Everybody knows that networking is growing in popularity. There are social networking sites like MySpace, www.myspace.com FaceBook www.facebook.com and Business networking site suchas LinkedIn. www.linkedin.com  Business networking expert, Hank Blank, www.hankblank.com offers these tips on why networking is even more important in these recessionary times.

First, learn what is happening in your market from the streets and not the newspapers.   “Although the news can be all bad I hear about jobs all the time,” said Hank Blank of Blank and Associates and prominent networking expert. What you hear on the street by meeting with people is often more current on the employment situation and business opportunities in your area.  If you are connecting with a lot of people regularly you will have a better sense of what is out there than reading the newspaper.”

“Networking in these times forms a better long term bond with people.  Anxious times can create greater honesty and affinity as people can be more forthcoming and direct,” said Hank Blank.

“Remember the 75/75 rule.  Seventy five percent of jobs are found through relationships and 75% of all business engagements are found through networking from referrals you know rather than going on the internet and e mailing strangers,” said Hank Blank.

“To get those referrals you have to know people and you won’t get to know people by just sitting at your computer.  It is all about contact and touch and being a resource for people.  That is why my approach to networking is “How to Get More by Asking for Less and Doing More for others,” said Blank.

“Although we all network primarily for financial currency which translates to finding new jobs and new clients, remember networking in these times builds your social currency. Social currency is your relationship with people and in the long run your social currency is more valuable as your financial currency.  Remember to help people in transition because when they land they will remember your efforts and you will have a powerful connection.” said Blank

“When your attend a lot of networking events you increase your industry relevance in these changing times because you learn a lot about current topics and trends in your industry.  Networking simply makes you smarter and current in this exponentially changing information age,” said Hank Blank.

About Hank Blank and Blank and Associates

Blank and Associates provides a variety of Marketing Services for clients. It’s founder and President, Hank Blank is a well known networker in Southern California and has spoken to numerous companies and organizations on networking. Most recently he was the keynote speaker for Volvo of North America’s Leadership Guild in Cabo San Lucas.  To have Hank Blank speak to your company or organization on the power of networking or to buy his networking CD at a ridiculously low price of $37 e mail hank@hankblank.com or visit www.hankblank.com