Recommended reading : Business Networking Can Be Taught. (by Byham, William C.)

For years, people in business bragged about the size of their rolodexes, which contained the names and vital information about people who could provide business-related information and share business contacts—the crucial data needed to make good decisions, avoid pitfalls, handle new challenges, and decrease six degrees of separation to two. The computer has replaced the rolodex, but the need to have a group of people who can help in different circumstances is larger than ever. Now they are called "business networks." A business network is a collection of people, preferably with a broad array of experience and knowledge, to which an individual is connected and with which the individual is in periodic contact. Ideally, any member of this network would answer an email request for help within 24 hours. The last criterion is particularly important. You don't have a network unless the people in your network come through when you need them. A business network is not built with a single email exchange or by meeting someone at a convention. Its quality cannot be measured by the number of friends on Facebook or connections on LinkedIn. It's a more personal relationship, usually involving at least one face-to-face meeting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of T+D is the property of American Society for Training & Development and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bch&AN=50256396&site=ehost-live