and circles.

The art of networking has many types; some of the main ones are the takers, givers, and the brokers. The Takers are the ones that have their best interest at heart, the ones that are putting themselves first, and always and constantly not beating around the bush to get what they want. Takers are also trying to get other people to serve you while carefully guarding their own expertise and time.

The givers in networking are the ones that are constantly matching, linking, and generously helping and supporting others through networking. Givers, through networking are linking themselves with positive reinforcements and positive energy. Givers do not want anything in return, and are staying true to the act of goodwill by doing their best to add value to their connections and help.

Brokers are networking individuals, who choose to negotiate and broker deals with networking, opting to help others after they have been given help, or offer to assist and connect others after they have been assisted. They exercise their networking capabilities only and when it is in their favor and benefit. This type of networking is usually inconsistent and reactive, depending on the energy of others to be initiated.

And as networkers we are making daily decisions about whether we are takers givers, or brokers. Givers are by far the most authentic and most powerful networking approach. As Givers you are offering assistance, sharing knowledge, and making valuable introductions. Company owners and start ups should have a strong interest in fostering giving behavior through networking, and create a willingness to help others achieve their goals lies at the heart of effective collaboration, innovation, quality improvement, and service excellence. Benefits can multiply quickly as a giver and the reputation of generous behavior comes back in different elements such as business, marketing, and karma.